IDDSI is for all ages… a smaller world for babies and children! | | Eating and drinking challenges (dysphagia) occur across all ages. IDDSI was developed to meet the needs of all ages, across all cultures and for all care settings. Feeding disorders are a common challenge in babies and children. Babies and children are much smaller than adults and do not have the same oral skills as adults; these skills develop over time as the child grows and develops. Therefore, it was important to consider the unique needs of babies and children in the development of the IDDSI Framework. | | |
So how is the IDDSI framework different for babies and children? While the name and description of the food and drink levels are the same, there are a few unique differences in terms of particle size recommended for babies and children. The smaller size of mouth, throat and airway and the gradual eruption of teeth and feeding skill were taken into consideration. A health professional with specialized knowledge and skills in assessing feeding disorders in babies and children should always be consulted to make the most appropriate recommendation of food texture and drink consistency.
L 5 Minced and Moist for babies and children have a particle size requirement of no larger than 2 mms and should still be soft and moist and pass the required testing methods for L5MM. L6 soft and bite sized for babies and children have a particle size requirement of no larger than 8 mm and should still pass the required testing methods for L6SB.
Many of you may not have been familiar with the Level 1, Slightly Thick drink consistency prior to the IDDSI framework being published. This consistency had been used more commonly with infants experiencing feeding challenges. The primary means of nutrition in the young infant is by sucking liquids, therefore it is essential the baby can do this efficiently and not tire. If the liquid is too thick and the baby fatigues, this can result in reduced intake and growth.
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Keep in mind that although L1 slightly thick drinks and the smaller particle sizing for L5 Minced and Moist and L6 Soft and Bite sized were developed for babies and children, these can also be used in older populations if appropriate. Handouts for babies and children can be found here on the IDDSI website.
Transitional Foods are also used commonly with babies and children, check out our July Ebite to learn more about this category.
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Argentina: Join us for our Pre Congress activity about IDDSI: "Everything you need to know about IDDSI", from theory to practice. This is a full-day activity that will take place on August 21st, 2025, in the city of Córdoba, Argentina. For all the details on this Event go to: ARIRG Event
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Asia Regional: Asia Regional IRG has an IDDSI webpage!
For all the events, news and resources visit their new webpage at: ASRIRG webpage
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Canada: Each June, National Dysphagia Awareness Month reminds us of the millions of Canadians living with difficulty swallowing. Read the June Can-Do newsletter on the CIRG webpage
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Pediatrics: Two members of the pediatric IRG (PEDIRG), Martha Mambru and Rosa Sampallo, shared some wonderful recipes of foods from Columbia that can be prepared to IDDSI levels for babies and children. Check out the recipes (in Spanish) here on the PEDIRG webpage
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United States: - June was Dysphagia Awareness Month - read all the details in the June newsletter on the USIRG webpage
Don't forget to get your tickets for the US Symposium on July 25th and book your hotel room by July 2nd for the special IDDSI event rate! US Symposium Event Page
| | IDDSI Reference Group Volunteering | |
If you are interested in joining an IDDSI Reference Group, please email the contact for the group. We welcome everyone who wants to help with guiding & fostering IDDSI implementation. Being part of a reference group is a great opportunity to meet IDDSI friends in your local, regional area. And you never know, something amazing may happen when great brains come together!
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Don't see an IDDSI Reference Group for your practise or regional area? Interested in starting an IDDSI reference group to help support IDDSI implementation in your regional or practice area? Fill out the form here.
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Secure your spot today at the US IDDSI Symposium! Newport Beach, California
Friday, July 25th, 2025
| | Venue: Renaissance Newport Beach Hotel - 4500 MacArthur Boulevard, Newport Beach, CA Click the Hotel location link here: Hotel location | | |
UK IDDSI Academy Pilot in Bristol!
Tuesday, September 16th, 2025
| | Venue Address: St Michael's Centre, The Green, Stoke Gifford, Bristol, BS34 8PD | | |
Spaces are limited to 80 delegates so be sure to get your tickets!
For more information and program highlights click here: UK IDDSI Academy Event
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Early Bird registration is open!
Australia IDDSI Conference - Monday, October 20th
and Academy Pilot - Tuesday, October 21st, 2025
Victoria Park Function Centre, Brisbane, Australia
The Australian IDDSI Reference Group is delighted to showcase Australia's first IDDSI Expo together with IDDSI Global’s Academy Pilot course for 2 - one day events. The events will be held in Brisbane at Victoria Park Function Centre, 4km from Brisbane's City centre. Join us for either, or both days!
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Early Bird rates are only in effect until August 15, 2025, so don't wait to register!
For all the exciting details on this event, go to the Australian IDDSI Event page here: Australia IDDSI Expo - Events - IDDSI
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Sponsors
We are excited to announce our new Silver Sponsor, Arista Masters.
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Established in 2021, Arista Masters Pte Ltd has swiftly emerged as a dynamic force in Singapore's food catering and healthcare consultancy sectors. Arista Masters specialises in delivering exceptional food catering services, tailored to meet the diverse needs of our elderly.
Beyond catering, Arista Masters extends its expertise to the healthcare industry, offering strategic management consultancy services. Our insights and solutions are designed to enhance operational efficiency and patient care within healthcare organizations.
With a foundation built on quality service and client satisfaction, Arista Masters Pte Ltd continues to set new standards in both the culinary and healthcare consultancy landscapes of Singapore.
| | If you have any suggestions for webinar topics, we’d love to hear them! Head over to our Contact Us form, choose subject “Webinars”, and let us know what you’d like to see in the upcoming months. | | Previous Webinars and Recordings | |
Missed any of our other webinars? All our webinars are recorded and can be found on here, but please note rewatching the webinars on YouTube will not provide you with a Certificate of Attendance.
If you register and then cannot attend a webinar, PLEASE make sure to cancel so we may open another spot up for someone else. Thank you very much for your consideration.
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Upcoming Events:
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Argentina IDDSI Pre-Congress Course: "Everything you need to know about IDDSI" from theory to practice, in Cordoba, Argentina, August 21, 2025 Contenido Restringido – Asociación Argentina de Disfagia
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The 33rd World Congress of the IALP is coming to Malta August 24-28, 2025 - Innovation and inspiration in Communication Sciences and Disorders Congress Topics and Registration Information
- IDDSI Hands on seminar & pre-congress seminar for Japanese Society of Dysphagia Rehabilitation, Yokohama, Japan, Sep 18, 2025
- The 31st annual meeting of JSDR, Yokohama, Japan, Sep 19-20, 2025
- ESSD - European Society for Swallowing Disorders Conference, Athens, GR, Nov 7-11, 2025
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If you are aware of other events where IDDSI will be featured, please share the information with us by sending the details to: office@iddsi.org
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Take a look to see where different regions are in respect to supporting IDDSI Implementation.
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