Dietetics refers to the therapy that advises about nutrition, diet,
allergies, malnutrition, feeding, weight loss, food and management of
nutrition related diseases.
Dietetics, which is carried out by dietitians, translates up-to-date
scientific nutrition research into practical information to empower
individuals to improve their health, wellbeing and weight. Our paediatrics
dietitians specialise in working with children.
The dietitians at Kids Feeding Team take into account all sociological,
financial and psychological influences on a child's diet, weight and
lifestyle and give bespoke advice to help children achieve health and
nutrition goals.
What role does a dietitian play in a multidisciplinary feeding clinic
service?
Our dietitian's role is to assess your child's diet, nutritional intake,
and use objective measurements of weight and growth to ensure they are
growing and developing at the optimum level. Our dietitian has a leading
role within the multidisciplinary feeding service by conducting nutritional
assessments and providing appropriate dietetic treatment according to the
feeding or nutritional issues your child may be having. A dietitian also
decides if a multidisciplinary approach would be in the best interest of
the child, which could involve physiotherapy, occupational therapy or
speech and language therapy.
When would a child benefit from seeing the Kids Feeding Team dietitian?
A baby or child would benefit in seeing the Kids Feeding Team Dietitian if
there are any concerns regarding their growth, weight, or nutritional
status. Additionally parents would benefit if their child requires any
specialist support and practical nutritional advice with weaning, bottle
and/or breast feeding, fussiness or pickiness with food. Our specialist
paediatric dietitians have experience in breastfeeding, weaning, tube
feeding, tube weaning, weight management, allergies and picky eaters in
both the NHS and private sector. As part of a multidisciplinary
consultation, we can help make family mealtimes a happy and healthy
occasion. If your infant or child is struggling with feeding at any stage
of their feeding development, Kids Feeding Team can help with this. We
understand that your child may not fit the NHS criteria for a paediatric
dietitian and the waiting lists are lengthy, therefore, at Kids Feeding
Team we provide immediate access to experienced dietitians.
How does a dietitian help children with nutritional or eating issues?
A paediatric dietitian aims to improve the nutritional status of a child by
assessing their nutritional intake, nutritional status and then resolving
the feeding issues the child is experiencing via bespoke, practical
methods. These methods will depend on the nutritional problem, age and
barriers that are withholding your child's feeding development. Our
dietitian will work with your family and child to set goals to improve
their eating or allergies and ensure they are receiving a nutritionally
complete diet.
Meet Niamh...
Niamh is our committed Specialist Paediatric Dietitian who has experience in both the
NHS and private sectors. She understands the complex needs of each individual child
and their family to provide patient centred care which is results-focused, evidence based
and personable.
Which common conditions can dietetic therapy assist with?
A dietitian can treat any child where there are concerns regarding their
energy, calorie or nutritional intake. Here are some examples of conditions
we can help with:
-
Low body weight or malnourishment
-
Weight management (if you're worried your child may be overweight
or obese)
-
Faltering growth
-
Bottle feeding and breastfeeding
-
Weaning and/or complementary feeding
-
Improvement of diet (generically)
-
Fussy eating or picky eaters
-
Tube weaning
-
Allergies and intolerances: lactose intolerance, cow's milk protein
allergy, coeliac disease, nut allergies, wheat allergy and
intolerances, egg intolerance
-
Digestive problems
-
Diet related eczema
If your concern isn't listed on here but you think we could be able to
help, let us know. For more information find out about what we treat.
Logan self feeding watsit
Make a referral
To refer a child to our services this can be done online, or by calling 0161 820 8262 or emailing office@kids feedingteam.co.uk
Refer Now
What does a dietetic assessment involve?
In the initial dietetic assessment, the dietitian will establish a
relationship with you and your child; allowing to to explain the problems
your child is having with their eating. The assessment will involve
measuring the child's growth, weight, nutritional intake through dietary
recalls, fluid balance, regularity of stools and barriers to feeding. Any
previous medical history, growth charts or information you have will come
in handy. The root cause may be an individual problem or something that can
be worked on as a family. The dietitian will be able to give practical
food, lifestyle and behavioural advice to help improve your child's growth
and way of life.
What type of dietetic treatment is available for children with nutritional
or eating issues?
Our dietetic assessment and treatment varies according to the nutritional
or eating issue your baby or child is experiencing. Our treatment involves
assessing the diet history and working together to implant a feeding plan
which suits your family's lifestyle, culture and beliefs. We offer
educative services of one-to-one, family or group therapy depending on what
works for you. The dietitian will advise if they think your child needs a
multidisciplinary service where physiotherapists, speech and language and
occupational therapists are included in the consultations if dietetics
therapy in isolation will suffice.
Logan happy having length taken
Summary
Our dietitians here at Kids Feeding Team use up-to-date evidence to ensure your child gets the highest quality dietetic care possible. Additionally, we can offer a multidisciplinary service of health professionals if it is appropriate for your child. Our experienced dietitian can and improve the nutritional status with bespoke feeding plans assess and treat your child even if they do not meet the criteria to see an NHS dietitian. Our multidisciplinary team will try to alleviate the physical and nutritional problems so your child can feed to their best ability and withhold any nutritional problems that may occur. If you think your child would benefit from seeing our feeding team dietitian please contact us.