Jack & The great weaning debate
Jack's Mummy is confused. The Health Visitor came round to discuss weaning.
'He's only 14 weeks' she said to the HV, ' the recommendations are that breast fed babies should be weaned as close to 6 months as possible'.
'That's right' says the HV ' but our surgery likes to talk to Mums about it now. When will you be starting baby on solids?'
Daughter is now feeling that she should start Jack on solids. He's still gaining weight, he's settled, okay he has stopped sleeping through the night since the hot weather started, but that's not necessarily because he's hungry. I'm staying out of this though. My first baby was started on solids (egg yolk) at 10 weeks, and the other two were 16 weeks when baby rice was introduced. Things were easier then. You were more or less left to it. Babies could sleep where you thought best, in whatever position you felt suited them, and wearing whatever you decided was comfortable for them. Breast or bottle, no problem. I'm glad I had my babies twenty plus years ago, I had enough angst then, I would be totally neurotic nowadays. Are the babies/children healthier now though? Are they developing faster? Is their emotional state improved? Has the Nanny State bred a new, better parent and child? Personally, I don't think so.
P.S I write this as a Grandmother and a Mum. At this moment I am not behaving as any sort of Health Professional just a devil's advocate.
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(6.8.04 12:46) He doesn't look as if he requires any more food to me! She should go by her instincts. When he is hungry all the time and is keeping her up at night, start weaning! |
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(6.8.04 12:53) One of the rule I read was that you should start weaning if baby is easily getting through 7 ounces of milk. We debated this kind of thing recently on my blog and the general concensus seemed to be that a Mum will know when it's right. We have way too much 'professional opinions' clouding our way. |
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(6.8.04 13:28) Matilda - I'm with you on this. Nicola - I think the problem is though, that some Mums and Dads are too insecure about things to work things out for themselves or pick and choose. Daughter was 'confused' as books told her one thing, the surgery another, and her HV something else. I gave her the official line and then my thoughts. For a lot of people though a 'rule is a rule' and they live in fear and dread of adverse outcomes. |
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(6.8.04 14:23) Great attitude from the HV (not) to state all reseach shows that a baby who his thriving on his mum's milk should be weaned as close to 6 month as poss but our surgery which is obviously an authority on the subject thinks otherwise... Very scientific. With health professionals like her who needs to bother with clinical trials and medical research. The worry is more that parenting is such a competition that some mums will strongly believe their child is ready when they could have held up a bit longer but felt they shouldn't as their child is the only one in the group still exclusively on milk. What we were told was to look at your family: any signs of allergies, exczema, asthma or autoimmune disease and you are probably better delaying it and introduce new foods carefully and that when solids are first introduced the quantities involved are very small (a couple of teaspoons ?) compared to the average calorific content of a feed they are unlikely to have any effect in your child's actual hunger. |
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(6.8.04 17:48) Stroppy - It's difficult enough doing my job, I'm just glad I'm not a HV. It must be impossible trying to be a voice of reason/common sense when everyone is pulling in different directions. |
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(6.8.04 21:18) His mummy will know (my mum was told 8 weeks was when I should go onto solids evap milk was given to babies and rose hip syrup. She smoked and my cot was my uncles and most proberbly painted with lead based paint!) he does look to be doing very well with just BM. |
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(6.8.04 21:29) Princess - You've hit the nail on the head! He's doing really well on BM. Why introduce solids before she needs to, it's more work! |
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(7.8.04 10:11) That boy is built like a tank! (A cute one). If you put him on solids his mum will have to move nearer to the supermarket to keep up with the demand. BTW - doesn't he look like a mini version of his dad...spooky! |
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(7.8.04 11:46) IanB - Also, if they move nearer the supermarket they would be nearer me, and much as I love seeing them very regularly I can't get anything done during their visits and so I would have to get a cleaner. Not such a bad thing then. If the motorbikes come on the telly he stops crying and watches intently. Just like his Daddy! |
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(10.8.04 19:12) Its a horrid horrid time. At 16 & 1/2 weeks, Ez hit solids running and can't get enough, thank goodness. He was feeding every hour 1/2 to 2 hours and crying between feeds. When he stole a biscuit out of my hand and shoved it in his mouth before we could snatch it back, we knew conclusively that it was time to try. I still lie awake every night and worry that I made the wrong decision. I hope your daughter gets the support she needs whatever her decision. My health visitor is so stern on the subject, I am avoiding visiting her until he's well passed 20 weeks. |
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(10.8.04 19:29) Minks - They all have differing opinions. Luckily Jack is becoming more settled. Fingers crossed, he's started going through the night. I think Nicola's got it right on this one. |
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(10.8.04 19:40) Oneday my dreams will come true and Ez will go from 7-7. But then again, I never have! |