Nicole Bando

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Nicole Bando Nicole is a specialist Paediatric & Family Health Dietitian & Lactation Consultant based in Melbourne

Nutrition is an important part of planning for a thriving family and helps to lay the foundation for a healthy mother and baby. This is important to reduce the risks of chronic disease later in life. Diet and lifestyle can even impact fertility and there are many facets of the diet that can be modified to help. I am an Accredited Practising Dietitian (BNutrDietet, Monash University), with over a decade of acute clinical experience at Alfred Health. Since having children, I have developed a passion for maternal and infant health, leading me to complete the Certificate IV in Breastfeeding Education (Counselling) through the Australian Breastfeeding Association, where I now support mothers on the National Breastfeeding Helpline. This experience, combined with the Certificate of Paediatric Nutrition and Dietetics (Unit 1) completed through the Royal Children’s Hospital, allows me to address any nutrition concerns you may have within your family, at any stage. With the abundance of dietary information available, it can be challenging to know what to eat! I will tailor advice to suit the needs of each individual, explore your particular goals and provide you with the tools required to overcome diet and lifestyle challenges. If you would like evidence-based advice in the following areas, I will help you to glow, grow or nurture:
• Diet for fertility
• Eating for a healthy pregnancy
• Gestational diabetes management
• Weight management at any stage of the life-cycle
• How to manage your diet during pregnancy with morning sickness, reflux, iron deficiency or constipation
• Staying healthy on a vegetarian or vegan diet (avoiding nutrient deficiencies)
• Eating for breastfeeding
• Staying healthy as a new mum
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (including low FODMAP diet)
• Infant growth (breastfeeding, formula or mixed feeding, introducing solids, etc.)
• Fussy eating
• Food allergies and intolerances

We will work together towards glowing, sustainable and happy eating. Please see below for more information about my services and fees:

I am often asked how much babies 'need' to eat. This is an approximate guide only; please note that quantities build gra...
01/10/2026

I am often asked how much babies 'need' to eat. This is an approximate guide only; please note that quantities build gradually, from 6-12 months, and are hugely variable. Weaning is a gradual process, so it is important that solids are introduced gradually. Start with 1 meal at around 6 months, 2 meals by around 7-8 months and 3 meals by 8-9 months.
Breastfeeds or infant formula feeds will vary in frequency and range from 4 to 8 times per day over the course of this age bracket. Again, there is huge variation in feeding frequency and volume; after all, we all have different requirements.

These supermarket breads tick the wholemeal (good) or wholegrain (better) boxes, and are also free from emulsifiers, pre...
01/10/2026

These supermarket breads tick the wholemeal (good) or wholegrain (better) boxes, and are also free from emulsifiers, preservatives and other numbers.
Many supermarket breads are now ultra processed foods. So, if you are after, well, bread, these are the products I recommend.
They are also soy and dairy free, for breastfeeding mums avoiding these ingredients, due to baby’s allergies.
Gluten free options up next.

New Australian guidelines recommend to avoid smearing food on your baby's skin to test for a reaction, as this can cause...
30/09/2026

New Australian guidelines recommend to avoid smearing food on your baby's skin to test for a reaction, as this can cause redness or irritation, which can be confused for an allergic reaction. Frequent skin contact without eating the food, may increase risk of allergy.
A mild rash around baby’s mouth straight after eating an allergen, with no other signs of allergy, may not be an allergic reaction. Australian guidelines recommend retrying the food. However, if additional symptoms develop, seek medical advice.
If baby has had a skin reaction, you may apply a barrier cream that is free from food and perfume around baby's mouth and chin. Offer the food on a spoon, directly into baby's mouth, when baby is well.

Once an allergen has been introduced, continue to offer it once per week, (unless the baby has an allergic reaction to t...
29/09/2026

Once an allergen has been introduced, continue to offer it once per week, (unless the baby has an allergic reaction to the food). If not offered regularly, there may be a higher risk of baby developing an allergy to that food. Once per week is thought to be practical for most families.

