What parents should know
From milk feeding to family foods
Breastfeeding and infant feeding questions are common. As complementary foods begin, offer age-appropriate textures and a variety of nutrient-rich family foods while avoiding choking hazards. Feeding plans should be individualized for premature babies or children with medical needs.
Selective eating and healthy routines
Regular meals and snacks, calm family mealtimes and repeated exposure to foods can help. Avoid force-feeding. A clinician can review diet, growth and symptoms when food variety is very limited or mealtimes are persistently difficult.
- Regular meal and snack routines
- Water as the everyday drink for older infants and children
- Age-appropriate portions and textures
- Avoid pressure, distraction and force-feeding
Poor weight gain
Poor weight gain can have nutritional, feeding, gastrointestinal or other medical causes. Assessment may include growth chart review, feeding history, clinical examination and targeted investigations only when indicated.
Seek urgent medical care now if
- • Choking, blue colour, breathing difficulty or inability to swallow
- • Severe dehydration, repeated green vomiting or blood in vomit or stool
- • Marked lethargy, loss of consciousness or seizures
- • A young infant who is refusing feeds or has significantly fewer wet nappies
Do not wait for an online reply or routine clinic appointment when a child has emergency warning signs.
See all emergency red flagsThis information is for general parent education and does not replace examination, diagnosis or treatment by a qualified medical professional. In an emergency, go to the nearest hospital emergency department rather than waiting for a clinic or online appointment.