Michelle07 - I will make the decisions about what is best for my daughter, and no one else. I am happy to listen to guidelines, but at the end of the day they are just that - "guidelines" not hard and fast rules.

We weaned my daughter early as the breast milk/formula combo wasn't providing enough nutrients any more as she was such an active baby and she started to descend down the height/weight centiles. When we started weaning, she dropped a little further, but has now bounced back and is hitting developmental mile stones months ahead of schedule. From the research I did at the time, I believe that the 6 month guideline from the WHO exists due to poor sanitation in 3rd world countries where there is more inherent danger in foods other than breast milk.

michelle07 there are many conflicting medical studies out there, the most important thing to bare in mind is how your baby reacts to new foods - also, if you don't want to come across as argumentative perhaps you should try to be more concise with your posts and leave smilies for less emotive topics

I'm sorry but that is unfair. Excluding quotes, which I'm sure she included so that people knew whcih post she was refering to, none of michelle07 posts were longer than a few lines, certainly far more concise than yours. Nikkiandneil doesn't have to justify herself if she doesn't want to, that's her right, but michelle07 also has the right to post as she sees fit. Also, in this forum the inclusion of smileys normally means that someone is trying very hard not to cause offense, they are after all, the only way we have to convey tone in a text based forum

I think Abby's Dad meant that the smileys were inappropriate. I certainly took them that way when I read Michelle's posts.

You can't say something rude to someone and then put a smiley at the end - and assume that makes it Ok.

I did say in my initial responce that I am sorry if I missunderstood her post - but from her reply I don't think I did.

Michelle is entitled to her oppinion, and I am entitled to defend myself. By quoting me - she made it a personal attack on me and my parenting - who on here wouldn't get offended by that?

I don't have an issue with your replies hun, it's just it's so hard on here sometimes to get your meaning across that I think it's as well to give people the benefit of the doubt. From here it did seem like it was aimed at you, but as a question rather than an attack iyswim? I realise that smileys don't make being rude ok, but I know from experience that it is easy to be rude without meaning too when you aren't face to face, I've done it myself enough times!!! Just thought that it was a bit unfair of Abby's dad to start critiscing the length of peoples posts, and how they choose to make them that's all.
xx

I think Abby's dad made a very interesting point about the origins of the guidlines. Only a little of what he said was aimed at Michelle.

Bedhead - honestly - if someone had said similar to you (after you had specifically explained what a hard time you had had with people's reactions at the time, and had explained why you made the decision you made) wouldn't you be upset too?

I am not having a go at you hun, just want people to understand why I reacted in the way I did.

xxx

Bedhead - concise doesn't mean just being brief, it's means being able to include all important information in a clear and succinct way. michelle07 puts forward some points that attack nikkiandneil's comments without any real substantiation or backup and then punctuates it with smiles, which come across as condescending, unless that is, she really is confused by what is being said. If that is the case then she would be better off asking honest questions.

Possibly some people need to be more considerate about how the word their posts - perhaps that goes for me too.

Hun, I really don't have any issue with your replies at all, I can see exactly why you were upset, it's not nice feeling like you have to justify yourself. My post was aimed only at Abby's dad, no one else, your right that most of what he said was relevant, just don't think the bit at the end was called for that's all!
xx

We didnt wean my lo until she was 6mths as she was a month prem and my husband wasnt happy with weaning earlier. He is a medic so I went with him as I didnt mind. She was happy with her breast milk and showed no signs of being weaned early. We skipped baby rice and went straight to puree veg and fruit,

N+N - Please dont feel sad about others putting you down etc etc. 4 senior health professionals reviewed your daughter and agreed that it was the right time for he to be weaned. For those of you that dont know, hv I believe have to hold the level of a sister before they start their training and GP's are the same level as consultants in a speciality. Therefore they are well trained in their areas whether they are old or young. You also know your daughter best and knew what was right for her. As others mentioned, all babies grow and develop at different ages. You daughter was just one of the few that need to be weaned earlier than others. Looking back you said you had done the right thing so please be happy that you mt your daughters needs at the time. Have your lo reviewed by 4 medics shows that you were concerned about the matter and didnt just take things into your own hands.

Good point made by someone about they used to state weaning at 4mths. This goes to show that guidelines are constantly changing. Guidelines are their to help guide peoples decisions. If they werent their parents could be weaning their child at any age not knowing the consequences etc.

