For children who are recommended thickened fluids, the following recommendations should also be put in place to further reduce the risk of aspiration (food or fluid entering the airway/lungs).

Fluids within food

• All fluids including those within food should be the same consistency as the fluids your child is recommended to drink.

Suggestions: Sauces in food should be thickened or mixed and soaked up by the food. Milk in cereal should be thickened or thick yoghurt used or cereals should be offered once milk is fully absorbed (such as Weetabix)

Juicy fruits

• Adults should avoid offering juicy foods, such as watermelon, cucumber, oranges, tomatoes as when eaten they release a burst of liquid that may be aspirated.

Suggestions: Fruits can be mashed, grated or squeezed and drained of excess fluid or mixed with yoghurt or thickener added. Fruit can also be stewed and made into a thick puree.

Transitional foods

• Foods that turn into a liquid when eaten should be avoided. It does not matter if you are eating from solid as they will melt into a thin liquid in your mouth before you swallow. These are foods such as ice cream, ice lollies and jelly.

Suggestions: Make a homemade version of ice cream/ice lollies using blended/pureed fruit with a liquid that has been thickened to the recommended IDDSI level for your child. Discuss with your Speech and Language Therapist for recipe ideas.

Water-based activities

• 1:1 supervision is recommended in the following activities to ensure that water is not accidentally, or purposefully swallowed:
  • Swimming
  • Baths and showers
  • Hand washing
  • Water play

Dysphagia online workshop

Educational settings can access a dysphagia online training workshop on our website to learn more about dysphagia.