As I've said above, my LO is only 24 weeks and I am ITCHING to start weaning, but I'm determined to hold off until 26 weeks not because I think 6 months is the magical number, but for my own peace of mind. If LO develops an allergy or intolerance in later years, I'd never know whether it was because I started 2 weeks early and frankly parenthood brings enough guilt without me risking even more. It's the same thing with reducing the risk of cot death. FSID report that the number of parents putting their children down to sleep on their tummies is increasing because people are worried about flat head syndrome. Are these parents mad?! Imagine the guilt if your child died and you knew you'd deliberately ignored the proven guidlines. Anyway, must stop ranting, think I get too wound up about people on mumsnet getting uppity with you Aitch, they know they're going against the official guidlines and it just makes them very defensive. I know that if I started weaning now, it would be because I wanted to, not because it's in the interest of my daughter. And that's not really a good enough reason is it? p.s. pancakes - another good reason not to start yet, I get more of them