Weaning a sleepy baby

[Bankholidaybaby]

Has anyone had experience of weaning a baby who can't stay awake for more than 90 mins at a time? I read that it's best to offer food 1hr after milk, but my son, who was 7 weeks early and who is almost 20 weeks actual age, gets fidgety and annoyed 75mins max after a feed starts and is fast asleep by 90. Sometimes it's even less. He then naps for 45mins to an hour, wakes for about 30-45mins, sleeps again for 45-60 mins and then has another bottle.

Let's say he wakes at 7, I would then ideally try solids at 8, but by 8.15 he's usually grizzling and then asleep by 8.30. If I wait until he wakes again at 9.15ish, I've missed my normal breakfast time. Same at lunch with his bottle at 11am. I'm probably massively overthinking this, but interested to hear other people's views!

[Bankholidaybaby]

I want him to join in with mealtimes, and he definitely wants this, too, judging by the look of joy on his face when he sees my husband and me eating.

[minipie]

Hi, well he's only 20 weeks actual age so presumably there's still another 6 weeks till you need to start him on solids? He may be able to stay awake for longer by then.

If you still have the same issue in 6 weeks time I'd try giving him food 30 or even 20 minutes after his milk. Milk is still by far the most important food in the early stages of weaning (especially for a prem baby as they are of course younger in corrected terms) so it doesn't matter too much if he's still fairly full of milk and doesn't eat much solids. I think the 1 hour recommendation is intended to get them transferring to solid food quickly (because they are hungry after 1 hour) which you don't really need to happen.

[Bankholidaybaby]

My understanding is that premature babies aren't included in the government weaning guidelines because of their reduced stores of nutrients. Bliss says 20 weeks is the minimum age (I reckon he's pretty nearly ready but I'm not going to rush just because he's reached the minimum age) but everything I've read so far suggests that waiting until 26 weeks would be a mistake from a nutritional perspective.

He's excited by food, he shoves everything in his mouth, he's dropped to 4 feeds a day, feeding is going pretty well, he makes chomping movements when he watches me eat. He can't sit up unsupported and his head control isn't quite there yet but I don't think this is prohibitive.

My health visitor was supportive, but I might make an appointment with the GP just to check that I'm thinking along the right lines and that I haven't misinterpreted the signs.

[plentyofsoap]

My ds (33 weeks) was weaned just shy off six months as he was ready and showing signs. He had very poor weight gain and could not sit up. I put on an old t'shirt and fed him supported up right in my arms.
He slept alot too so gave him breakfast, nap time then bottle if I remember correctly. Slowly introduced different meal times.I might be worth posting on the bliss message board?

[minipie]

Yes premature babies are different and weaning is done on the basis of actual age rather than corrected age (due to nutrients from the womb running out I believe). The Bliss advice leaflet (very helpful) talks about weaning some time between 5 to 8 months actual. However I understand the earlier end of that timescale is usually on medical advice, eg if your baby has bad reflux or weight gain problems. Personally I wouldn't wean much before 6 months actual age except on medical advice as prem digestive systems are pretty delicate.