A paediatric dietitian specialises in the nutritional needs of babies, children, and teenagers — supporting healthy growth and development at every stage. Unlike general nutrition advice aimed at adults, paediatric dietetics takes into account a child's rapid growth, changing nutritional requirements, and the emotional and behavioural side of eating.

In practice, this might involve assessing your child's growth and eating patterns, identifying any nutritional gaps or concerns, and creating a personalised plan to support them — whether that's helping with fussy or selective eating, managing a food allergy or intolerance, supporting weight or growth concerns, working alongside a feeding or swallowing difficulty, or helping a family navigate a new diagnosis like coeliac disease.

As dietitians, we're also regulated healthcare professionals (HCPC-registered), so the advice we give is evidence-based and tailored specifically to your child — not a generic meal plan.

This is one of the most common questions we get, and it's an important one when you're choosing who to trust with your child's nutrition and health.

"Dietitian" is a legally protected title in the UK. To call yourself a dietitian, you must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) — which means completing a specific degree-level qualification, undergoing supervised clinical placements, and meeting ongoing professional standards. As registered dietitians, we're regulated in exactly the same way as other healthcare professionals like physiotherapists or occupational therapists, and we're bound by a professional code of conduct.

"Nutritionist," on the other hand, is not a protected title. In theory, anyone can call themselves a nutritionist regardless of their training or qualifications — though many nutritionists are genuinely well-qualified (for example, those registered with the Association for Nutrition, or AfN). The key difference is that dietitians are trained to diagnose and treat medical and clinical nutrition conditions — such as food allergies, faltering growth, coeliac disease, or tube feeding — using an evidence-based approach, whereas nutritionists typically focus on general healthy eating advice and aren't trained to manage clinical conditions.

For parents, this means that if your child has a diagnosed medical condition, a complex feeding difficulty, or you simply want advice you can fully trust is evidence-based and safe, a registered paediatric dietitian is the right professional to see.

We support babies, children, and teenagers with a wide range of nutrition and feeding concerns, including fussy or selective eating, weaning, faltering growth, weight management, food allergies and intolerances, coeliac disease, and gut issues like constipation and reflux.

We also have expertise in more complex conditions, including blended diet via gastrostomy tube, eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE), and ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder) — as well as other complex medical and feeding conditions. If you don't see your specific concern listed, please get in touch; we're happy to discuss whether we can support you.

No — you don't need a referral from your GP, health visitor, or paediatrician to book an appointment with us. Parents and carers can self-refer and book directly, which means you can get support as soon as you feel it's needed, without waiting for a referral or appointment through the NHS.

That said, some families do come to us with a referral letter or background from their GP, paediatrician, or another healthcare professional, and we're always happy to review this alongside your own concerns. If your child is already under the care of another specialist (such as a gastroenterologist, allergist, or speech and language therapist), we're also glad to liaise with them as part of your child's care.

If you're unsure whether we're the right fit for your child's needs, feel free to get in touch before booking — we're happy to have a quick chat first.

We offer appointments face-to-face, virtually via video call, or as a home visit, so you can choose whatever works best for your family. Wherever it takes place, the structure of the assessment is the same.

We'll start by taking a detailed history — this includes your child's medical background, growth pattern, current diet, mealtime routines, and any specific concerns you have. We'll ask about things like typical meals and snacks, food preferences and aversions, feeding skills, growth over time, and any relevant medical or developmental information. If your child sees other healthcare professionals, we'll also want to know a bit about that wider picture.

From there, we'll work with you to identify realistic, achievable goals and put together a personalised plan — whether that's practical strategies for mealtimes, dietary changes, or support around a specific diagnosis. We'll explain our reasoning clearly and make sure you leave the appointment with a clear idea of next steps.

It's worth noting that as dietitians, we don't carry out blood tests or other medical investigations — our assessment is based on dietary, growth, and clinical history. Where blood tests or further medical investigation would be helpful, we'll always recommend you discuss this with your GP or paediatrician, and we're happy to liaise with them directly. We also work closely with a network of private paediatricians across the north west, so if a referral for a medical review would be useful, we can refer on to the right person.

Every child is different, so appointments are tailored to age, needs, and the reason for referral — but the aim is always the same: a thorough, judgement-free assessment that leaves you with practical next steps.

We offer a range of appointment types to fit what works best for your family:

Face-to-face appointments, held in person for those who prefer an in-clinic visit and want that direct, hands-on approach — useful for things like weighing and measuring your child, or observing a feeding session.

Virtual appointments, held over video call, which many families find convenient — especially as we work with clients across the whole country, not just locally. Virtual appointments are just as thorough as in-person ones and are a great option if travel isn't practical.

Home visits, where we come to you. This can be particularly helpful for assessing feeding in your child's own environment, at their usual mealtime, with their usual routine — which often gives us a much more accurate picture than a clinic setting would.

Whichever format you choose, you'll get the same thorough, personalised assessment and follow-up support. If you're not sure which option is right for your family, get in touch and we can help you decide.

We want appointments to be as accessible and transparent as possible, so here's a breakdown of our current fees:

Virtual appointments can be booked directly online: new appointments are £85, and reviews are £65.

Face-to-face appointments are £100 for a new appointment and £80 for a review. These aren't bookable directly online — please get in touch with us to arrange a face-to-face appointment.

Home visits are quoted individually based on your location, as travel is factored into the cost — get in touch and we'll provide a tailored quote.

We're also recognised by all major private health insurers, so if you have private health insurance, your appointments may be fully or partially covered. It's worth checking directly with your provider to confirm your cover and any pre-authorisation needed.

We understand that plans can change. If you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment, we ask for at least 48 hours' notice wherever possible, so we can offer the slot to another family.

