Practical, judgement-free nutrition support for babies, children and teens, from our Broadmeadow clinic or by telehealth.
Accredited Practising Dietitians
Paediatric Dietitian Newcastle
Paediatric Dietitians in Newcastle
Optimum Intake’s paediatric dietitians help Newcastle families with fussy eating, feeding difficulties, growth concerns, allergies and tube feeding. We see babies, children and teens at our Broadmeadow clinic and by telehealth. You don’t need a GP referral to book, and our Client Care Team can match you with the right dietitian.
If mealtimes have become a daily battle, you’re not alone. Some kids will only eat a handful of foods. Others refuse things they happily ate last month. Or maybe you’re just worried your child isn’t growing the way they should. We start by listening, then work out what will realistically fit your family’s week.
Who You’ll See
Courtney Baleato is an Accredited Practising Dietitian who sees children at our Broadmeadow clinic and by telehealth. She helps with fussy and selective eating, growth concerns, constipation, allergies and intolerances, nutritional deficiencies, neurodivergence and feeding challenges. As a mum of two, she knows what family mealtimes are really like. Expect plenty of listening and no judgement.
Courtney also sees children at Hunter Children’s Clinics in Merewether. Those appointments are booked through Hunter Children’s on 02 4072 1877.
Rachel Tutill leads our clinics team and has completed extensive additional training in paediatric and disability nutrition. She’s part of our wider paediatric team, and our Client Care Team can tell you who’s best placed to see your child.
What We Help With
Families in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie come to us about:
- Fussy eating and limited food variety
- ARFID and paediatric feeding disorder
- Slow weight gain and other growth concerns
- Low iron and other nutrient deficiencies
- Appetite changes on ADHD medication
- Constipation, reflux and coeliac disease
- Food allergies and intolerances
- Starting solids and moving through textures
- Tube feeding, including blended feeds
- Sensory differences in autistic and neurodivergent kids
You can read more about how we work on our main paediatric nutrition services page.
What Happens at the First Appointment
We’ll talk through your child’s health, growth, routines and what a normal week of eating looks like. Then we’ll ask what you’d most like to change.
Some kids are happy to chat. Others would rather draw, play or explore food with their hands, and that’s fine. Nobody gets made to eat anything.
If it’s easier to raise something without your child in the room, we can make time for that too. You’ll leave with a few realistic things to try at home and a clear idea of what comes next.
Our Broadmeadow Clinic
You’ll find us at Level 2, 163 Lambton Road, Broadmeadow NSW 2292. Families come from Hamilton, New Lambton, Merewether, Adamstown, Kotara, Mayfield, Charlestown, Wallsend and across Lake Macquarie.
Planning your visit? Our Broadmeadow accessibility page covers parking, building access and facilities. If travel’s tricky, telehealth is an option for many families.
Fees, Medicare and NDIS
Appointment fees generally range from $130 to $265, depending on the type of appointment. We’re not a bulk-billing clinic.
Eligible children may be able to claim a Medicare rebate with a GP referral and care plan. Private health rebates may also apply, depending on your cover.
We’re a registered NDIS provider and support self-managed and plan-managed participants. NDIS-managed participants can be seen from 9 years of age. Our Client Care Team can talk you through which option applies before you book.
Why Families Choose Optimum Intake
We’ve been supporting families across Newcastle and the Central Coast since 2007, and we won the Dietitians Australia Quality in Primary Care Award in 2021 and 2025.
With more than 20 dietitians on the team, there’s someone to suit your child’s needs. We also work alongside GPs, speech pathologists, occupational therapists, psychologists and support coordinators, so everyone’s pulling in the same direction.
Child safety matters to us. You can read our Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have a paediatric dietitian in Newcastle?
Yes. Our paediatric dietitians see babies, children and teens at our Broadmeadow clinic and by telehealth. Call 0499 008 451 and our Client Care Team will match you with the right person.
Do I need a referral to see a paediatric dietitian?
No. You can book directly without a GP referral. If you’d like to claim a Medicare rebate, you’ll need a referral and care plan from your GP first.
Is a paediatric dietitian covered by Medicare?
Eligible children may be able to claim a Medicare rebate with a GP referral and care plan. It covers part of the fee, as we’re not a bulk-billing clinic. Private health rebates and NDIS funding may also apply.
When should my child see a paediatric dietitian?
It’s worth getting in touch if your child eats only a few foods, has stopped eating foods they used to enjoy, isn’t growing as expected, or if mealtimes have become stressful for your family. You don’t need to wait for things to get worse.
Is it better to see a dietitian or a nutritionist?
Accredited Practising Dietitian is a recognised credential through Dietitians Australia, while nutritionist isn’t a protected title in Australia. All of our dietitians are Accredited Practising Dietitians, which also matters if you’re claiming through Medicare.
Do you offer feeding therapy in Newcastle?
Our team has completed extensive training in feeding therapy, and sessions can include food play and exploring new foods without any pressure to eat them. Ask our Client Care Team what’s available at Broadmeadow.
Do you see children from Lake Macquarie?
Yes. Many families travel to Broadmeadow from Lake Macquarie and surrounding suburbs. Telehealth is there too if the drive doesn’t suit your week.
Can my child be seen by telehealth?
Yes, for many nutrition and feeding concerns. Your dietitian can let you know if an in-person visit would work better for your child.