Meet Kristen Smaldone, a local mom of two boys and the founder of Kristen Smaldone Nutrition. She now practices in Darien and sees patients locally at SproutWell Pediatrics by Dr. Julie Sweeney. Kristen, who has been through feeding challenges with her own children, specializes in picky eating, gastrointestinal conditions, feeding issues and starting solids. Read more about her family-centered approach and what she loves about her job and the community.
How many children do you have and what are their ages?
Two boys—ages 6.5 and 3.5.
What brought you and your family to town?
My family is from Newtown, CT but I am now practicing in Darien. I am seeing patients locally at SproutWell Pediatrics by Dr. Julie Sweeney. Julie and I met over social media and have similar values when working with children—family centered and whole child approach. It is an honor working together.
What’s your favorite aspect about being part of the community?
Everyone is SO welcoming! A lot of local businesses want to collaborate and support each other, it is really refreshing.
What’s your favorite family activity to do in the area?
We love visiting new playgrounds to explore. I have two very active boys that have lots of energy that needs to be burned.
You are the founder of Kristen Smaldone Nutrition. Can you please tell us a bit about your path to opening?
I worked many years in a clinical setting at Yale New Haven Children’s hospital and loved the knowledge I gained, but I always knew I wanted my own practice. I wanted to be able to spend more time with my patients and their families, follow up more frequently, as well as provide a better work-life balance for my family. Having my practice, I am able to do that and I am loving how it is evolving.
Can you tell us more about your company and the services you offer?
Kristen Smaldone Nutrition LLC is a pediatric nutrition practice servicing the dietary needs of infants through teens. I specialize in picky eating, pediatric feeding disorder (PFD) and gastrointestinal conditions. I enjoy working with parents on the introduction of solids. My training also extends to helping children with difficulty gaining weight, food allergies, developmental disabilities, tube feeding and weight management. I offer 1-on-1 nutritional counseling and also host educational workshops and webinars. Most insurances are accepted.
As a pediatric nutritionist, what type of support can families who work with you expect?
As both a full-time mom and a full-time dietitian, trust me when I say I get it! I’ve been in the trenches, feeding two young boys and planning daily meals…while working and doing all the mom things. I want to help you make this part of your day easier. With an extensive clinical background of over 9 years and battle-tested personal experience, I’ll work with your child by adapting tools and approaches to meet their needs. But I’ll also work with you, giving you strategies your whole family can get on board—and has time for.
What’s the most rewarding part of your job?
Working with kids and their families. It is so great watching them grow and make small gradual changes to achieve their goals. It is an honor to help lift the feeding burden off parents shoulders so they can breathe easier and feel more confident in their feeding approach.
What’s the best advice you’ve gotten from another mom?
Small daily connections matter! It can be so hard with the daily hustle and bustle to really savor these moments. I am constantly trying to remind myself to be better about this.
How do you unwind when you need some “me time?”
I enjoy a nice walk in the sunshine or relaxing on the couch and watching a good movie that will make me laugh.
Any words of wisdom?
Know that you’re doing enough! As mom’s we put a lot of pressure on ourselves, but we really are doing a lot better than we think we are and need to give ourselves credit for that.
Where’s your favorite place in town for a quick lunch?
I Love getting lunch at Aux Délices Foods and ordering their ginger, lemon, honey drink.
About Kristen Smaldone MS, RD, CSP, CD-N
Kristen is a pediatric registered dietitian and a mom who’s been through feeding challenges with her own kids. She knows how to get parents out of feeding burnout and bring their families back together for meals—without adding more to their plates! She specializes in picky eating, feeding challenges, gastrointestinal conditions and starting solids. And she accepts most insurances.
Get
one-on-one feeding help that doesn’t add more to your plate!
To learn more about Kristen Smaldone Nutrition, visit her website
and follow her on Instagram: @pediatric.dietitian.mom