Pediatric Nutrition Dietitian in Montreal

Supporting Healthy Eating Habits From First Foods to Childhood

Feeding children can feel overwhelming.

From introducing your baby's first foods to navigating picky eating, changing appetites, food preferences, and mealtime challenges, many parents wonder:

"Is my child eating enough?"
"Are they getting the nutrients they need?"
"Am I creating healthy eating habits?"

You are not alone.

As a Registered Dietitian specializing in pediatric nutrition, Emilia Morelli helps families navigate feeding challenges with evidence-based, practical strategies that support children's growth, development, and positive relationship with food.

Whether you are introducing solids, managing picky eating, concerned about nutritional adequacy, or simply looking for guidance on feeding your child, Emilia provides personalized nutrition support tailored to your child's age, needs, and family lifestyle.

The goal is not to force children to eat—it is to help them develop confidence, curiosity, and enjoyment around food.

Book your pediatric nutrition consultation today.

BOOK NOW

Why Work With a Pediatric Dietitian?

Children's nutrition needs change rapidly as they grow.

A toddler learning to eat has very different needs than a school-aged child or teenager. Nutrition concerns can also be influenced by growth patterns, sensory preferences, developmental stages, family routines, medical conditions, and previous feeding experiences.

Working with a pediatric dietitian can help you:

  • Understand your child's nutrition needs

  • Support healthy growth and development

  • Reduce mealtime stress

  • Navigate picky eating

  • Introduce new foods confidently

  • Ensure nutritional adequacy

  • Create balanced meals and snacks

  • Build positive eating habits

Rather than focusing on pressure, restriction, or making children "clean their plate," Emilia uses evidence-based feeding approaches that respect children's hunger cues while supporting nutritional needs.

Pediatric Nutrition Services

  • Starting solids is an exciting milestone—but it can also come with many questions.

    Parents often wonder:

    • When should I introduce solids?

    • What foods should my baby eat first?

    • How much should my baby eat?

    • How do I prevent choking?

    • Should I do baby-led weaning or traditional feeding?

    • When should I introduce allergens?

    • How do I know my baby is getting enough iron?

    Emilia helps parents confidently navigate the transition to solid foods while supporting safe, responsive feeding.

    Nutrition counselling may include:

    • Readiness signs for starting solids

    • Baby-led weaning guidance

    • Purees and texture progression

    • Introducing common allergens

    • Iron-rich first foods

    • Meal and snack ideas

    • Feeding schedules

    • Preventing unnecessary food restrictions

    The goal is to create a positive foundation for lifelong eating habits.

  • Picky eating is extremely common, especially during toddlerhood and early childhood.

    Many parents worry when their child:

    • Eats only a few foods

    • Refuses vegetables

    • Doesn't want to try new foods

    • Changes their favourite foods frequently

    • Only eats certain textures

    • Needs separate meals

    • Becomes upset during mealtimes

    While some picky eating is developmentally normal, extreme food selectivity or ongoing mealtime stress may benefit from professional support.

    Emilia helps families create strategies to:

    • Expand food variety

    • Reduce mealtime battles

    • Encourage curiosity around food

    • Support independence

    • Build balanced meals

    • Improve confidence around feeding

    The focus is on helping children become comfortable with food—not forcing them to eat.

  • Many parents worry that their child is not eating enough, especially when appetite changes from day to day.

    Children's intake can vary significantly depending on:

    • Growth stage

    • Activity level

    • Illness

    • Appetite changes

    • Food preferences

    • Developmental stages

    Emilia helps assess whether your child's diet provides adequate:

    • Calories

    • Protein

    • Iron

    • Calcium

    • Vitamin D

    • Fibre

    • Healthy fats

    • Overall variety

    Together, you'll develop practical strategies to support nutrition without creating anxiety around eating.

  • Feeding children doesn't require preparing separate meals every night.

    Emilia helps families create realistic approaches to:

    • Balanced breakfasts

    • Nutritious lunches

    • Family dinners

    • Healthy snacks

    • School lunches

    • Managing busy schedules

    Parents learn how to create meals that support nutrition while allowing children to develop independence and listening skills.

A Responsive Feeding Approach

Healthy eating habits begin with a positive relationship with food.

Emilia uses principles of responsive feeding, where:

Parents are responsible for:

  • What foods are offered

  • When meals and snacks happen

  • Where eating takes place

Children are responsible for:

  • Whether they eat

  • How much they eat

This approach helps children develop trust in their hunger and fullness cues while learning to enjoy a variety of foods.

What to Expect During a Pediatric Nutrition Appointment

Every family is different. During your consultation, Emilia will discuss:

  • Your child's age and development

  • Growth history

  • Current eating habits

  • Typical meals and snacks

  • Feeding challenges

  • Food preferences

  • Mealtime routines

  • Medical history

  • Supplements

  • Family goals

You will receive practical strategies that are realistic for your household. Appointments may include:

  • Personalized meal and snack recommendations

  • Feeding strategies

  • Food exposure techniques

  • Grocery shopping guidance

  • Age-appropriate nutrition education

  • Recipe ideas

  • School and daycare strategies

Frequently Asked Questions About Pediatric Nutrition, Starting Solids & Picky Eating

  • Most babies are ready to begin introducing solid foods around 6 months of age when they show signs of developmental readiness.

