What is a Paediatric Dietitian?
Have you ever wondered what a paediatric dietitian does and how they might be able to help you and your child? Let’s explore their role, the different settings they work in, and why choosing an Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) is important.
What Does a Paediatric Dietitian Do?
A paediatric dietitian is a health professional who specializes in children’s nutrition. They support families with a wide range of nutrition needs, from picky eating and allergies to managing health conditions that require special diets. Paediatric dietitians work in various settings, such as:
- Hospitals and Clinics: Working as part of a healthcare team, they provide tailored nutrition care to support children’s growth, health, and recovery.
- Community Health Centers: Dietitians here often run programs promoting healthy eating and physical activity, helping prevent childhood obesity and chronic diseases.
- Childcare Centers and Schools: They may consult on menus, ensuring that meals align with national guidelines for balanced nutrition, and support growth in children.
- Sports Organisations: In these roles, dietitians specialize in sports nutrition for young athletes, helping them fuel their bodies properly for activity and recovery.
- Research, Education, and Policy Work: Some dietitians work with government or non-profits to develop health programs, food standards, and public health messages to benefit children on a larger scale.
Each of these areas contributes to supporting families and communities in providing children with the best nutrition possible.
What Is an APD, and Why Is It Important?
In Australia, dietitians who hold the Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) credential have achieved the highest standard in dietetics, ensuring safe and reliable advice. Unlike nutritionists, APDs must meet strict requirements set by Dietitians Australia. Here’s what makes APDs uniquely qualified:
- Extensive Education: APDs have completed accredited degrees in dietetics, covering clinical nutrition, medical nutrition therapy, and supervised training.
- Ethical Standards: They are bound by a professional code, ensuring that their advice is evidence-based and patient-centered.
- Ongoing Education: To keep their skills and knowledge current, APDs must complete at least 30 hours of continuing professional development (CPD) each year.
- Regulated Title: While some APDs may also use the term “nutritionist,” only APDs are recognized as dietitians in Australia. Nutritionists in Australia don’t have to meet the same regulated standards, so if you’re seeking specialized nutrition support, especially for children, an APD is the best choice.
When Might You Need a Paediatric Dietitian?
You might wonder when a paediatric dietitian can be helpful. The answer depends on the unique nutrition needs of your family. Common reasons to see a paediatric dietitian include:
- Weight and Growth Issues: Whether a child is struggling to gain weight or growing too quickly or have growth challenges, dietitians can help children achieve a healthy growth pattern.
- Infant Nutrition: For families needing guidance with feeding infants, dietitians provide support for breastfeeding, formula feeding, starting solids, and understanding safe food preparation.
- Food Allergies and Intolerances: Paediatric dietitians help families manage diets when children have allergies or intolerances, ensuring ensuring children continue to get all the nutrients they need for growth and stay strong while avoiding allergens.
- Picky Eating: Dietitians work with families to support children who are extremely selective with foods. They offer practical strategies to encourage a balanced diet whilst maintaining a positive mealtime experience.
- Special Needs Diets: Children with conditions like autism spectrum disorder often benefit from dietitians’ support to expand their food choices and meet nutritional needs.
- Eating Disorders: Paediatric dietitians work alongside psychologists and paediatricians to support children with eating disorders as part of a comprehensive care team.
- Nutrient Deficiencies: For children with nutrient deficiencies, dietitians help families find ways to boost these nutrients through food and monitor their overall health progress.
- Therapeutic Diets: Some children require specific diets, such as a ketogenic diet for seizure management or low FODMAP for digestive issues. Dietitians help families manage these diets safely and whilst maintaining an ongoing balanced diet to promote health and growth.
- Tube Feeding Support: For children on tube feeds, dietitians provide guidance to ensure nutritional needs are met and coming up with meal plans that work around the family’s structure.
What to Expect When You See a Paediatric Dietitian
A visit to a paediatric dietitian is all about understanding and supporting your child’s nutrition. Here’s what the process typically looks like:
- Referral Acceptance: Many paediatric dietitians accept referrals from GPs, pediatricians, or other health professionals, though you can often schedule a consultation directly.
- Initial Consultation: The dietitian will spend time understanding your child’s health, medical history, food preferences, and any challenges you face. Here, you can expect dietitians to ask questions about your child’s health, diet and lifestyle to have a better understanding around your relationship with food and to identify any nutrition issues.
- Individualized Plan: Based on the consultation, the dietitian will create a nutrition plan designed to meet your child’s needs and goals, which might include new foods to try, recipes, or mealtime strategies.
- Record Keeping: Dietitians document each visit, tracking progress and adapting their recommendations as needed. This ensures that they can revisit what has or hasn’t worked and adjust your child’s nutrition plan on your follow up visit.
- Team Communication: If needed, the dietitian may work with your child’s other healthcare providers—like GPs, therapists, or pediatricians—to ensure everyone is informed and involved in supporting your child’s health.
In some cases, dietitians may even liaise with teachers, especially if your child’s eating challenges show up at school. For example, if a child has difficulty eating at school due to distractions or is a slow eater, the dietitian might help teachers make adjustments.
A paediatric dietitian can be a valuable ally in supporting your child’s nutrition journey, whether it’s helping with a health condition, managing picky eating, or ensuring balanced nutrition. Working with an APD gives you peace of mind that the advice is reliable, evidence-based, and tailored to your child’s unique needs.
