How to reduce thickener in your child’s drinks at home

Please read all the information below before you reduce the thickener in your child’s drinks at home.

Thickening drinks is a common strategy for supporting children who have feeding problems. Many children can tolerate having less thickener in their drinks over time, when it is safe to do so.

Your child’s speech and language therapist will support you to look at when is a good time to consider reducing thickener in your child’s drinks.

How should I reduce the thickener my child has?

If your child is unwell, do not start the weaning them off thickener until they feel better. You may stay at each stage for longer than shown below, but do not advance to the next stage more quickly.

In weeks 1 and 2

Reduce the prescribed thickener your child has in their drinks by half a scoop per 200mls. For example, if your child has 2 scoops of thickener in a 200mls drink, reduce this to 1 and a half scoops in a 200mls drink.

In weeks 3 and 4

Reduce the prescribed thickener your child has in their drinks by half a scoop per 200mls. For example, if your child has 1 and half scoops of thickener in a 200mls drink, reduce this to 1 scoop in a 200ml drink.

At the end of this weaning stage, please contact your speech and language therapist for a review.

What if my child does not manage the thinner drink?

Signs of struggling with the thinner consistency include:

• coughing
• spluttering
• eye watering
• throat clearing
• colour changes to the face or lips
• noisy breathing
• wet sound to their voice
• chest infection

If you notice the symptoms above persisting, go back to the thickness your child was managing well and contact your speech and language therapist for advice.