Clinical Nutrition for Children in Sydney
Clinical Nutrition for kids aged 0-5 years in the Inner West
Evidence-based nutritional support for babies, toddlers, and young children. We provide nutritional support from first foods through to the early school years. Supporting little ones to grow, thrive, and build a healthy relationship with food.
Allergies & Eczema
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Gut Health
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Nutrient Deficiencies
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Growth Concerns
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Iron Deficiency
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Constipation
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Starting Solids
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Fussy Eating
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Allergen Introduction
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Allergies & Eczema ~ Gut Health ~ Nutrient Deficiencies ~ Growth Concerns ~ Iron Deficiency ~ Constipation ~ Starting Solids ~ Fussy Eating ~ Allergen Introduction ~
What is paediatric Clinical Nutrition?
Clinical nutrition is the study and practice of evidence-based nutrition to support, manage, and prevent disease. It is grounded in the relationship between what we eat, how our bodies metabolise food, and our overall health. When applied to children, this becomes one of the most impactful forms of preventative care available. The nutritional foundations established in the early years (especially in the first 1,000 days of life: from preconception to your child’s second birthday) shape how a child grows, develops, and experiences health for decades to come.
Rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, a Clinical Nutritionist trained in paediatric nutrition takes a detailed case history of your child. This includes their health background, growth history, pathology results, feeding behaviours, and dietary patterns, to build a genuinely personalised nutritional medicine program. Recommendations may include dietary modification, age-appropriate feeding strategies, and the precise prescription of therapeutic supplements where clinically indicated. The approach always starts with food first, building nourishing habits your child can carry for life.
Clinical nutritionists are degree-qualified allied health professionals who use scientific evidence to guide their practice. The focus is on food quality, nutrient density, and helping families understand how their child's individual body works. The goal is always lasting change, not a short-term fix.
At Papaya, we understand that feeding a young child is rarely simple. Our role is to support both your child and you with practical, realistic guidance that fits within the reality of your family's daily life.
FOOD FIRST
We build nourishing, enjoyable food habits before reaching for supplements. Supplements are only prescribed when food alone can't meet your child's needs.
Our Paediatric Nutrition Principles
MAKE FOOD FUN
We believe children develop the healthiest relationship with food when eating is low-pressure and positive. Our playful approach reflects that at every step.
SUPPORT THE WHOLE FAMILY
We work with parents and carers as much as we work with your child, because sustainable change happens at the family table, not just in the clinic.
INTEGRATED PAPAYA CARE
Your child's nutritionist works alongside our naturopaths, acupuncturists, and other practitioners. Integrated care, all under one roof.
The nutritional foundations laid in the first years of life have a profound impact on a child's long-term health. Our clinical nutritionist focuses on this window of opportunity: from prior to conception, to the very first bite to age five and beyond.
The first years matter most..
0 - 6 MONTHS
NEWBORN + INFANT
Supporting infant feeding, whether breast, formula, or mixed, and addressing early concerns like reflux, colic, antibiotic usage, and poor weight gain through maternal diet and infant-specific strategies.
6 - 12 months
starting solids
Guidance on when and how to introduce first foods, allergen introduction, textures and progressions, iron-rich foods, and building positive early experiences at mealtimes.
1 - 2 years
toddler transitions
Navigating the shift from milk feeds to family foods, managing the emergence of food preferences and refusals, supporting immune system health (hello daycare germs) and ensuring nutritional needs are met through a varied diet.
2 - 3 years
picky eating peaks
Understanding and responding to the developmentally normal peak of food refusal with strategies that reduce mealtime stress and expand variety without power struggles.
3 - 5 years
preschool years
Addressing persistent fussy eating, supporting children with allergies, eczema, or gut concerns entering childcare and school environments, consolidating healthy eating foundations and balanced lunchbox foundations.
any age
ongoing concerns
Iron deficiency, growth concerns, eczema, constipation, food refusal, and nutrient deficiencies can arise at any stage. We investigate the nutritional and underlying drivers and build a targeted plan.
When to see a Paediatric Nutritionist?
If you're worried about what your child is eating (or not eating) you're not alone, and you don't have to figure it out by yourself. Clinical nutrition can help.
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SOS Feeding Therapy-informed support to help children broaden the variety of foods they'll accept, with play-based strategies that reduce mealtime stress and build confidence, not anxiety.
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Evidence-based guidance on when to start, what to offer first, how to introduce allergens safely, how to progress textures, and how to make early mealtimes an enjoyable experience for everyone.
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Identifying dietary triggers, supporting skin barrier health, nutritional adequacy, and navigating food allergy management including the challenges of an exclusion diet and allergen reintroduction.
