when do you start weaning a baby?

Question

My baby is 12 wks but about 15 1/2 lbs and wants milk about every hour-I am breastfeeding. he has never gone for more than 2 or 3 hours but the last couple of days has dropped right down, I know they are supposed to be 6 months but i cant wait that long!!!!

Answer 1

Defenitely a growth spurt!!! There are many growth spurts along the way. Breastmilk is supply and demand, so during a growth spurt he needs to suck suck suck suck suck so your body produces enough milk to meet his new higher demand for breastfmilk. 2-3 hours gap is normal for his age. My son breastfed every 1 1/2 hours until I weaned him at 14 1/2 months. You really need to hold off solids until 6 months at least (that is when it is recommended you start now). You are doing such a great job breastfeeding!!! Keep up the good work and just remember, this is all normal. Enjoy giving your baby something only YOU can give him!

Answer 2

There is no set rule as to when you have to begin weaning. When you wean your baby will be whenever you decide it is time. Wanting to nurse frequently is not uncommon for breast fed babies, especially if they are getting ready to have a growth spurt. He will go back to eating every 2-3 hours again. I have breast fed all 4 of my babies. The first 2 I weaned early (at 5 months and 3 months) because I was working and going to college. My last 2 I was able to nurse them until they self-weaned at 11 months and 14 months. I do remember times when I felt like I had a baby attached to my breast 24/7, but it was always for only a short time. If you can give it a another week or two you will see that his breast feeding schedule will even out again. As a baby's nutritional needs change so does mother's milk to meet those needs. Sometimes babies will nurse frequently during that transition time since the more he nurses the more milk you will produce.

Answer 3

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding exclusively (meaning no formula or any solids, including cereal) until 6 months. At that point, you can start with solids. Also at that point, you can skip the cereals and go straight to purees. Also, until 12 months of age, breastmilk (or formula if a mother is not breastfeeding) should be the main source of nutrition.

As far as the frequency of eating...human milk is designed to be easily digested by humans. It is less taxing on the body than any other food, which is what he needs at this point. But because he can digest it so easily, he will need to eat more often.

His feeding pattern right now is totally normal. He is just trying to get what he needs to grow. I wouldn't be concerned unless his wet and dirty diapers drop below what the pediatrician says to look for and if he isn't gaining weight.

Answer 4

How often is he nursing? Is he nursing every hour or so now? Maybe he is going through his 3 mos growth spurt. This is a time of increased nursing to boost your supply to meet his new needs. How long has he been doing the hourly feedings?

Is he having plenty of wet and dirty diapers?

Does he seem satisfied after nursing?

Is he gaining weight and growing in length and head circumference?

From what you've said, I see no reason that there is any problem.

Solids are not to be introduced until around 6 mos of age. They don't have the enzymes present in their tummies to digest them earlier. And starting too soon can cause an increased risk of allergies, diabetes and obesity.

After solids start around 6 mos, breastfeeding should continue until at least 12 mos of age, per the AAP.

Answer 5

Sounds like your baby is doing great. They do have times of increased appetitie and it does take time for your breasts to adjust. So many women end up 'losing their milk' because they don't let their baby have those extra feeds to increase their supply. Some days it will feel like you're feeding all day (and you possibly will feed every hour) but once the supply has increased, the number of feeds drops back again. Keep going, you're doing really well. Congrats on making it this far! You are halfway and you can wait the other half :D I know you can!

Answer 6

My daughter ate every 1hr 1/2 to 2 hrs around the clock. It's exhausting but you will get through it! It is your decision if you wish to continue or not. It sounds like your baby is doing great. Sometimes babies do go through spurts where they eat a lot and then not so much. This is normal. Have you tried giving one bottle of formula a day. That's what I did and it did seem to help and it gave me a break! Once you decide to add solids to your baby's diet you won't be feeding as often either.My little one weaned herself once she was on solids. She was more interested in food than breastmilk. So I continued to add another bottle every couple of weeks. Best of luck with your decision. Don't be hard on yourself if you do decide to wean your little one. You gave your baby a great start!

Answer 7

You can start to give him a little cereal in the evening. That is common to start around 3-4 months. Then you can continue to nurse and that will help him get what his little body is wanting. Might try letting him cry for a while sometimes too, that will teach his little tummy to go longer in between feedings. Worked for me.
I nursed my children and it was different with each one. I weaned from 6-12 months. It's your choice to do whatever is best for your lifestyle when it comes to weaning.

Answer 8

You might start feeding him small meals of very thin rice cereal. Express a small amount of milk and mix the cereal so it will taste like milk.

Answer 9

I know the doctors would freak, but I started giving my babies a little pablum at around 3 months old. It seemed to fill them up better so they go longer between feedings. Doesn't hurt them a bit.