Eleanor Hartley is a HCPC-registered Paediatric Dietitian holding an MSc in Clinical Nutrition from the University of Surrey and specialist certification in infant and maternal nutrition. She has spent 12 years working in NHS paediatric departments and private practice supporting families with feeding challenges. Currently, she runs a specialist infant nutrition clinic and advises on NHS weaning guidelines implementation.
Eleanor Hartley completed her undergraduate degree in Nutrition and Dietetics at Leeds Beckett University before obtaining her Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition from the University of Surrey, where she specialised in paediatric populations. Her 12-year career has spanned NHS paediatric dietetic departments at Great Ormond Street Hospital and Sheffield Children's Hospital, where she developed expertise in managing infant feeding difficulties, food allergies, and faltering growth. Eleanor holds additional qualifications in allergy management from the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology and is trained in the LEAP study protocols for early allergen introduction. She is deeply familiar with NHS Healthy Start schemes, infant formula regulations, and the current SACN recommendations on complementary feeding. Her clinical work involves helping families navigate the often confusing landscape of weaning, whether through traditional spoon-feeding or baby-led approaches, always grounded in evidence rather than trends. Eleanor is particularly passionate about iron deficiency prevention in infants and the critical importance of first foods beyond simple purees. She writes to give parents clear, research-backed guidance that cuts through the noise of social media influencers promoting unqualified nutrition advice. Her goal is to ensure every baby gets the nutritional foundation they need during the crucial first 1,000 days of life.