Here’s how our Paediatric Dietitians can assist:
Growth and Development
- Assess growth patterns and any concerns
- Identify any nutrient deficiencies
- Provide strategies to assist with constipation, poor fluid intake and medication side effects
- Work together with parents to create individualised strategies to support healthy growth and development
Addressing Feeding Challenges
- Help with dietary concerns related to difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) or oral-motor challenges
- Collaborate with Speech Pathologist to ensure safe feeding experiences
Nutrition Support with Supplementation
- Identify potential vitamin and mineral deficiencies
- When necessary, recommend appropriate medical-grade oral nutrition supplements
Feeding Differences
- Help families navigate any feeding and sensory differences
- Reduce mealtime stress
- Optimise current preferred foods to ensure adequate nutrients for growth and development
- Provide guidance on exploring new foods and improving acceptance and variety
Collaboration with Multidisciplinary Team
- Work closely with the multidisciplinary team, including the Speech Pathologist, Occupational Therapist, and Behaviour Support Practitioner
- Attend multidisciplinary team meetings to ensure the best health outcomes
Education and Resources
- Offer guidance and practical strategies to help families incorporate them into their daily routines
- Where appropriate, provide nutrition-related resources and tools to assist
The Inclusive Nutrition Dietitians approach to feeding focuses on both the physical and emotional aspects of eating.
When supporting children, our Paediatric Dietitians incorporate evidence-based approaches and values from the Ellyn Satter’s Division of Responsibility in feeding and the Responsive Feeding therapy framework by RFT practitioners Rowell, Wong, Cormack, and Moreland
Ellyn Satter’s Division of Responsibility in Feeding provides a framework where parents and carers take responsibility for what, when, and where food is offered, while children are responsible for how much and whether to eat. This model promotes a positive relationship with food and fosters independence in eating.
The Responsive Feeding Therapy approach, as detailed by Rowell, Wong, Cormack, and Moreland, promotes the (re)discovery of internal cues, curiosity, and motivation while enhancing skills and confidence. It is adaptable, focuses on the feeding relationship, and nurtures autonomy.
Together, these models advocate for an inclusive and respectful approach to nutrition that considers individual feeding differences and promotes competence and confidence in eating.