Though official guidelines from the World Health Organisation (WHO) say you shouldn’t start weaning your baby onto solids until they’re 6 months, the reality is many parents don’t wait that long – for a myriad of reasons.

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Some have medical reasons for doing so – while others sense their baby is ready for the next stage.

At least, in the stories we’ve heard from some of our own mums, celeb dad Peter Andre and now celeb mum Amy Childs, that seems to be the case.

27-year-old Amy recently took to Instagram to share that she’s now about to embark on the weaning journey with her 4-month-old daughter Polly.

And to her fans, she confessed that Polly’s been getting hungrier, that she’s been given a lot of different advice about when to introduce purees and that – above all else – she was feeling pretty unsure about the whole thing…

More like this

Amy's original post

amy childs

“Ok girls so here goes!!! Can't believe Polly is now 4 months ? Where does the time go?

“Right, so I'm going to put Polly on baby rice, she seems to be getting so hungry. I was feeding her every 4 hours and now she is waking up in between wanting more food!

“I don't know why but I still think she is so small to be having baby rice, but I'm going to give it a try as they’re now saying to put them on rice at 4 months.

“A lot of new mums told me not to wait until they’re 6 months.

“Polly is a very hungry baby ??, was any other mums nervous weaning?? I sure am ?? Will let you know how I get on ?”

What we think

Firstly, we just wanna say we think it’s great Amy’s not afraid to admit that she’s feeling pretty anxious about this next step ?

It’s totally natural, whatever age they are, as this new kind of feeding is unchartered territory for any new parent AND it’s such a big change from everything you do already know.

So, thanks for sharing Amy – you’re certainly not the only one ?

However, we would add that if you’re thinking about weaning before 6 months, you should always bring it up with, and get the A-OK from, your health visitor or GP. Just to be on the safe side.

And it’s so important to check your baby’s definitely at a safe stage to start weaning, and that they’re showing all the signs of readiness.

Interestingly, it’s good to get a look at the false signs your baby might be ready for solids, too.

Amy actually mentioned a couple in her post – waking up in the night and seeming hungrier are just signs of growth spurts at this age, rather than a need for solid food.

In summary, we’re really glad Amy shared her concerns, and is reaching out to have a debate with fellow mums on social media.

We also hope our guide to whether or not it’s safe to wean at 4 or 5 months is helpful for anyone in a similar position ?

Amy responds to the 'mum police'

amy childs weaning

However, it seems that not everyone is so happy that Amy opened up about this new phase of parenthood.

The former reality star hit back at those criticising her decision to start weaning 4-month-old Polly, and made a very good point in the process...

Responding to the commenters who shamed her, she wrote beside the above Instagram pic:

"To all you mum police out there, Polly is now 4 months and ready for her porridge!

"I know my baby like all you mums know your babies... Polly is a very hungry baby and on the packet it even says 4-6 months.

"I have got so many haters commenting on my wall about weaning my baby... I'm so excited but also so nervous to start weaning Polly!

"So mums out there no hate please ✌?"

Ugh. We don't like that Amy's getting such a negative reaction, because we just love how candid and open she's being.

It's so important to talk about the parenting things that make us nervous, things that we're not 100% confident about, and share advice and support in a helpful, positive way.

That's the only way we'll learn and grow, right?

So, we hope Amy starts seeing a bit more of that in her Instagram comments soon...

Images: Instagram/Amy Childs

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