When the right time to start feeding?

The guidelines are 6 months for every baby and they are evidence based but ultimately it is your decision

I would speak to health visitor about it. I don’t think there is much nutritional value in food until after the age of one (I.e. milk is still much more important). I might be wrong about that though. All the guidelines suggest 6 months for good reasons, but I do know people who have weaned at 4 months x

https://m.facebook.com/groups/Feedthebabies/?ref=share

Might also be worth asking on here. They’re great for support x

My little girl is nearly 17 weeks she was born 9lb 14oz so has always been a big girl,my health visitor said the other day the earliest you could feed is 5 months and that was based on my daughter being on hungrier baby and being a big girl now,So definitely run it by your health visitor

I'd say speak to your GP, health visitor. They and you know your baby best. You will always get conflicting advice on this. A friend of mine was told by her GP to wean early to help her digestive system yet others will tell you it effects the digestive system negatively. I did wean my eldest early despite the 6 month guidance because she needed it. However I don't feel my lb is the same I think he'll be fine until 6+ months. Each baby is different so I say speak to health professionals who know your baby, and go with how you feel.

It’s when you feel ready! Yes they “recommend” 6 months but you know your baby. Every child is different. Even health visitors advise 4 months sometimes. No harm in trying little bits here and there. Most people on here will say 6 months but this is your child and you do what you want to. Mine is 18 weeks and he loves his porridge in the morning and veg in the evening. He’s still having all his milk feeds and is perfectly fine. It’s made no difference and caused no problems at all!!

My little one is 4 months old and I give her baby rice mixed with her normal milk. She loves it

My baby girl is 4 months and I’ve started her on purées as she was constantly hungry. She has porridge for breakfast and veg for tea with milk either before or after. I know they ‘recommend’ 6 months but every baby is different, if they are ready then there is no harm in it

17 weeks is the earliest in books,,

At least 6 months, sitting up unaided, able to bring food to mouth, showing an interest in food.

I would like to say that a lot of the premature weaning comments on here say 'no harm' in early weaning. There is so much scientific evidence that shows baby's gut isn't mature enough to handle anything but milk, and that it can have harmful effects later in life. It's also a choking hazard before they can sit up unaided at a 90° angle. I don't want to be a know it all or annoying, but we owe it to our babies to do the proper research and not mislead others. If you choose to wean prematurely because it works for your situation then that's your choice, but to tell another mum that it has 0 harmful effects is irresponsible in my opinion.

@Amber there are no comments on here that say 0 harm. I am a second time mum as I weaned my first at 4 months too I didn’t go by what was on the Internet or in books! I went by what I felt my baby needed. Back in the day there was not all this recommend 6 months, we were weaned when our parents and their parents decided too and there wasn’t as much allergies and tummy problems. Every parent should do what they want. By putting on here it is recommended, which people do on every post about feeding is just the same. To me that makes people feel bad about even thinking about weaning early. We’re here to support.

@Emily I really really appreciate this comment, because he’s closer to five months than he is to four months, and now I feel extremely judged because I dare think feeding him may full him up more or make him more happy, or just help with his teething. your comment means a lot! thank you so much

@Leah babe you do what you want to do. Don’t ever feel judged! These are our babies and we know them better than anyone writing books or blogs online! Xx