Paediatric Feeding Clinic

Tinygiants Explore and Thrive Feeding Clinic

Our Feeding Clinic offers a dedicated, multidisciplinary service for children with feeding difficulties. Led by Rebecca Bruce, experienced paediatric dietitian, and Alice Loughlin, skilled speech and language therapist, the clinic provides comprehensive assessments and tailored management plans in a collaborative, family-centred environment.

Feeding challenges can be complex and may involve both nutritional and oral-motor concerns. That’s why our clinic combines the expertise of both professionals in a single, coordinated assessment. Rebecca addresses your child’s dietary intake and nutritional needs, while Alice evaluates oral-motor function and swallowing abilities.

Together, they develop a holistic, personalised plan to support safe, effective, and enjoyable feeding.

If any underlying medical concerns are identified, your child will be referred to the appropriate paediatric specialist within our centre, ensuring seamless and complete care in one location.

Please note: we do not treat eating disorders such as restrictive or binge eating disorders.

Meet Our Specialists

Rebecca Bruce, BSc, PGDipDiet – Registered Dietitian
Rebecca is an experienced paediatric dietitian dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of children through personalised nutritional care. She strongly believes in the power of nutrition to transform lives and works closely with families to support children facing a wide range of feeding and dietary challenges — from poor weight gain and food allergies to gut issues, disordered eating, and healthy growth support.

Alice Loughlin – Qualified Speech-Language Therapist
With over 14 years of experience across the health and education sectors in New Zealand, Australia, and the UK, Alice brings extensive expertise in paediatric feeding. Since joining Counties Manukau Health in 2016, she has supported young children with diverse needs, including prematurity, cleft palate, and cerebral palsy. Alice also coordinated the Paediatric Videofluoroscopy clinic at Middlemore Hospital.

Who Can Benefit from the Feeding Clinic?

Our Feeding Clinic is designed for infants, toddlers, and children up to 16 years, who are experiencing:

Fussy or selective eating
Difficulty gaining weight or growing appropriately
Delays in transitioning to solids
Challenges with chewing or swallowing
Aversion to certain food textures or temperatures
History of reflux or other gastrointestinal conditions
Feeding behaviours that impact mealtime routines

Whether your child has a diagnosed condition or you simply have concerns about their feeding, we’re here to help.

Family-Centred and Practical Care

We know that feeding concerns can affect the whole family. That’s why we take the time to listen, understand your concerns, and work with you to develop realistic and effective strategies. We value collaboration with parents and caregivers and ensure that all recommendations are practical and tailored to your home environment.

In cases where underlying medical issues may be contributing to feeding difficulties, our clinic also involves a paediatrician, who provides clinical oversight. This ensures any medical concerns are recognised and managed alongside therapy, offering peace of mind and a streamlined approach to your child’s care.

Get Started Today!

We’re currently accepting new patients. If you believe your child may benefit from our Feeding Clinic, please get in touch with our team to make a booking.

We care for children, from newborns and toddlers to school-age children and teenagers, up to 16 years. With such a large variety of patients, our team brings together a wide range of general and specialist experience to ensure the best result for your child.