Feeding & Nutrition Support

Good nutrition supports your child’s growth, energy, immunity and development. This is general everyday advice only. It is not a treatment plan and does not replace guidance from your child’s doctor, dietitian or specialist. Some inherited conditions affect appetite, digestion, growth or how the body uses nutrients. If your child has a diagnosed genetic or metabolic condition, always follow their individual medical nutrition plan, even if it differs from the advice below.

• Fruit and vegetables
• Rice, roti, potatoes, oats or other grains
• Protein such as eggs, meat, fish, lentils, beans or chickpeas
• Milk, yoghurt, cheese or another suitable alternative
• Water throughout the day

• Offer meals and snacks at regular times
• Give smaller meals more often if large portions are a struggle
• Allow enough time to eat without rushing
• Encourage eating without forcing or pressuring your child
• Keep mealtimes calm and positive when possible

Tell your child’s healthcare team if you notice:

• Poor weight gain or unexplained weight loss
• Frequent difficulty finishing meals
• Ongoing vomiting, diarrhoea or unusual stools
• Eating becoming unusually tiring
• A major change in appetite, or difficulty chewing or swallowing

Do not give extra supplements simply because a child has a genetic disorder. Nutritional needs can differ greatly between conditions.

• Follow the diet recommended by your child’s doctor or dietitian
• Ask before starting vitamins, iron, supplements or herbal remedies
• Check whether any foods or supplements should be limited
• Ask whether your child needs extra calories, protein or other nutrients

For most infants, current WHO guidance recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months when possible, introducing safe, nutritious foods from around 6 months, and continuing breastfeeding alongside other foods up to 2 years or beyond if desired.