Specialist Areas

Breast and formula feeding

Everyday Eating promotes breast milk as the optimal food for a baby. It provides all the nutrients a baby needs for around the first 6 months and is an important source of nutrients beyond 6 months. Breastfeeding provides numerous benefits to the baby, including protection against infection and chronic disease risk later in life. It also has maternal benefits, including reduction in ovarian cancer risk, and risk of developing type 2 diabetes in women with a history of gestational diabetes. We acknowledge the challenges faced by mothers throughout the breastfeeding journey and support infants being nourished in the best way for their family. If breastfeeding is not possible, we provide advice on selection, preparation and storage of commercial infant formulas.

Introduction of solids

Babies require other foods to meet their increasing nutritional and developmental needs at around 6 months. Solids should not be introduced before 4 months, and should preferably be given whilst continuing to breastfeed. Foods can be introduced in any order and potentially allergenic solid foods including peanut butter, cooked egg, dairy and wheat products should be given in the first year of life. Everyday Eating provides advice on foods to include for optimal nutrition, focusing on iron-containing options. We recommend a combination of Baby-Led (finger food options) and Parent-Led (spoon feeding) approaches to feeding allowing for optimal oral-motor development.

Allergy

Everyday Eating provides assessment and advice for children with diagnosed, or suspected, food allergy, in accordance with The Australian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA). Food allergy occurs in 5-10% of children, with the most common triggers being egg, cow’s milk (dairy), peanut, tree nuts, sesame, soy, wheat, fish and other seafood. However, almost any food can cause an allergic reaction. Dietary restriction for food allergy should be done in consultation with medical or Dietetic supervision to prevent malnutrition or other complications including food aversion.

Growth and feeding problems

One in 5 children have challenges with eating at some stage within their first 7 years. Approximately half of these children can be considered ‘picky eaters’ and will improve their eating over time with support and patience. Other children will have a significant underlying cause interfering with their eating experience. This may include sensory processing challenges, oral-motor and motor / postural stability challenges.

Everyday Eating uses the Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) Approach to assess and manage feeding challenges. Our education and therapy is shaped around the developmentally appropriate steps, stages and skills of feeding and each child’s strengths and challenges. Our sessions involve play-based learning opportunities allowing children to progress through different textures and tastes and develop positive eating relationships.

Body awareness

Everyday Eating promotes and encourages mindful and intuitive eating. This approach involves children tuning in to their body’s needs and nourishing themselves accordingly. It supports positive and trusting relationships with food and eating, and life-long health. We use play-based learning techniques to teach children about hunger and appetite, including ideas for nourishing meals and snacks to refer to when they are hungry, and boredom buster ideas to help reduce non-hungry eating.

Family-centered care

We understand the impact feeding challenges can have on a family, the concern, frustration and exhaustion should not be underestimated. At Everyday Eating, our personal and professional experience is shared with families creating down-to-earth conversations and strong connections.

Family involvement is an integral part of all of our work with children. We take time to ensure parents and carers feel supported by listening to their concerns, challenges and successes. Parents and carers are required to participate in feeding therapy sessions to provide support and continuity between therapy and family mealtimes.

Everyday Eating is a Dietetic Practice focused on child and family nutrition. Founded by Accredited Practising Dietitian, Dr. Alecia Leonard in 2014, Everyday Eating has the vision of providing specialised and personalised nutrition education and therapy for children and their families.