If you want to disagree with somebodies actions, please do it in a kind hearted way. None of us mothers will bring our child up in an identical way to another mother on here. We know we all have different views and opinions on things. Just because someone disagrees doesnt make their actions any better than the person they are disagreeing with. If one disagrees, please make sure any replies are written in a kind and constructive manner. I hope this has cleared things up a bit. x

Both of my boys have been weaned at 4 months. The advice is to leave it as long as possible, and I did exactly that with both of mine. Rhys is coming up for 20 months old, and is a brilliant eater. He eats the same as us, and feeds himself extremely well, loading his spoon/fork etc. He has no allergies and is a happy baby easily within normal weight range.
Ethan was 3 weeks early, and we started weaning him at 18 weeks, 3 weeks ago. He's responded brilliantly to it, and we chose to wean him as he wasn't settled with milk feeds, was draining full bottles, had started waking in the night and was making chewing motions/lip smacking and showing huge interest in our food.
The health professionals can give all the advice they like, and I understand they are highly qualified, but I believe my instinct as his Mother is always correct, and I don't think twice about following what I believe and what my baby's behaviour is telling me. As it happens, Ethan's consultant was happy that we were making the right decision, but I would have done it regardless as I knew he was ready.
Carly xx

My LO is 17 weeks today and is very interested in what we are eating etc. I have been giving him his own spoon for several weeks when he is sat in his highchair while i eat breakfast. He can now easily put his spoon in his mouth and stares constantly while i eat...i can no longer eat when breastfeeding as he wont feed and just tries to grab what i'm eating!!! I am going to try and hold off weaning for a few more weeks though.

Just a quick point about the WHO guidelines...yes they do say that a baby needs nothing more than milk (it actually also specifies breastmilk) but it then talks about weaning as 'complimentary' feeding with continuing breastfeeding for up to 2 years!!! I haven't heard of many H.V's making mums feel bad if they dont BF for 2 years!!!

My dd wasnt onto solids until late. . . . 8months +.
I tried at 6months but she wasnt interested in the slightest.
I will add now she is 16months old and loves her food.

Each child is individual and they all need weening at different stages, my Nan was horrified i had a 6month old who only had milk as she apparently gave her 3 solids at a very early age(maybe 10wks-cant remember exactly).
She has 2 slim children and one who is a little over weight.
xxx

Alcott - I think I'm right in thinking that your lo has terrible reflux. Weaning with baby purees can actually make it worse, as I've found out. We've had a frankly horrible 4 months with my dd constantly throwing up, and the only things that don't make her sick are finger foods and 'normal' consistency things, like shepherd's pie.

If I'd known that I would have waited till she was six months and started with baby-led weaning. It's your own decision ( as highlighted by all previous comments!!) , but with a very bad reflux-y baby it's what I'd have done if I'd known otherwise.

marnie
x

Marnb, well remembered! He does indeed have reflux. After Gaviscon, Domperidone and now Imeprazole he is still suffering. I am going to ask for him to be refered next week for further tests.

A few people have mentioned I should wean him early to help his reflux but I agree with you that I should wait. The way I see it is if his digestive system is not mature enough to digest milk then it's certainly not ready for solids.

The thought of a baby with reflux on solids fills me with dread. As do the contents of nappies once weaned...

xx

I am going to be following the guidelines and wean my lo at six months. When I had my daughter it was four months, but if new research shows thats its best to wait until six then Im going to follow that if I can.

It might be hard though as my son was big when born - 11lbs 9oz! - and I have already been told I might need to wean early but he seems fine at the moment (he is 13 weeks), is very content with his milk and putting on weight so Im sticking to that.

If he starts to get hungrier then Id rather try increasing the number of feeds a day than introduce food earlier if I can.

11lb9oz.... OUCH!!!

Quote:

Indeed! My Abby was only 8lb 9.5oz - and that was bad enough! Eeck!

xxx

that makes even Barney seem tiny and he was a substatial 9lb 7oz

ALCOTT!! I have been wondering where to find you, and to (in hindsight rather stupidly) ask if you had your LO yet!! i don't really come on here much anymore! and as your LO is now 16 weeks i am SO totally behind! Your email button isnt activated so cant contact you privately. Did you have him in PAH? how was it all etc. etc. Do you ever go to any of the sure start centres!? seems weird that i may have seen you and not known! lol x

VINTAGE ROSE!!! I have just email you. xx