Gemma Atkinson hits back at mum-shamers after sharing update on 4-month-old son

Gemma Atkinson has defended her decision to start feeding her four-month-old son solid food.

The model and former Hollyoaks actress hit back at trolls who suggested that she was weaning her son too early and "spreading misinformation" to other mums.

The mum-of-two posted that she was "introducing some baby porridge" into her Thiago's diet.

But the revelation was met with criticism, as the NHS recommends parents introduce solids from six months onwards alongside breast milk and formula.

The 39 year old actress, who is engaged to 33 year old Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer Gorka Márquez, told her 1.9 million followers: "A few of you have asked if we introduced the porridge.

"I mentioned a few weeks ago that I knew he was ready so we started a few weeks back. He has two bowls a day for now and he absolutely loves it. He gets excited when he sees the bowl."

One fan then asked: "Hi! How did you know he was ready for the porridge? He’s adorable and only a few weeks younger than my little lady."

The mum, who shared four year old daughter Mia and four month old son Thiago with Gorka, said: "I knew as it was the same things Mia did.

"Draining his bottles and still rooting for more (even with a 6 ounce) taking an interest in watching us eat, picking his lips when I was eating and reaching for my food if I was eating with him on my knee. He’s a lot bigger than Mia was as well so u knew he was defo ready."

But her comment sparked backlash, as someone replied: "None of them are signs of readiness lovely. Signs of readiness are sitting up with no or little support, no tongue thrust and being able to put food up to their mouth themselves.

"Look on the NHS website, draining bottles and watching you eat are not signs of readiness. Just really don’t want you spreading misinformation to new mams."

In response, Gemma said: "That’s why I always say ppl should do their own research. I spoke with a private baby physio who told me that the sitting up with no support is down to a babies weight and size not food related at all hence why they all do it at different stages.

"The sitting up for food is to reduce choking hazards. Weaning with different foods of course you wait for the 6 month mark.

"I won’t be giving him breadsticks or anything just yet. But smooth baby porridge from his same brand of milk recommended from 4 months is working for us, just as it did for Mia."

She added: "Also, I LOVE our NHS but the guidelines change on the site a lot as well. When I’ve asked why something is recommended it’s always because "those are the guidelines now".

"There never seems to be any actual evidence or reason why which is a shame as it’d help us mums a lot more. I understand hospitals have policies they stick to but for me as a 2nd time mum I’m a lot more confident in my decisions for them. 100% each to their own though for sure."

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