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Feeding Clinic for Children (Community)

This page has information about the Child and Family Program’s Feeding Clinic for Children.
Warning sign

Community Paediatrics Feeding Clinic waitlists will close from Thursday, 5 September 2024, due to high demand.

We hope to begin accepting clients again from November 2024.

The following service providers may be able to assist in the interim:

URGENT CASES

Feeding Clinic 

The Monash Health Community Feeding Clinic provides support to infants and young children where there are concerns about growth and the development of feeding skills. This includes:

  • Faltering growth/poor weight gain 
  • Low birth weight 
  • History of enteral feeding 
  • Difficulties with breast/bottle feeding
  • Gagging, coughing, choking and vomiting during meals 
  • Stress at mealtimes (eg. Baby crying, back arching, refusal) 
  • Prolonged feed times 
  • Difficulties with texture progression 
  • Delayed transition to puree by 9 months 
  • Delayed transition to finger foods by 12 months 
  • Delayed development of self feeding 
  • Limited range of foods in diet 
  • Medical issues affecting eating eg. Prematurity, reflux, respiratory issues 
  • Reduced mealtime enjoyment 

What we do

The Feeding Clinic provides assessment, advice and therapy for children with feeding difficulties. Services are delivered by a Dietitian and Speech Pathologist, in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team as required including psychology, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and allied health assistants.  

  • 1:1 feeding clinic consultation  
  • Group therapy  
  • Caregiver education and coaching 
  • Online and face-to-face sessions 

Who can use this service?

People who can use these services?

This service is for children (from birth to school entry) who: 

  • Live, work, study or attend pre-school or childcare in the City of Greater Dandenong, City of Casey or Shire of Cardinia  
  • Priority Groups: Children in priority groups are given priority for service 
    • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children 
    • Children involved with child protection 
    • Refugees  
    • Children in out-of-home care 
  • Clinical Priority is given to children with:  
    • Faltering growth 
    • Enteral feeding eg. Nasogastric tube 
    • Infants and children under 2 years 

People who cannot use these services?

This service is not for children who: 

  • Come from high-income families
  • Are eligible for, or currently accessing: 
    • Early Childhood Intervention Australia (ECIA), 
    • NDIS services 
    • Disability funding 
  • Are already attending school 
  • Children referred from 1 July of the year before they start school will not be accepted unless they are: under child protection, Refugees, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Children or in Out-of-home Care. 
  • Children with ‘fussy/picky eating’ associated with developmental delay are likely to be eligible for NDIS/ECEI and should be referred directly to NDIS 

Note: If the child lives, works, studies or attends pre-school or child-care outside the City of Greater Dandenong, City of Casey or Cardinia Shire – please contact your local community health centre. 

How to refer

Anyone, including the family, can make a referral to the Community Feeding Clinic. 

For referrals please: 

Phone: (03) 8572 5631
Email: iCareAccess@monashhealth.org

Cost

The charge is based on the family’s income level. 

Where our services are delivered

Our services are delivered at Springvale, Cranbourne, and Pakenham Community Health Centres. 

Operating hours

We are open 8am – 5pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays. Clinics at each site run on specific days across the week.  

Contact us:

For more information or assistance with a referral please contact us by email at: childandfamilyprogram@monashhealth.org 

Help contacting us

For people who need help with English or an interpreter: : TIS: 131 450

For people with hearing or speech loss: TTY: 1800 555 677

Speak and Listen: 1800 555 727

Internet relay: National Relay Service: www.relayservice.gov.au

Other useful resources and alternative services

Here are some alternative services for clients who are waiting or do not currently qualify for Monash Health services. 

  •  Other Community Health Services in their area 
  •  Private Therapists: 
    • May be eligible for Medicare Benefits Scheme (previously Enhanced Primary Care Plan for chronic and complex conditions). Family can discuss with GP. 
    • See Speech Pathology Australia website and click on ‘Find a Speech Pathologist’ tab to find a therapist located near the client: http://www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au/ 
    • See Dietitian Australia website and click on ‘Find a Dietitian’ tab to find a Dietitian located near the client: https://dietitiansaustralia.org.au 
    • The family may be able to claim a private health rebate and should check with their private health insurance company 
  • National Disability Insurance Scheme/Early Childhood Early Intervention. Our regional provider is: 
  • National Disability Insurance Scheme for children aged over 7 years