Can I see a dietitian privately without a GP referral?

Yes. Registered dietitians can be seen privately without a referral in the UK, USA, Canada, and Australia. Private paediatric dietitian appointments are typically available within 1–2 weeks. A GP referral may be required for NHS (UK) or public system referrals in Canada and Australia, depending on province or state.

What is the difference between a dietitian and a nutritionist?

A registered dietitian is a protected professional title requiring an accredited degree and registration with a regulatory body (e.g. HCPC in the UK, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics in the USA). They are qualified to work with medical conditions and clinical nutrition. 'Nutritionist' is not always a protected title — anyone can use it. For clinical concerns, always seek a registered dietitian.

How long does a paediatric dietitian appointment typically last?

Initial appointments are usually 45–60 minutes. Follow-up appointments may be 20–30 minutes. The dietitian will take a full dietary history, review growth data, and provide tailored recommendations. Completing a 3-day food diary before the appointment is usually helpful.

At what age is selective eating considered a problem?

Selective eating ('fussy eating') is developmentally normal in toddlers aged 2–5 and often resolves with time. It becomes a clinical concern if it is severely restricting nutritional intake across multiple food groups, causing significant distress, or affecting growth. Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) is a recognised clinical condition that a dietitian and psychologist can assess and treat.

My child was just diagnosed with coeliac disease. Do they need a dietitian?

Yes — a referral to a registered dietitian is part of standard care for coeliac disease. A strict gluten-free diet is the only treatment, and getting it right requires understanding hidden sources of gluten, cross-contamination, and ensuring nutritional adequacy. A dietitian will guide you through the transition and provide ongoing support.

Can a dietitian help with childhood obesity?

Yes. Paediatric dietitians work with children across the weight spectrum. For weight management, the focus is on healthy eating patterns, reducing ultra-processed food, improving dietary variety, and supporting the whole family — not on restrictive dieting, which is not appropriate for growing children.

When to Seek Professional Nutrition Advice for Your Child

Source: NHS, British Dietetic Association, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics | Last reviewed: April 2026

Most families manage children's nutrition without needing specialist input — and most phases of fussy eating, meal refusal, or food preference resolve with time and patience. But in some situations, input from a registered paediatric dietitian is genuinely valuable or clinically necessary. This guide helps you recognise when to seek help and how to access it.

Most Eating Variation Is Normal

Before seeking specialist advice, it helps to know what is within the expected range:

Selective eating in toddlers (2–5 years) is extremely common and usually temporary. Offering variety without pressure, avoiding battles, and role-modelling eating are the most effective strategies.
Food jags — periods where a child only wants one or two foods — are a normal developmental phase and usually self-limiting.
Variable appetite is normal in children. Appetite is regulated by growth spurts; toddlers eat less than infants because their growth rate has slowed.
Disliking vegetables is nearly universal in young children and does not require professional intervention on its own.

The question is not whether your child is eating perfectly, but whether their overall nutrition is adequate for healthy growth and development.

Signs That a Paediatric Dietitian May Be Needed

1. Consistent Refusal of Entire Food Groups

If a child is consistently refusing an entire food group — all proteins, all vegetables, all dairy, all grains — and this is affecting their nutritional intake, a dietitian can assess whether deficiencies are developing and provide practical strategies.

If your child's weight has dropped across centile lines, they are not gaining weight as expected, or their growth has plateaued without explanation, a dietitian (often alongside a GP or paediatrician) can assess whether nutritional intake is a contributing factor.

3. Medical Conditions Requiring Nutritional Management

Several conditions require careful dietary management that goes beyond general healthy eating advice:

Condition	Why a Dietitian Helps
Coeliac disease	Strict gluten-free diet; nutritional adequacy monitoring
Food allergies (multiple or severe)	Exclusion diets; ensuring nutritional completeness
Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes	Carbohydrate management, meal timing, insulin ratio guidance
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)	Nutritional support during flares; elemental diet guidance
Cystic fibrosis	High-calorie needs; enzyme dosing and nutrition optimisation
Phenylketonuria (PKU)	Phenylalanine restriction from diagnosis
Kidney disease	Fluid, potassium, phosphate management
ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder)	Collaborative work with dietitian + psychologist

For all of the above, a paediatric dietitian is typically a core member of the care team.

4. Infant Feeding Difficulties

For infants not gaining weight adequately, experiencing significant reflux, showing signs of feeding aversion, or where breastfeeding is not going well, a feeding specialist or paediatric dietitian can provide targeted support. This is particularly relevant for premature infants or those with neurological conditions affecting swallowing.

5. Eating Disorders in Older Children and Teenagers

Anorexia nervosa, bulimia, and ARFID all require specialist multidisciplinary support. A paediatric dietitian works alongside mental health professionals to address both the psychological and nutritional aspects of eating disorders. Do not attempt to manage an eating disorder with dietary advice alone.

6. Vegetarian or Vegan Children: Ensuring Adequacy

Well-planned vegetarian and vegan diets can be nutritionally adequate for children, but require attention to key nutrients — vitamin B12, iron, zinc, calcium, omega-3, and vitamin D. If you are raising a child on a plant-based diet, a paediatric dietitian can confirm the diet is meeting all requirements, particularly in infancy and during the adolescent growth spurt.

How to Access a Paediatric Dietitian

United Kingdom (NHS)

Ask your GP for a referral to a paediatric dietitian. Hospital outpatient dietitian departments accept referrals for most of the conditions above. Waiting times vary by region; private appointments (typically £80–£150/session) are available immediately via the British Dietetic Association directory (bda.uk.com/find-a-dietitian).

United States

Paediatric dietitians (Registered Dietitian Nutritionists — RDNs) can be found via the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (eatright.org). Many are covered by health insurance; check your plan's in-network providers. Hospital-based paediatric dietitians are accessible via referral through your paediatrician.

Canada

Public health system dietitian referrals are available through your family doctor or paediatrician. Private sessions are available (typically C$100–$200/session) and increasingly covered by extended health benefits. Dietitians of Canada maintains a directory (dietitians.ca).

Australia

A paediatric dietitian referral through your GP (Medicare) may attract a rebate under a Chronic Disease Management (CDM) plan. Private dietitian services are widely available. Dietitians Australia directory: dietitiansaustralia.org.au.

What to Expect at the Appointment

At a first paediatric dietitian appointment, expect:

Detailed dietary history — a typical day's eating, portion sizes, meal times, appetite patterns
Food and behaviour history — any known allergies, aversions, past feeding difficulties
Growth data review — the dietitian will look at recent and historical growth measurements
Physical and clinical context — current medications, conditions, bowel habits
Tailored recommendations — specific, practical suggestions, not generic advice
Follow-up plan — most situations require 2–4 sessions

If possible, complete a 3-day food diary before the appointment. Record everything your child eats and drinks, including amounts. This is the single most useful thing you can bring.

How Many Calories Does a Child Need? — reference ranges by age and sex
Balanced Diet Basics for Children — food group guidance
Hydration Guidance for Children by Age — water and fluid intake
Child Nutrition Calculator — estimated daily calorie and hydration guidance
Picky Eating: When Is It Normal? — understanding selective eating and when it warrants professional input

This guide is for general information only. For personalised advice, consult a registered paediatric dietitian or your child's GP.

When to Seek Professional Nutrition Advice for Your Child

When to Seek Professional Nutrition Advice for Your Child

Frequently Asked Questions