|
The Paediatric Dietician is part of the Paediatric team, providing nutritional care and support for the babies while in the unit and for some time after their discharge home.
Babies who are born too soon have not been able to gain those last few pounds in weight. It is therefore important to closely monitor their growth and feeding. Through good communication with the Neonatal Unit and attendance on the main ward round, it is possible to get to know all the babies, but unfortunately not always all the parents. Parents are always welcome to arrange a mutually convenient time to meet with the Dietician if they have questions with regard to their babies’ feeding. When discharged from the Neonatal Unit, some babies may still require special feeds, and the Dietician will continue to review their nutritional needs and advise accordingly. It may be that this will happen by follow-up in the Dietician’s Outpatient Clinic, Neonatal Clinic or via liaison with the Health Visitor and/or the P.O.N.T. The Dietician attends the Neonatal Follow-Up Clinic to be available to answer concerns or queries that may arise with regard to feeding. Prem
ature infants do sometimes experience more difficulties with feeding and the introduction of solids than do full-term babies, so the Dietician is available to discuss any difficulties.
The Dietician can also be contacted Mondays through Fridays from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. at the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics on extension 3433. There is a 24-hour answer machine for messages.
| 
