Feeding FAQ: 4-6 months – Weaning

I am not sure if I should begin to wean my 4.5-month-old daughter

My daughter is 4.5 months old but is still on the routine for 3 month olds and has not yet been able to sleep through the night solidly. She has done it a few times but her waking-up time is generally 6am. At that point I only give 1-2 oz of water and put her back to sleep till 7am. At each feed she takes approx 5oz and if I’m lucky 6oz. She is growing well and very happy. CLB suggests starting to wean at 4 months, however, my daughter does not drink more than 6 oz per feed and her average daily intake is approx. 25 oz whereas Gina says that it should be approx 8 oz per feed. Should I wait until she starts to drink more and sleeps consistently through the night before I introduce solids? Also, am I doing the right thing by giving her water at 6am and then putting her to sleep until 7am?
At present she weighs 6.14kg. She feeds at 7.30am 5oz, 10.30am 3oz, 11.30 1.5oz, 2.30pm 5oz, 5.30pm 3.5oz, 6.30pm 2.5oz,11pm 6oz, 6am 1-2oz water.

When the Contented Baby Book was written it was acceptable to begin to wean after 17 weeks but since its publication the guidelines from the Department of Health, prompted by the World Health Organisation suggested that babies should delay being given solids until 6 months. Some babies are able to wait this long, others are not but a baby does need to be showing all the signs that she is ready to wean before you begin.
These are:

• Taking 4-5 8oz feeds daily and not being satisfied afterwards thus demanding feeds more frequently.
• Starting to wake earlier and earlier for a feed
• Putting hands and other objects into the mouth, showing that she is exploring their feel and taste
• Showing an interest in others when they are eating
• Dribbling frequently
• Beginning to chew things

As your daughter has not reached all these stages yet it would be best to delay weaning until she is more ready. Using water at 6am is fine but it may also help if you begin to see if she can settle herself back alone at this time, thus stretching herself to nearer 7am. When she wakes leave her a few minutes before going in to see if she will settle back to sleep.

Make sure she is well tucked in and her room really dark as these could both be reasons for her early waking. Try to settle her with the smallest amount of water possible so it does not take the edge off her appetite at 7am.