Breakfast never gets old. Many of my patients skip or skimp on this, and end up very hungry later in the day. This can c...
28/09/2026

Breakfast never gets old. Many of my patients skip or skimp on this, and end up very hungry later in the day. This can contribute to fatigue and overcompensating. I see this with kids and adults alike.
Com back to basics with rolled oats made with milk (calcium fortified alternatives include soy, Tiger milk, if using almond or oat you may need to add some protein to your breakfast), chia seeds, 100% peanut butter, stewed pear and prunes. Oh and a little maple syrup or honey.
My trick is to soak the oats overnight, they cook within a few minutes the following day.
The bottom line? Eat breakfast, every day
NEST Family Clinic

Food allergen starter packs promise a convenient way to introduce common food allergens to babies. However, they are not...
24/09/2026

Food allergen starter packs promise a convenient way to introduce common food allergens to babies. However, they are not recommended as a safe way to do so.

Packs can vary in the amount of protein that is provided in a serve, which may not be enough to tell if baby has an allergy to that food. So, a baby may tolerate the powder from the kit, then have an allergic reaction when exposed to the whole food.

To add, egg powders may be raw or insufficiently cooked, and this can increase the risk of an allergic reaction. When egg is cooked, the protein changes and thus reduces the risk of allergy.

It is best (and cheaper) to use whole foods offered in a texture and form that is safe for your baby’s age and stage.
NEST

Australian guidelines recommend exclusive breastfeeding until around 6 months of age, when solid foods are introduced (w...
23/09/2026

Australian guidelines recommend exclusive breastfeeding until around 6 months of age, when solid foods are introduced (when baby is showing signs of readiness), whilst continuing to breastfeed up to 12 months and beyond. When this is not possible, infant formula is the safest alternative for infants under 12 months.

Signs of readiness include; good head and neck control, can sit upright when supported, shows interest in food, reaches for your food. Foods can be introduced as puree, or large, handle shaped, soft finger foods (baby-led weaning), or a combination of the two,

The most common allergens (allergy causing foods) should be introduced by 12 months of age. This reduces the risk of babies developing food allergy.
The top 10 allergen foods are: Egg, Cow’s Milk, Wheat, Soy, Peanut, Tree nuts, Sesame, Fish, Shellfish.

Cooked egg and peanut paste are the first two allergens to introduce soon after baby starts solids.

Shopping for a family is pricey these days. Whilst my preferred option is to buy foods in bulk to minimise cost and pack...
23/09/2026

Shopping for a family is pricey these days. Whilst my preferred option is to buy foods in bulk to minimise cost and packaging, I find my kids won’t take foods to school this way 🫠. And then they don’t eat enough and it’s a spiral. Does this sound familiar?
These are my top ALDI healthy snack choices that contain no to minimal additives, and taste good too.

Mexican beef & baked potato bowls:
I saw this recipe in a weekend newspaper magazine, but it was meat heavy, with minima...
21/09/2026

Mexican beef & baked potato bowls:
I saw this recipe in a weekend newspaper magazine, but it was meat heavy, with minimal veg, heaps of salt and loads of cheese. So I have adapted the recipe for a healthier family meal.
This version provides diversity of colour, iron, Vitamin B12, potassium, Vitamin C and calcium. 💪

Ingredients:
4 medium potatoes
500g extra lean beef mince
1tb salt reduced tomato paste
1 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
80g grated low fat cheese (nutritional yeast if dairy allergy/intolerance)
juice of 1 lime

Salad:
shredded lettuce leaves
4 tomatoes, diced
1 red capsicum, diced
red onion, thinly sliced.

Bonus: drain a can of red kidney beans to top potatoes.

Method:
1. Preheat oven to 200 degrees. Bake potatoes for 1hr until golden brown or soft. 
2. Whilst potatoes are baking, cook mince. Heat a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil in a pan, brown meat on high heat. Add tomato paste, cook for one minute. Add spices, cook 1 minute. Turn off heat, add lime/lemon juice.

Load each potato with meat, beans and half a plate of salad. Top with cheese.
 Nest Clinic

My favourite time of day is 6am. What is yours?Feel free to comment👇
18/09/2026

My favourite time of day is 6am. What is yours?
Feel free to comment👇

Address

289-291 Kooyong Road
Elsternwick, VIC
3185

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 1pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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