Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust has removed online advice that suggested chocolate buttons, crisps, and biscuits could be used to help babies struggling with solid foods. The guidance, which was intended for children with specific swallowing difficulties, said such foods “dissolve in the mouth” and could serve as a “great middle step” for those having trouble with lumps.
The now-deleted webpage recommended Pom Bear crisps and advised placing items like chocolate buttons at the side of a child’s mouth “to encourage chewing skills”. It cautioned that these foods “should only be given as snacks due to high fat and sugar content”. The trust has since acknowledged concerns and removed the page while reviewing its wording.
A trust spokesperson said the content came from a patient leaflet developed with clinical input to support children with specific feeding difficulties and was not intended as general dietary advice. “The foods referenced were provided as examples of textures that dissolve easily in the mouth, not recommendations about what children should routinely eat,” they added.
National NHS guidance advises introducing solid foods from six months, recommending a variety of fruit, vegetables, starchy carbohydrates, dairy, and proteins. It warns against giving babies sugar and foods high in saturated fat, such as crisps and biscuits, and notes that babies should consume less than 1g of salt daily. A 20g serving of chocolate buttons contains 11g of sugar.
The North East already has high obesity rates for both children and adults. Gateshead, with a population of just over 200,000, is one of the areas where the advice was available. The trust said it will publish updated information once its review is complete.
