300 Longwood Avenue Boston, MA 02115 (617) 355-6000 Clinical Services: Growth and Nutrition Program Growth and Nutrition The Growth and Nutrition Program at Children's Hospital Boston is specifically designed to help children with poor growth. The goals of the program are to evaluate children with poor growth, improve their overall nutrition, and to promote healthy eating habits. History The Growth and Nutrition Program at Children's was established in July of 1984. It was one of the first multidisciplinary team programs in the country to address the problem of childhood malnutrition, formerly known as Failure to Thrive. Our current Growth and Nutrition Program has been in continuous operation for twenty-three years with great successes. Our program is supported through a contract with the Department of Public Health which funds specific Growth and Nutrition sites throughout Massachusetts. Our Patients We see children from birth to six years who have difficulty maintaining healthy growth patterns. Many of our patients have been diagnosed with childhood malnutrition. We also see children who are having difficulty transitioning from feeding via tube, eating by mouth, or who are delayed in their feeding skills. Our broad range of patients also includes children with feeding problems related to behavioral issues, including food aversions and family stresses that prevent healthy weight gain. Almost fifty percent of our patients are overcoming behavioral stresses. What We Do The doctors, nurses, dieticians, social workers, and psychologists provide a comprehensive mutlidisciplinary approach to the evaluation and treatment of growth problems. Most growth and feeding programs are a combination of physical, behavioral, and psychosocial factors. In partnership with families, our team focuses on identifying the possible causes of poor weight gain and develops a treatment plan specific to your child's needs. We also work closely with resources in your communities to assist your families. Meet Our Staff John Watkins, MD: Program Director, Pediatric gastroenterology, Nutrition Jacqueline Almestica, MSW, LICSW: Social Work Meera Bognani, RD, MS, LDN: Nutrition Alexis Dugan, Psy.D: Psychology Post-Doctoral Fellow, Behavioral therapy and developmental consultation Wendy Elverson, RD, LDN, CSP, CNSD: Nutrition Leslie Hale-Werner, RN: Feeding and nutritional assestment in home and daycare settings Jenny Kinne, RD, MS, LDN: Nutrition Robert Markowitz, MD: general pediatrics, disordered eating Joanne Michalek, NP: general pediatrics, protective services Nancy Sullivan, PhD: behavioral and developmental medicine If you have any questions regarding the clinic, setting up an appointment, or would like further information, please do not hesitate to contact Ashley at 617-355-7713. Also, please be advised that voicemail is checked and answered only Monday, Wednesday, and Friday afternoons. Related topics: Breastfeeding Effectively Celiac Disease Failure to Thrive Infant Nutrition Lactose Intolerance Newborns: Low Birthweight minimize list Related topics: Breastfeeding Effectively Celiac Disease Failure to Thrive see entire list Great Recipes Online! www.healthykids.com www.tinytummies.com Helpful Nutritional Information www.mypyramid.gov www.ellynsatter.com Easy Recipes from WIC Vegetable Recipes Kids Love One Minute Snack Ideas Behavior Help at Feeding Time SOS! Help for Parents: A Practical Guide for Handling Common Everyday Behavior Problems, by Lynn Clark The Challenging Child, by Stanley Greenspan 1,2,3, Magic: Effective Discipline for Children 2 to 12, by Thomas Phelan Practical Advice for Parents For more help with feeding problems, general questions, and parent/child communication issues, check out the following website recommended by our clinical psychologists: www.kidshealth.org The information on this website should not be taken as medical advice, which can only be given to you by your personal health care professional. Copyright © Children's Hospital Boston. All rights reserved.