Weaning Frequently Asked Questions

The process of weaning can seem like a daunting task.

Many of the weaning challenges you face with your child are common to those both with and without PKU, and some stages of weaning will take longer than others.

Here are some of the common questions you may ask when going through the weaning process:

It is common for babies to refuse new foods or even foods they have previously accepted. Suggestions on how to overcome this include:

- Avoid drinks up to 1 hour before a meal to encourage appetite 

- Continue to offer new foods – it can take 8-10 attempts with the same food before a baby accepts a new taste 

- Pair up new foods with a favourite food to encourage acceptance 

- Eat exchange-free foods with your child and have these foods as part of family meals. If your child sees others eating exchange-free foods this will increase the likelihood that they will too 

- Encourage messy play with food 

Whilst most fruits and some vegetables are exchange-free,  some do need to be counted in the diet.

If a fruit or vegetable needs to be counted in the diet (e.g. 60g of broccoli = 1 phe exchange) then this is because the amount of phe they contain is high enough to cause an increase in blood phe levels.

Your dietitian will advise which fruit and vegetables are suitable. You can also check the NSPKU dietary information booklet. 

Initially there will be no change to the amount of standard infant formula or breast milk your baby takes because the amount of exchange-free weaning foods they manage will be so little.

As the amount of foods your baby takes increases in quantity and phe exchanges are introduced into your baby’s diet, then the breast milk or standard infant formula will be decreased accordingly.

This is to ensure the same amount of phe is taken each day. Your dietitian will help you with this. 

There may be times when you find it difficult to get your child to take their second stage protein substitute.

Tips for overcoming this include: 

Even if your little one is under the weather, it is important that they still take their protein substitute.

Always contact your dietitian for advice if you are at all concerned.

Give the same total amount of protein substitute each day, but be prepared for this to take longer than usual. 

- Give the protein substitute in smaller amounts ‘little and often’ to encourage them to manage the full amount 

- Try to make sure the same people are giving the second stage protein substitute in the same way each day