• Cancellations or reschedules with 48+ hours' notice: no charge.

• Cancellations with less than 48 hours' notice, or missed appointments: charged at the full appointment fee.

• Late arrivals: if you're running late, please let us know — we'll do our best to accommodate you, but your appointment may be shortened or need to be rebooked if there isn't enough time remaining.

We know things sometimes happen unexpectedly (illness, emergencies) — please just get in touch as soon as you can, and we'll always try to be flexible where we can.

Yes — with your consent, we're always happy to liaise with your child's school, GP, or any other healthcare professionals involved in their care.

For schools, this might include providing guidance for staff around mealtimes, snack provisions, or managing a specific dietary need (such as an allergy or tube feeding) during the school day, so your child is well supported outside of home too.

For GPs and other medical professionals, we're happy to share updates, reports, or letters following an appointment, and to work alongside any other specialists your child sees — such as a paediatrician, gastroenterologist, speech and language therapist, or allergist — so everyone involved in your child's care is on the same page.

We'll always ask for your permission before sharing any information, and you're welcome to let us know at the start of your appointment if there's anyone specific you'd like us to loop in.

Booking with us is quick and straightforward. Virtual appointments can be booked directly online here — just select the appointment type that suits you (new or review) and choose a time that works for your family.

For face-to-face appointments, these need to be organised directly with us rather than booked online — simply get in touch here and we'll arrange a suitable time and location.

For home visits, again, get in touch here with a few details about your child and location, and we'll provide a tailored quote along with the next available appointment times.

If you're not sure which type of appointment is right for your child, or have any questions before booking, feel free to contact us first — we're always happy to help you find the best fit.

Yes, fussy eating is incredibly common, and in many cases it's a completely normal part of childhood development. Most children go through phases of being more selective with food — particularly toddlers, who are naturally wired to be cautious about new foods as part of their development. This is sometimes called "food neophobia," and it's a normal survival instinct, not a sign that you're doing something wrong as a parent.

That said, we know it can still feel stressful, exhausting, and worrying, especially when mealtimes become a daily battle or you're concerned your child isn't eating enough variety or getting the nutrients they need.

There are some signs that it may be worth seeking extra support, rather than waiting for it to pass on its own — for example, if your child is eating a very limited range of foods (fewer than around 20), losing foods from their diet over time, experiencing significant mealtime distress, showing signs of poor growth, or if fussy eating is affecting family life and mealtimes altogether. These can sometimes be signs of something more, such as ARFID, and getting support early can make a real difference.

Whether it's a "normal" phase or something that needs a closer look, we're always happy to help you understand what's going on and put together a plan that makes mealtimes feel calmer for the whole family.

Item deThis is such an important question, and one we get asked a lot — the way we talk about food and bodies at home has a big influence on how children feel about both, often well into adulthood.

A few key principles we encourage parents to keep in mind:

Keep food neutral. Try to avoid labelling foods as "good" or "bad," or "healthy" or "junk." Instead, foods can simply be described by what they are — "growing foods," "everyday foods," "sometimes foods" — or just by name. This helps children build a relaxed, guilt-free relationship with all foods, rather than associating certain foods with shame.

Separate food from body talk. Try to avoid linking food choices to weight, size, or appearance — for your child or for yourself. Comments like "I shouldn't eat that, I'll get fat" or "you've earned a treat" (linking food to behaviour or exercise) can unintentionally teach children to see food as something to be managed or earned, rather than something that nourishes and can be enjoyed.

Model a relaxed relationship with your own body and food. Children are always watching. If they see you speaking negatively about your own body, dieting, or restricting food, they absorb that far more than any direct conversation you have with them.

Focus on what bodies can do, not what they look like. Praising strength, energy, or growth ("your legs got you up that hill so fast!") rather than appearance helps children value their bodies for their function, not their shape.

Answer questions honestly and simply. If your child asks about body size, difference, or growth, it's fine to answer plainly and age-appropriately, without over-explaining or attaching moral value to the answer.

If you're navigating a specific situation — for example, your child has made a comment that's worried you, or you're supporting a child who's had comments made about their body or eating at school — it can really help to talk it through with a professional. We support families with exactly this kind of conversation, and we're always happy to help you find the right words for your child's age and situation.

Weight Management — Supportive, non-judgemental guidance to help your child reach and maintain a healthy weight for their age and stage.

Plant-based Diets — Ensuring your child gets everything they need to thrive on a vegetarian or vegan diet.

Eosinophilic Oesophagitis — Dietary management of EoE, including elimination diets and food reintroduction, alongside your child's gastroenterology team.

ARFID Support — Compassionate, evidence-based support to help children with ARFID expand their diet without added pressure.

Fussy Eating and Feeding Difficulties — Practical strategies to make mealtimes calmer and help your child build a positive relationship with food.

Weaning and Starting Solids — Confident, evidence-based guidance for introducing your baby to solid food.

Cow's Milk Protein Allergy — Support with diagnosis, elimination, and safe reintroduction of cow's milk protein.

Constipation — Dietary strategies to help manage and relieve childhood constipation.

Toddler Diarrhoea — Identifying dietary causes and practical steps to settle symptoms.

Food Allergies and Intolerances — Safe, confident management of your child's allergies without unnecessary restriction.

Faltering Growth and Poor Weight Gain — Tailored plans to support healthy growth when your child isn't gaining weight as expected.

Reflux and Vomiting — Dietary support to help ease reflux symptoms and feeding discomfort.

Coeliac Disease — Guidance on a safe, balanced, and enjoyable gluten-free diet for your child.

Gastrointestinal Conditions — Support for a range of gut-related conditions affecting your child's diet and comfort.

Nutritional Deficiencies — Identifying and correcting gaps in your child's diet to support healthy growth and development.