HELLO
If mealtimes have become a battle, you're spreading the same three foods on repeat, or you're quietly worried your child isn't getting what they need- you are not alone. Fussy and selective eating is one of the most common reasons parents reach out, and the good news is, in most cases, there's so much we can do to help.
Some level of food ‘fussiness’ is a completely normal part of development- but knowing what's typical, what's worth keeping an eye on, and when to get help can be the difference between: mealtime chaos and mealtime calm
WHAT IS "FUSSY" EATING?
Fussy or selective eating describes a child who eats a limited range of foods, refuses certain food groups, textures or colours, or is reluctant to try anything new (often called food neophobia).
It's incredibly common- research suggests up to 50% of toddlers go through a fussy phase between around 18 months and 3 years. For most children, it's a developmentally normal stage. But just because something is normal, doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do anything about it. Because the research shows what we do - and how we respond at mealtimes - really does matter.
And- for some children- fussy eating is more persistent, more restrictive, and can start to affect their growth, energy levels, or social life- and that's where help is almost certainly needed.
WHAT'S NORMAL, AND WHAT'S NOT NORMAL
NORMAL FUSSY EATING MIGHT LOOK LIKE:
Going off foods they used to love (hello, broccoli betrayal)
Refusing new foods on first sight- ‘I DON’T WANT IT’
Eating well at dinner one day, and barely touching dinner the next
Preferring "safe" or familiar foods like pasta, and bread, or only eating a few types of fruit like bananas and berries. Eating chicken, but not beef.
Mealtimes feeling a bit hit-and-miss with some being devoured and others being rejected
This is developmentally typical- frustrating, yes, but not usually a cause for concern.
WHAT'S NOT TYPICAL AND WORTH GETTING HELP FOR:
Firstly, just to say its sort of impossible to classify whether someones eating is ‘normal’ in a short bit of blurb on a website, its almost always more complex than that.
And secondly, fussy/selective eating is a spectrum and parents often need help along the whole spectrum - not just the severe end (although your GP might tell you otherwise, but that is often due to limited NHS resources with strict referral criteria - and not because there isn’t something we can do to make mealtimes and feeding our little ones more pleasant, less stressful and- to improve their relationship with food… There almost ALWAYS IS something we can do!
So what is not usually considered ‘normal’:
Eating fewer than 15–20 foods consistently
Cutting out entire food groups (no protein, no fruit, no veg, no dairy)
Gagging, retching or distress at the sight, smell or texture of food
Faltering growth, weight loss, or dropping centiles
Low energy, pale skin, poor concentration, or frequent illness
Mealtimes causing significant stress, anxiety or upset in the family
Reluctance or inability to eat at nursery, school, or social events
Fussiness that's getting worse over time, not better
If any of these sound familiar, it's worth getting a proper assessment- both to rule out ARFID or sensory-based feeding difficulties, and to make sure your child isn't missing key nutrients during such an important window for growth and brain development.
HOW A DIETITIAN CAN HELP
ASSESSMENT
A detailed assessment of your child's nutritional intake, identifying any key nutrients at risk. I'll plot growth on the appropriate child growth charts and recommend any required blood tests (iron, vitamin D, B12, vitamin A, zinc, etc.) where appropriate.
PRACTICAL PLAN
A realistic, evidence-based plan to gently expand your child's diet- without pressure.
Achievable goals tailored to your family's life, your child's stage, and what's actually causing or driving the fussiness or food selectivity.
NUTRITION
A written nutritional plan and, where needed, a supplement plan to bridge any gaps while we work on expanding the diet over time.
WHAT ELSE A DIETITIAN CAN HELP WITH
FURTHER ASSESSMENT
A letter to your GP to recommend a referral to a paediatrician or other specialist service if required.
STRATEGIES
Sensory-aware mealtime strategies, advice on routine and structure, and practical guidance on how to handle the tricky moments.
ADVOCATE
Liaising with nursery key workers, schools, GPs, occupational therapists or speech therapists if your child needs extra support around them.
WHAT MIGHT A SUPPLEMENT PLAN CONSIST OF
Every child’s needs are different, which is why I create individualised plans that may include a combination of:
️ Single nutrient supplements (e.g. iron, vitamin D, omega-3)
️ Multivitamin + mineral supplements
️ Protein supplements
️ Energy supplements
️ Specific food supplements
BOOK A 1:1
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During your initial consultation, we’ll take the time to really understand your baby or child’s needs and concerns- so you leave feeling heard, reassured and supported. I’ll provide clear, evidence-based nutrition advice and practical steps to help you feel more confident about feeding right away.
After our session, you’ll receive a detailed written report with personalised nutritional recommendations and an agreed action plan. This means you’ll have everything you need in one place- something you can revisit in your own time and feel confident putting into practice.
Your initial consultation also includes two weeks of email support, so you can reach out with questions as you start making changes and feel supported every step of the way. Follow-ups include one week of email support.
If further investigations, such as blood tests or specialist input are needed, I’ll include recommendations for these in your report. One recommendation letter- such as a GP letter - is included per session if required; additional letters can be provided for a small additional fee.
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A new consultation is 45-minutes long and includes 2 weeks of email support following the session!
A follow-up is 30 minutes long
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Initial consultations are online (over zoom), with follow-ups online/phone or in person depending on the location. I work locally in Bucks, Beds and some areas of North + central London.
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First consultation: £110
~45 minutes, plus two weeks of email support
Follow-up: £95
~30 minutes, plus one week of email support following the session
WHY WORK WITH ME
With 10+ years of experience in both the NHS and private practice, I have supported hundreds of children with sensory challenges around food including those with a formal diagnosis of ARFID. I have worked closely with occupational therapists and speech therapists, including co-running a joint NHS clinic with a Speech Therapist and Occupational Therapist for babies and children with feeding disorders.
If you’re looking for expert guidance on nutrient gaps, supplementation, and diet expansion, book a consultation with me today and let’s create a practical, tailored plan to support your child’s nutrition, growth and well-being
I’m Christina Hills, a HCPC-registered Paediatric Dietitian with over 10 years’ NHS experience and a specialist interest in selective eating, feeding challenges and ARFID. Through my private practice at The Happy Feeding Company, I provide tailored support for toddlers, children and teens with fussy and selective eating across the spectrum, including ARFID, and their families.
I’ll work alongside you to create and evidence-based feeding plan that helps your child to meet their nutritional and developmental needs.
“I had been searching for the right dietitian to support my 2.5-year-old son with his sensory challenges around food, and I couldn’t be happier to have found Christina. From our very first appointment, she made me feel reassured and understood. Christina’s warm and friendly approach, combined with her extensive knowledge, gave me the confidence that we could tackle this journey together.”
“You are such an amazing dietitian! You were very kind during our correspondence and online meeting, taking the time to listen and making sure you got things right by asking questions. You understood the problem and more importantly, you were kind enough to provide an urgent meeting for us to speak asap, due to the nature of our situation. Thank you for going above and beyond, it was truly appreciated!”
BOOK AN APPOINTMENT
Book a 1:1 appointment in my virtual clinic NOW + take control of your baby or child’s’ feeding! If you cannot find a suitable date or time please contact me - and I will do my best to fit you in!
CONTACT ME
Get in touch to book an appointment in my clinic. Take control of your baby or childs’ feeding now!
Contact me if you have any questions or want to know more about how I can help or an upcoming event!
I will get back to you as soon as I can, usually within 48 working hours. Please check your spam/junk folder!
