Paediatric Dietitian in Sutton Coldfield
Specialist paediatric dietitian for infants, children and teenagers — cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA), ARFID and selective eating, faltering growth, weaning difficulties, food allergies, and tube feeding support. HCPC registered. From £120, no GP referral needed.
Childhood nutrition problems — whether a baby reacting to formula, a toddler who will only eat five foods, or an infant who is not gaining weight as expected — are stressful and often poorly served by NHS waiting times. At The Vesey, Aimee McEvilly provides evidence-based, compassionate paediatric dietetic support, with appointments typically available within 1–2 weeks.
Conditions we support
- IgE-mediated & non-IgE-mediated CMPA
- Diagnostic elimination diet guidance
- Hypoallergenic formula selection
- Structured milk reintroduction ladder
- Breastfeeding support with maternal exclusion
- ARFID assessment & diagnosis support
- Sensory food aversion
- Graded food exposure programmes
- School & nursery meal support
- Co-ordination with psychology where needed
- Nutritional intake assessment
- High-calorie dietary planning
- Nutritional supplements where indicated
- Monthly growth monitoring
- Liaison with paediatrics and health visitors
- First foods and texture progression
- Baby-led vs purée approaches
- Gagging vs choking distinction
- Iron and nutrient adequacy
- Allergy introduction during weaning
- Multi-allergen dietary management
- Nutritional risk assessment from exclusions
- Safe food alternatives & meal planning
- School and nursery guidance
- Liaison with allergy specialist where needed
- Enteral formula selection
- Feed volume and rate optimisation
- Transition from tube to oral feeding
- Nutritional monitoring
- Support for carers and school staff
Procedures & transparent pricing
| Procedure | What's included | From |
|---|---|---|
| Initial paediatric dietitian consultation | 50 mins · full dietary assessment & plan | £120 |
| Follow-up session | 30–40 mins · same dietitian | £90 |
| Block of 3 sessions | Initial + 2 follow-ups · best value | £240 |
Prices accurate as of July 2026. Most conditions are addressed in 2–4 sessions. Complex cases such as ARFID may require 6 or more.
Deep-dive: cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA)
Cow's milk protein allergy is the most common food allergy in infants, affecting around 2–3% of babies. It can be IgE-mediated (rapid-onset, allergy-type reactions) or non-IgE-mediated (delayed, gut and skin symptoms) — and the two often present very differently.
Symptoms of CMPA
Non-IgE-mediated CMPA (more common, especially under 12 months) causes symptoms hours to days after exposure — excessive reflux, blood or mucus in stool, colic and unsettled behaviour, eczema, and poor weight gain. IgE-mediated CMPA causes faster reactions — urticaria, angioedema, vomiting within minutes to two hours, and — rarely — anaphylaxis.
Diagnostic elimination diet
Blood allergy tests (IgE RAST) and skin prick tests are unreliable for non-IgE CMPA. The gold standard diagnostic approach is a 2–4 week supervised elimination diet — removing all cow's milk protein from formula and weaned foods, or from the breastfeeding mother's diet. Symptom improvement during elimination, followed by return of symptoms on reintroduction, confirms the diagnosis.
Aimee guides parents through formula selection (extensively hydrolysed or amino acid-based formulas for infants) and maternal dietary exclusion for breastfed babies, ensuring nutritional adequacy throughout.
Milk reintroduction ladder
The iMAP (Milk Allergy in Primary Care) reintroduction ladder is used to progressively reintroduce baked milk, then cooked milk, then fresh milk at appropriate developmental stages. Aimee supervises this process, beginning typically around 9–12 months for non-IgE CMPA, with dietitian-guided timelines based on the child's reaction history and growth.
Deep-dive: ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder)
ARFID is a feeding disorder characterised by persistent avoidance or restriction of food intake that leads to significant nutritional deficiency, weight loss (or failure to gain weight appropriately), or marked interference with psychosocial functioning — and is not driven by body image or weight concerns (which distinguishes it from anorexia nervosa).
How ARFID presents in children
Children with ARFID typically eat a very limited range of foods — often as few as 5–15 "safe" foods. Foods are usually rejected based on sensory properties (texture, colour, smell, appearance) rather than taste alone. Many children with ARFID have a co-occurring neurodevelopmental condition (autism, ADHD) that heightens sensory sensitivity. Significant anxiety around novel foods is common, and mealtime stress is frequently reported by families.
Assessment
Aimee conducts a detailed dietary history, food neophobia questionnaire (Children's Eating Behaviour Questionnaire), food diary analysis, and nutritional status review — including assessment of iron, zinc, omega-3, calcium and vitamin D status, which are most commonly deficient in highly selective eaters.
Graded exposure approach
Treatment involves a structured food exposure hierarchy, beginning with foods that share sensory properties with the child's accepted range and progressing gradually. Exposure is conducted at the child's pace — without pressure or reward — to reduce anxiety and build positive associations. Aimee co-ordinates with CAMHS or clinical psychology where significant anxiety requires parallel psychological support.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a private paediatric dietitian cost in Sutton Coldfield?
Initial consultation with Aimee McEvilly is £120. Follow-up sessions £90. A block of 3 sessions is £240 (saving £30). Most conditions are resolved in 2–4 sessions.
How is CMPA diagnosed?
CMPA is diagnosed clinically through a supervised elimination diet — removing cow's milk protein from formula and foods (or from the breastfeeding mother's diet) for 2–4 weeks, then reintroducing to confirm the diagnosis. Blood tests are unreliable for non-IgE CMPA.
What is ARFID and can you help?
ARFID is a feeding disorder characterised by very limited food acceptance due to sensory sensitivity, not body image concerns. Aimee uses a graded exposure approach, working with the child's sensory profile to gradually expand dietary range at their own pace.
My child is a fussy eater — can a dietitian help?
Mild selective eating is common in toddlers. A dietitian helps assess whether the selectivity is within normal developmental range, identify any nutritional gaps, and guide parents in strategies to expand food acceptance without creating negative mealtime associations.
What is faltering growth and when should I seek help?
Faltering growth is when a child's weight or height falls significantly below expected centiles or crosses centile lines downward. Seek assessment if your child has crossed two or more centile lines downward, or if you or your health visitor have concerns about weight gain.
How does a private paediatric dietitian compare to NHS?
NHS paediatric dietitian waiting times in the West Midlands are commonly 3–6 months for routine referrals. At The Vesey, initial appointments are typically available within 1–2 weeks, with follow-ups scheduled around your availability.
How many sessions will my child need?
This varies by condition. CMPA typically resolves with a single consultation plus one follow-up for reintroduction guidance. ARFID and selective eating usually benefit from 4–6 sessions. Faltering growth reviews are typically monthly until targets are met.
Can Aimee help with tube-fed children?
Yes — paediatric tube feeding support includes assessment of enteral formula choice, feed volumes and rates, transition planning from tube to oral feeding, and nutritional monitoring. We liaise with the paediatric team as needed.
My child has multiple food allergies — can you help?
Yes — multi-allergen management is a core area of Aimee's practice. She assesses the child's current diet, identifies nutritional risks from multiple exclusions, and provides a practical meal plan with safe, nutritionally equivalent alternatives.
Does insurance cover paediatric dietitian appointments?
Some insurers cover paediatric dietitian appointments where there is a diagnosed medical condition such as CMPA or faltering growth. Check with your insurer before booking; we can provide a full clinical report to support any claim.
Specialist Paediatric Dietitian in Sutton Coldfield
From £120. Open 7 days 8am–8pm. No GP referral needed. Free parking.
Free reschedule with 48+ hours' notice · CQC reg. 1-13508890408