Paediatric Dietitian Services
Paediatric Dietitians on the Gold Coast, at our Burleigh Waters clinic and by telehealth. We provide services to all children 0-18 years, with some support also available to young adults with disabilities.
Phone 07 5559 9888
You don’t need expensive foods, complicated recipes, or restrictive diets to support your child’s health and wellbeing.
Our dietitians take the time to understand your child’s lifestyle, eating habits, and unique needs. We work closely with children and their families to provide practical, personalised nutrition advice that fits into everyday life.
Families often come to us when a child’s nutrition needs change due to disability, complex health conditions, or new priorities in their care.
Every appointment is centred around you and your child, your life, your health, your goals, and your food.
Our Dietitians can help with
Infant Feeding
Feeding your baby isn’t always easy. There is so much information and advice available, but which is the right approach for you and your bub?Breastfeeding, bottle feeding, starting solids is a new world to navigate. Baby led weaning, vegetarian and vegan feeding; Let us help to support you in the early days to set your bub up for lifelong love of feeding and eating!
Growth
Scales aren’t always the best measure. We incorporate other measurements of your child’s growth and body composition to work towards optimising your child’s growth and health.Intake
We have software and app ideas that can provide a detailed breakdown of your nutrient intake and identify and address any gaps. Meeting your child’s nutrient needs is the foundation of good health.Behaviour change support & personalised strategies
Eating is a behaviour that is complicated by many aspects of your child’s life such as their hunger and fullness cycle, developmental stage, sensory preferences and associated picky eating. We have a range of strategies to help your child develop a healthy relationship with food and take the stress out of mealtimes.Feeding plans
Detailed feeding plans are developed with you to incorporate easy to implement ideas, targeting key nutrients into your child’s current eating habitsRecipe Ideas
We can compile a collection of recipes that suit your child’s health goals and your lifestyle. We can work with daycare and schools to adapt food availability and support your child’s eating.
Support using specialised products
Sometimes littlies need more. Their medical background may mean they burn calories quicker, or require texture modified diets. The use of specialised nutrition products for a targeted goal can be useful. We can support you accessing these products at the most affordable pricing and help you navigate the inclusion of these within your NDIS funding.
Tube feeding
Once established on nasogastric or gastrostomy feeding, our dietitian will provide you practical ways and ongoing support to optimise your child’s tube feeds to support their growth and development.
Blended Tube Feeds for gastrostomies
Thinking about trying blended tube feeds? We can provide a thorough assessment of your child’s needs and discuss options, develop recipes and meal plans and assist you in your journey.
Tube weaning
When your child is ready, we help them move from tube feeds to eating and drinking by mouth, step by step, working with your child’s medical team.
ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder)
Some children eat a very small range of foods, or very little, for reasons other than being fussy. We help families understand what is going on and build a plan to widen what their child can eat, at a pace that feels safe.
Where we see your child
- At our Burleigh Waters clinic in Treetops Square, 2 Classic Way.
- By telehealth, at home.
- Dietetics is not offered at our Hope Island clinic. Families from the northern Gold Coast can see our Dietitians by telehealth.
Getting started
- Send a referral through our contact form, call 07 5559 9888 or come in and see reception. You do not need a letter from a GP; most families refer their child themselves.
- We send you an intake form about your child, what support they may need, and their strengths and interests.
- Our Directors read it and match your child with the therapist best suited to their needs. Some families have an intake meeting with a Director first to set goals together.
Depending on waitlists, a first appointment can be as soon as the next day.
Fees and funding
See Therapist Fees and Funding. We see clients with self-managed or plan-managed NDIS plans. Medicare rebates may apply with a GP or specialist referral, and eligible Medicare rebates can be claimed on the spot at reception. Families with private health extras cover may be able to claim a rebate; the Funding page explains each.
For a worked example, see What will I pay?
Our team
Our Dietitians are Accredited Practising Dietitians (APD) with Dietitians Australia.
Questions families ask
Is a Dietitian the same as a nutritionist?
Not quite. In Australia, Accredited Practising Dietitians are university-qualified and accredited by Dietitians Australia. Anyone can call themselves a nutritionist.
Do you see babies?
Yes. We support breastfeeding, bottle feeding and starting solids, including baby led weaning.
Can you help with ARFID or tube weaning?
Yes. Our Dietitians support children with ARFID and families weaning from tube feeds.
Can you help with a fussy eater?
Yes. We have strategies to help your child develop a healthy relationship with food and take the stress out of mealtimes. See also our fussy eaters tip sheet.
Can I use NDIS funding?
We see clients with self-managed or plan-managed NDIS plans. See Funding.
Can we see the Dietitian at Hope Island?
Not in person. Dietetics is at our Burleigh Waters clinic, or by telehealth.