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Addressing chronic constipation, reflux, bloating, and food intolerances in infants, toddlers, and young children, with age-appropriate, food-first strategies to support a diverse microbiome and overall health.
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Assessing and addressing shortfalls in iron, zinc, vitamin D, omega-3s, calcium, and other nutrients critical to healthy childhood development, particularly in children with restricted diets or compromised gut health.
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Investigating the nutritional factors behind growth faltering, low weight gain, or concerns raised by your GP or paediatrician and building a practical plan to support healthy development.
What to expect when working with a Clinical Nutritionist
1. COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH ASSESSMENT
Your first consultation covers your child's full health history, growth record, feeding background, dietary patterns, and any relevant pathology. We take the time to understand the complete picture before making any recommendations.
2. PERSONALISED DIETARY PLAN
A personalised, food-first program designed around your child's age, stage, and specific needs, with practical meal and snack ideas that work for real family life, not just in theory.
3. feeding strategy & parent support
For children with fussy eating, feeding difficulties, or sensory concerns, we provide structured, evidence-based feeding strategies alongside education and support for parents and carers. Referrals will also be made for additional support if necessary.
4. targeted supplementation
Where diet alone cannot meet your child's nutritional needs, age-appropriate, professional-grade supplements are prescribed with precision. We take into account your child and family’s specific needs before making a considered clinical decision.
5. functional testing
Where clinically indicated, targeted testing can uncover nutritional drivers, including iron studies, micronutrient and mineral analysis, and microbiome profile. These are optional and recommended only when they will meaningfully change your child's care plan.
6. ongoing support & reviews
Children change quickly. Regular follow-ups ensure your child's plan evolves with their growth and development, and you'll leave every session with clear, actionable steps to take home.
7. Collaborative Care
As part of the Papaya team, your nutritionist works alongside naturopaths, pelvic health physios, acupuncturists, and other practitioners to ensure every aspect of your child’s health is addressed. Seeing one is seeing all, and most children’s health conditions benefit from our multidisciplinary approach.
Book an appointment with a Paediatric Clinical Nutritionist in Sydney
Whether you're navigating first foods, worried about what your toddler is eating, or dealing with a more complex health concern, we'd love to help. Book an initial consultation to get started.
Appointments are available in our Newtown location only. Please proceed to book your appointment below.
Any questions please read our FAQ PAGE!
FAQ
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To ensure a comprehensive and tailored consultation, please ensure you complete your child’s New Client Intake Form prior to your Initial Consultation, and forward us copies of their latest pathology tests, medical scans, and other relevant medical documents.
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Yes, as an AARPN registered member, private health fund rebates are available for Clinical Nutrition services at Papaya. Please check with your health fund for policy eligibility.
However Clinical Nutrition is not covered under Medicare. -
We see children from birth through to age five and beyond, though our clinical focus is on the 0–5 age range. This covers the full spectrum from newborn feeding concerns, introduction of solids, toddler fussy eating, and preschool-age nutritional concerns. If your child is older than five and you're unsure whether we can help, feel free to get in touch before booking.
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Yes. This is one of the most common reasons families come to us. Our nutritionist is SOS Feeding Therapy trained, which is a structured, evidence-based approach specifically designed to help children with food refusal, sensory feeding difficulties, or extreme selective eating. We provide practical mealtime strategies for parents and carers, as well as assessing your child from a nutritional lens to ensure we work on any nutrient deficiencies.
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No referral is needed. You can book directly online. If your GP or paediatrician has raised specific concerns or ordered pathology, we encourage you to bring any results along, they help us understand the full picture and get started sooner.
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This depends on the nature of the concern. For straightforward questions around starting solids or nutrient deficiencies, many families feel well-supported after 2–3 sessions. For more complex feeding difficulties or ongoing concerns such as allergies, growth, or gut health, a care plan of monthly sessions over 3–6 months is more typical, with reviews as your child grows and develops.
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Functional testing and prescription supplements are separate to the consultation fee and are always optional. Testing typically ranges between $300–$800 (inclusive of a report and plan), and prescription supplements vary depending on the nutrient. These are only recommended when clinically appropriate and can be adjusted based on your child's needs and your budget.
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Absolutely. Clinical nutrition works well alongside conventional paediatric care. We regularly collaborate with GPs, paediatricians, allergists, and other allied health professionals, including occupational therapists and speech therapists for children with complex feeding difficulties to ensure your child's care is well-coordinated and consistent.
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Children are most welcome at face to face or telehealth appointments. For infants and very young children, attendance isn't always necessary, particularly for the initial consultation, which is largely a detailed conversation with you as the parent or carer. For older children, especially those being seen for fussy eating or feeding difficulties, attending at least some sessions can be helpful (or in some cases we may ask you to film an at-home meal with your child). We'll guide you on this when you book.