Help, with weaning?

Question

I have breastfeed my baby from birth, and he is nearly 3 months old. i was just wondering what age people started to wean their babys, as i have heard so many different things from different people. All answers would be grateful, thanks

Answer 1

its up to you actually, i breastfed my daughter til she was 18 months but some women only do it til 6 months or not past a year. but its TOTALLY up to you when u want to wean ur baby

Answer 2

I'm reading all the answers and it seems like people are answering two different things: 1) When should you start feeding your baby things other than breastmilk/formula and 2) when should you stop breastfeeding. These are not the same thing!!!!

Most doctors recommend introducing solids between 4 and 6 months, generally closer to 6. Your baby will show you by trying to grab food off your plate or grab your spoon. Don't rush it -- they really don't need other nutrition before 6 months as long as you are healthy and eating enough yourself.

However, most doctors also recommend breastfeeding for no less than 6 months and preferably a year because breastfeeding gives a boost to baby's immune system and is very nutritious.

My first started solids at 6 months and cows milk at a year, but continued to breastfeed until 27 months! She never had a drop of formula -- she went straight from breastmilk (both nursed and in bottles) to cows milk.

My second is 20 months now and still nursing. He never had formula either, and he started daycare at 8 months so I was pumping bottles for him like mad between 8 months and a year (when he started cows milk).

Don't be in a huge hurry to stop breastfeeding -- you're never going to get those quiet snuggles back once they're gone!

Answer 3

I started weaning my son at about 6 months, but not from choice-my milk was drying up and I was no longer producing enough to keep him satisfied. The age you choose to wean your child is totally up to you-some people do it for a very short time, some for up to 3 or 4 years old. I would have breastfed my son until he was about a year old if I could have. It's totally a personal decision-talk to you pediatrician about the best time to wean your baby. Don't let other people's comments and advice make your decision-do what's best for your baby and his development.

Answer 4

UK guidelines suggest exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months. My daughter will be 6 months on 1st Jan, and we started with a little baby rice 2 weeks ago. Not because of any advice or guidelines, but because she was ready.

However, you need to follow YOUR babies cues. Introducing solids before baby is ready just means a mess - at both ends (and worst case may cause food allergies/intolerences) - and waiting too long means that your baby may no longer be getting enough nutrients from you.

If your baby is no longer satisfied with your milk, is interested in you eating, and no longer has the tongue thrust reflex (no longer automatically pushes out things from his mouth), then it migt be time to gently start to introduce some baby rice or some mashed root veg, all mixed with his usual milk.

But he is your baby, you know him best, so follow your instincts.

Good luck!

Answer 5

I plan to nurse until my baby is done, most babies self wean between 2 and 3 YEARS of age. Babies do not self-wean under 1 year.

My baby is 10 months old, yes he has teeth, and yes he bit me hard to bleed. But it is worth it. I love snuggling with my baby. Plus it is soo much easier that formula. You never have to worry about packing it up and taking it anywhere and you always have enough.

Answer 6

I started solids at about four or five months. Stop breastfeeding when it suits you and baby. Most people stop within a year due to work commitments etc but it's up to you. You can go on as long as you feel comfortable with it. Talk to your midwife about the best time to introduce solids as the advice changes with increased research. They tend to say the later the better, but when your baby stops sleeping through the night it generally means more than milk is needed.

Answer 7

I think one year is a great goal, but even babies breastfed for as short as 3 months get important benefits like antibodies. Go as long as you can, but don't worry about stopping. You have to do what's best for you both. I went 8 months and even that was a struggle since I had a breast surgery foran abcess when baby was 1.5 months old.

Answer 8

I was recommended 6 months but decided to start earlier, not with whole meals just with tastes, like a spoonful a day of different things at 4 1/2 months.
I think if you start very slowly and intriduce a variety of fruit and veg at around 5 months, then build it up it is better than just launching straight in at 6 months with bucketfuls of baby rice as they suggest.

Answer 9

four months old is a good age but a lot of health visitors say six months old now days, just stary to introjuce small amounts of baby rice each day this can be mixed with breast milk, start with a few spoonfulls a day, yoghurt is an easy thing to introjuce to a baby, so buy small pots start with half a pot, it's all trial and error really, good luck you will soon know what to give and what not to give.

Answer 10

I started mine at 4 months with some baby rice or rusk mixed in milk formula because I bottle fed mine. Then went onto the pureed tins thickening with the rice for `dinners` or rusk for `puddings` as was necessary. Then it`s the lumpy stuff from around 6 months but it all depends. If you think they`re hungry, fill `em up!

Answer 11

My daughter is 3 weeks old and i was planning to breastfeed until 1 year but she is ill with thrush, has given me it on my nipples. They are sore. Also, she has been losing weight and so i have had to wean her onto formula...