Nutrition Services provides leadership and expertise in the delivery and promotion of quality nutritional care to children, youth, women and their families. While the provision of patient care is the primary focus of Nutrition Services, activities and resources are also directed towards education and research to help fulfil the organization’s mandate as an academic health centre.

There are over 40 registered dietitians in the department, each working within their respective programs at Children’s, Sunny Hill or Women’s to assess the nutritional status and needs of patients at risk of less-than-optimal nutrition. They develop, implement, monitor and adjust nutritional care plans based on this assessment and each patient’s ongoing medical condition.

Patient and family education on nutrition and diet modification is provided as needed either on site or via telehealth. The department also operates the Formula Room, which prepares and distributes specialty infant and tube feeding formulas and the BC Metabolic Nutrition Program.

Breastfeeding/Chestfeeding Services

Lactation Services are available for families at BC Children's Hospital.  The team of registered nurses, who are also lactation consultants, are specially trained to provide breastfeeding and lactation support to families with ill or medically complex children. We can help parents who are having any challenges with breastfeeding or pumping. The following services are provided: 

• Consults with families when baby is admitted to BC Children's Hospital. 
• Prenatal and outpatient consults for families with babies receiving follow up through BC Children's hospital clinics.

For families that have a baby admitted to hospital please contact your primary nurse or physician for a referral.  For outpatient referrals, please contact your BC Children's Outpatient Clinic or email childrenslactationservices@cw.bc.ca.

For more information, please email childrenslactationservices@cw.bc.ca.

Children & youth

• Canadian Pediatric Society - Caring for Kids
• Eating Disorders - Information on the Eating Disorders program at BC Children's Hospital
• Shapedown - A program to promote healthy weights in children
• Ellyn Satter - Developing a healthy feeding relationship with your child
• Sick Kids Hospital - About Kids Health

Pregnancy & lactation

• Healthy Families BC
• Healthy Weights in Pregnancy
• Lactation Services at BC Women's Hospital
• Breastfeeding Your Baby (BC Women's)

All ages

• Family Support & Resource Centre
• Healthy Families BC
• HealthLink BC
• Dietitian Services at HealthLink BC
  
• Canada’s Food Guide
• Canada's Physical Activity Guide
• Dietitians of Canada
• Public Health Agency of Canada - Healthy Eating
• Better Together - a hands-on approach to family, food and fun