What Happens at Your Child’s First Private Paediatric Dietetics Appointment?

Knowing what to expect at your child’s first private dietetics appointment can help you prepare and make the most of the time. Here is a step-by-step guide to what typically happens.

Before the Appointment

Most paediatric dietitians will send you a pre-appointment questionnaire and ask you to complete a food diary covering three to five typical days. This is one of the most valuable things you can do: a detailed record of what your child eats and drinks (including portion sizes and any refusals) gives the dietitian a clear picture before they have even met your child.

Gather any relevant documents: your child’s red book or growth charts, results of any blood tests or investigations, previous dietetics or feeding team reports, and a list of any supplements or prescribed feeds your child currently uses.

The Initial Assessment

The dietitian will begin by taking a thorough history. This will include your child’s medical background, birth and early feeding history (including whether they were breastfed or bottle-fed, and when they were weaned), current eating patterns and any specific concerns, the impact of eating difficulties on family life, and any relevant diagnoses such as autism, ADHD, coeliac disease, or food allergies.

They will review your child’s growth charts and calculate their nutritional requirements based on age, weight, and health status. If your child has not been weighed recently, the clinic may do this during the appointment.

Observation and Assessment

If your child has feeding difficulties rather than a purely nutritional concern, the dietitian or feeding specialist may observe your child eating a snack or small meal during the appointment. If this is not possible in clinic, a video of a typical mealtime at home is an excellent substitute and increasingly used as a standard part of feeding assessments.

The Plan

By the end of the appointment you should leave with a clear understanding of what the dietitian has found, a personalised plan addressing your child’s specific nutritional or feeding needs, practical guidance you can implement at home immediately, and an outline of next steps, including any further investigations and a proposed follow-up schedule.

The Written Report

A written report is usually available within one to three weeks. This sets out the assessment findings, dietary recommendations, and any referrals suggested. It is suitable for sharing with school, your child’s GP or paediatrician, and the local authority if you are applying for or reviewing an EHCP.