Weaning

[topsec]

What is the earliest age you can start weaning?
My baby is only 10 weeks old and all we seem to be doing at the moment is feeding. She is already on milk for hungrier babies. Always chomping at her fingers....

Any help/advice greatly appreciated.

[ethanryan]

hi both my sons were weaned at 12 weeks. my health visitor said let him have it if he wants it. i just started with a bit of baby rice in the morningsthen gradually went to a morning and evening meal then at about 4 months they were having 3 meals a day.
you know your child best if u feel they need more just try them

[redcrx]

current guidelines are 6 months though there are some babies who need it earlier, just bland foods though.

Your daughter may just be having a growth spurt though at that age and settle back down once shes grown.

speak to a health visitor if you can for further advice

[lilyfrog]

The earliest you are supposed to start on solids is 17 weeks, and then it is on a limited range of foods. Ask your Health Visitor at your next visit for more info.

However, if your instincts are that your baby is ready for solids now then it is totally up to you when you wean. As my mum keeps telling me "it is your baby and you dont need permission to do anything"

Apparently my brother started on rice at 10 days as he was so hungry and it did him no harm!

This said, I would put it off as long as possible. As redcrx saya (and she is very knowledgeable) this may be a growth spurt and she may settle down in a couple of weeks.

Hope this helps.

x

[aims1202]

Of course as others have said its your baby so its up to you when you start weaning. The guidelines are 6 mths because babies stomachs are sensitive to a lot of foods before then. The worst are wheat (gluten) and dairy, if you do wean early then best to avoid these. Baby rice is best to start but personally i would wait until at least 4 mths to give it.
If she is still hungry after feeds then give more milk, it could be a growth spurt as someone else said. they have them every few weeks. chewing fingers does not always mean hunger, they just like it and she could be wanting to suck her thumb and hasnt quite got hang of it it yet. Also some babies teethe early and it could be that.

[annie0000]

Chewing on her fingers is most likely to be wind - babies can also want to feed more when they are windy, as they know that their tummy feels funny but all they think to do is eat more! I would try to manage a growth spurt with more milk or hungry baby milk and you might find she settles down and you can leave solids for a wee bit longer.