Comprehensive Paediatric, Toddlers and Children Nutrition Support: Addressing Diverse Feeding Challenges. What every parent needs to know.

Children thriving with healthy eating habits, enjoying nutritious meals and positive mealtime experiences.

Feeding and nutrition can be a source of stress for many families. Personalised, evidence-based support to help infants, children, and adolescents grow healthily while developing a positive relationship with food will promote healthy eating behaviours. Whether your child has feeding difficulties, digestive issues, growth concerns, or requires specialised support, understanding the issues and solutions can empower you as a parent.

Q1: Why is my baby or toddler struggling to feed or gain weight?

Feeding difficulties in infants and toddlers are surprisingly common and can stem from a variety of causes. Babies born prematurely may have underdeveloped oral motor skills, making it harder to suck, swallow, and coordinate breathing during feeds. Other children may have sensory sensitivities, gastrointestinal issues, or underlying medical conditions that interfere with feeding. Research shows that responsive feeding caregivers recognising and responding to hunger and fullness cues supports healthy growth, encourages a positive feeding relationship, and can reduce stress for both child and parent [1]. Regular monitoring of growth, along with early intervention by a dietitian, ensures that nutritional gaps are addressed promptly and effectively.

Q2: My child seems very picky. How can I help them develop healthier eating habits?

Picky eating and selective food preferences are common, particularly in toddlers and young children, and can create anxiety around mealtimes. Research indicates that repeated, positive exposure to new foods without pressure is an effective way to expand a child’s food acceptance [2]. Structured approaches to mealtimes, such as offering small portions of new foods alongside familiar favourites and creating a calm, distraction-free environment. Over time, these strategies can help children gradually increase the variety of foods they eat while reducing mealtime tension and negative associations with eating.

Q3: How can digestive issues, allergies, or deficiencies affect my child’s nutrition?

Many children experience gastrointestinal problems, such as reflux, constipation, or colic, which can impact their comfort and appetite. Food allergies and intolerances, like coeliac disease, may also limit dietary options and increase the risk of nutritional deficiencies, particularly iron and vitamin D. Addressing these issues requires a careful, individualised approach. Evidence shows that dietary adjustments, monitoring for deficiencies, and, when necessary, supplementation can significantly improve both growth outcomes and overall well-being [3]. A dietitian can also provide strategies to manage symptoms while maintaining balanced nutrition.

Q4: What about children with disordered eating or developmental challenges?

Disordered eating, including conditions like ARFID, can affect children’s willingness to eat a balanced diet and may contribute to growth or nutrient concerns. Similarly, children with ADHD, Autism, or other disabilities may have unique sensory, behavioural, or motor needs that influence feeding. Research emphasises that individualised interventions, often delivered by a multidisciplinary team, are highly effective in supporting these children [4]. Working closely with families to implement practical strategies that address medical, behavioural, and sensory components of feeding, ensuring children can meet their nutritional needs while reducing mealtime stress.

Q5: How can families access support under the NDIS for feeding and nutrition?

Families of children with disabilities may be eligible for support through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), which can fund specialised dietetic services, feeding therapy, and nutritional education. Evidence shows that early, individualised support under such programmes improves feeding outcomes, growth, and quality of life [5]. Working with NDIS-registered dietitians ensures that plans are tailored to each child’s specific needs, from addressing selective eating and sensory challenges to managing tube feeding or complex nutritional requirements.

Q6: What services can help children with nutrition and feeding challenges?

Children with feeding difficulties or complex nutritional needs can benefit from a range of specialised support services. These include guidance on formula use and the introduction of solids, strategies for managing fussy or selective eating, and interventions for sensory-related feeding challenges. Growth monitoring and assessment help ensure children are meeting their developmental milestones, while targeted support can address gastrointestinal issues such as reflux, colic, or constipation. Children with allergies, intolerances, or coeliac disease may require tailored dietary plans to ensure nutritional adequacy, and those with nutrient deficiencies, including iron or vitamin D, may need supplementation or dietary adjustments. Additionally, interventions for disordered eating, including ARFID, and support for children with ADHD, Autism, or other disabilities can be critical in helping children meet their nutritional needs. For children requiring enteral (tube) feeding, specialised guidance ensures safe and effective nutritional delivery. Overall, these services aim to equip families with practical strategies, promote healthy growth, and foster positive relationships with food.

Feeding and nutrition challenges can feel overwhelming, but with evidence-based guidance, personalised strategies, and professional support, families can help their children grow, thrive, and enjoy food confidently. Partnering with families to address medical, behavioural, and developmental feeding needs ensuring every child has the best possible start for lifelong health and wellbeing.

References

1. World Health Organization. (2023). Infant and young child feeding. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/infant-and-young-child-feeding

2. Liotto, N., Cresi, F., et al. (2020). Complementary Feeding in Preterm Infants: A Systematic Review. Nutrients, 12(6), 1843. https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/12/6/1843

3. NSW Health. (2016). Guideline: Food Allergy and Nutrition in Children. https://www1.health.nsw.gov.au/pds/ActivePDSDocuments/GL2016_007.pdf

4. ScienceDirect. (2025). Disordered Eating Interventions in Children: Evidence-Based Approaches. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0195666325003642

5. Early Start Australia. (2024). Dietetic Services for Children with Disabilities. https://www.earlystartaustralia.com.au/service/dietetics/