    Signs your baby may be ready include:

    • Good head and neck control

    • Ability to sit with support

    • Bringing food to their mouth

    • Showing interest in food

    • Reduced tongue-thrust reflex

    Every baby develops differently, so readiness signs are more important than a specific date on the calendar.

  • There is no single "perfect" first food. Early foods should focus on providing important nutrients while allowing babies to explore different flavours and textures.

    Nutrient-rich first foods include:

    • Iron-fortified infant cereals

    • Meat and poultry

    • Fish

    • Eggs

    • Lentils and beans

    • Tofu

    • Nut and seed butters (prepared safely)

    • Vegetables

    • Fruits

    • Whole grains

    Iron-rich foods are especially important because babies' iron stores begin to decrease around this age.

  • When babies first begin solids, food is primarily about learning.

    At the beginning, babies may only eat small amounts, such as a few teaspoons. Breast milk or infant formula remains the primary source of nutrition until around 12 months.

    Over time, babies gradually increase the amount and variety of foods they eat.

  • Both baby-led weaning and spoon feeding can be appropriate approaches when done safely.

    Baby-led weaning allows babies to self-feed appropriately sized pieces of food, while traditional feeding involves offering purees and gradually advancing textures.

    The best approach depends on:

    • Baby's development

    • Family preferences

    • Comfort level

    • Feeding goals

    Many families use a combination of approaches.

  • Learning the difference between gagging and choking is an important part of starting solids.

    To reduce choking risk:

    • Ensure your baby is developmentally ready

    • Offer age-appropriate food textures

    • Avoid choking hazards

    • Always supervise eating

    • Learn infant CPR and choking first aid

    A pediatric dietitian can help guide safe food progression.

  • Yes. Picky eating is very common, especially between ages 1 and 6 years old.

    Many children naturally become more selective during toddlerhood as they develop independence and their growth rate slows.

    However, picky eating can become concerning when it significantly limits nutrition, affects growth, creates extreme family stress, or prevents children from participating in normal eating situations.

  • Children often need many exposures to a new food before accepting it.

    Helpful strategies include:

    • Offering foods repeatedly without pressure

    • Eating together as a family

    • Letting children see others enjoy foods

    • Involving children in food preparation

    • Offering a safe food alongside new foods

    • Allowing children to explore food at their own pace

    Pressure, bribing, or forcing children to eat can sometimes make food refusal worse.

  • Many children go through phases where they prefer foods like:

    • Bread

    • Crackers

    • Pasta

    • Rice

    • Plain cereal

    • Chicken nuggets

    This may happen because these foods are predictable in taste, texture, and appearance.

    Rather than eliminating these foods, the goal is usually to gradually expand variety by introducing new foods alongside familiar favourites.

  • No. Research supports responsive feeding approaches rather than forcing children to eat.

    Pressure can interfere with children's ability to recognize hunger and fullness cues and may increase anxiety around food.

    Instead, parents can focus on providing balanced options and allowing children to decide whether and how much they eat.

  • Vegetable refusal is very common among children.

    Strategies that may help include:

    • Continuing to offer vegetables without pressure

    • Preparing vegetables in different ways

    • Including vegetables in family meals

    • Letting children participate in cooking

    • Pairing vegetables with familiar foods

    The goal is exposure and familiarity—not immediate acceptance.

  • Children's appetites naturally change from day to day.

    Some days they may eat large amounts, while other days they may eat very little. Looking at overall patterns over time is often more meaningful than focusing on individual meals.

    A child's nutrition needs depend on:

    • Age

    • Growth

    • Activity level

    • Development

    • Health status

  • Protein needs vary based on age, growth, and activity level.

    Most children can meet their protein needs through a balanced diet that includes foods such as:

    • Meat

    • Fish

    • Eggs

    • Dairy products

    • Beans

    • Lentils

    • Tofu

    • Nuts and seeds

    A dietitian can help assess whether your child's intake is appropriate.

  • Balanced snacks can help children meet their nutrition needs and support energy throughout the day.

    Examples include:

    • Yogurt with fruit

    • Cheese and crackers

    • Hummus with vegetables or pita

    • Nut or seed butter with toast

    • Smoothies

    • Homemade muffins with added fibre

    • Fruit with a protein source

    Combining carbohydrates with protein or healthy fats often creates a more satisfying snack.

  • Helpful strategies include:

    • Keeping consistent meal and snack times

    • Eating together when possible

    • Avoiding pressure or punishment

    • Limiting distractions

    • Allowing children to listen to hunger cues

    • Keeping expectations realistic

    Positive mealtimes support healthier relationships with food.

When Should I See a Pediatric Dietitian?

You may benefit from pediatric nutrition counselling if you:

  • Are starting solids and want guidance

  • Have concerns about picky eating

  • Wonder if your child is eating enough

  • Need help creating balanced meals

  • Are worried about nutrient deficiencies

  • Have concerns about growth

  • Need support with vegetarian or vegan diets

  • Want practical strategies for family meals

  • Feel stressed or overwhelmed by feeding

Ready to Support Your Child's Nutrition?

Whether you are introducing solids, navigating picky eating, or looking for guidance on your child's nutritional needs, personalized nutrition support can help you feel more confident at mealtimes.

Emilia Morelli provides evidence-based pediatric nutrition counselling for babies, children, and families in Montreal and across Quebec through virtual and in-person appointments.

Together, you'll develop practical strategies that support your child's growth, development, and lifelong relationship with food.

Book your pediatric nutrition consultation today.

Book an Appointment