Paediatric Nutrition

A well-balanced diet and good nutrition is crucial for children to grow and develop in order for them to reach their full potential! It’s also important for managing a range of different problems including fussy eating, food allergies and intolerances, poor weight gain/obesity and more.

Studies have shown that childhood eating habits impact our food choices as adults, and so it’s a critical time in your little one’s life when it comes to nutrition and developing healthy eating behaviours.

Our Dietitians help support babies, toddlers and children by giving you and your family practical and achievable advice and guidance on eating well for growth and development, as well as various health conditions.

We know that getting your child’s nutrition right can seem daunting at times. Whether this be World War 3 at dinner times, digestive issues, allergic reactions or sensory/texture feeding issues, we’re here to support you in this journey. We can help you meet your child’s nutritional needs with a tailored plan, to help take the stress away!

We assist with:

o   Introducing solids/progressing through textures

o   Allergies and intolerances – help with eliminating foods that might be causing symptoms, and provide a nutritionally-complete meal plan

o   Fussy or problem eating – practical ways to take the stress out of meal-times

o   General check-in to ensure adequate nourishment/optimising your child’s health

o   Healthy weight achievement 

o   Nutrition for specific medical conditions (e.g Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD)

Do you have a child who is a fussy eater?

Do you often ask yourself; “Why doesn’t my child eat dinner?”, “How do I get my kids to eat vegetables?” or “How do I get my child to stop eating chicken nuggets every night?” If you answer yes to any of these questions, it’s probably safe to say you’re dealing with a fussy eater and one of our Health Management Dietitians can assist. Don’t worry, you’re not alone, fussy eating is a normal part of childhood development, with over half of Australian toddlers fitting the description of a fussy eater.

However, with that being said, establishing healthy eating patterns and a healthy relationship with food is an essential part of growth and development, and important to avoid more serious issues and health concerns later in life. Eating as a family at mealtimes also teaches children essential social and interactive skills.

Some of the reasons your child might be refusing vegetables or only eating small amounts at dinner include:

-       Decreased appetite due to too many snacks or drinks throughout the day, meaning they’re actually just not hungry. Aim for a 2 hours gap from afternoon tea to dinner

-       A high intake of milk or milk-based drinks, particularly around meal times

-       Mood – often hunger is reduced if a child is tired, upset, or unwell

-       Large and overwhelming portion sizes

-       Texture and type of vegetables – try changing the way they are cooked

-       Heightened pressure and stress at dinner times resulting in anxiety and behaviours

You are your child’s teacher and mentor. Whatever you eat and don’t eat, they will do too. Being a good role model is essential to your child’s development in all areas, with food being one too. The good news is, Health Management Dietitians are skilled in helping you improve those fussy eating behaviours. Some ways we can help include;

-       Eat together as a family at the dinner table

-       Mealtimes should be a positive experience, with positive discussions and behaviours to set a good example

-       Avoid distractions such as television, phones, tablets, etc.

-       Allow 20 minutes for children to eat their meal

-       Allow children to help with food preparation and cooking