Umme Salma Vahanvaty, RD

I am a Certified Pediatric Specialist Registered Dietitian with over 20 years of experience working with children and young adults across a range of clinical and community settings. My practice is rooted in a family-centered approach, where I collaborate closely with caregivers to support the nutritional needs of children, from infancy through adolescence, including those with complex medical conditions.

My areas of expertise include pediatric nutrition assessment, feeding difficulties, enteral nutrition, and managing dietary needs in children with chronic illnesses affecting the pulmonary, cardiovascular, muscular, and neurological systems. I work extensively with children who struggle to meet their nutritional needs—whether due to medical conditions, feeding aversions, or selective eating patterns. I guide families in identifying nutrients at risk, offering individualized strategies to expand dietary variety and improve nutritional intake.

For children who are unable to meet their needs by mouth, I provide comprehensive support in choosing appropriate alternative feeding methods. I am experienced in developing and adjusting enteral feeding regimens, including both commercial formulas and blended diets, ensuring that nutrition plans are both effective and sustainable for families.

I have successfully delivered care through both in-person and Telehealth platforms, and I understand the importance of accessibility and flexibility in today’s healthcare environment. Regardless of the setting, my focus is on providing practical, actionable guidance that empowers families. I prioritize regular follow-up and ongoing communication to monitor progress and adapt plans as a child’s needs evolve.

Throughout my career, I’ve worked closely with interdisciplinary teams and have developed strong collaborative relationships with physicians, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, and other healthcare professionals. These partnerships have enhanced my ability to provide comprehensive, well-integrated care.

Whether I’m helping a family navigate a new diagnosis, manage long-term enteral nutrition, or simply encourage better eating habits, my goal is always to meet families where they are and work alongside them to support their child’s growth, development, and overall well-being.