Understanding Pediatric Gut Health: Microbiome Testing, Nutrition, and Individualized Care

Welcome to the Pursuing Private Practice podcast! Join Jennifer McGurk, CEO of Pursuing Private Practice, and Kristen Fustos, board-certified pediatric dietitian, for a conversation about pediatric gut health, microbiome testing, and building a private practice around your clinical expertise. Jennifer and Kristen dive deep into the science of the gut microbiome and the business of finding the offers and marketing strategies that work for your business. Kristen discusses how gut health begins developing early in life, and why nutrition during infancy and childhood can have an important impact on long-term health. She also shares how she brings this science into her work with families through individualized nutrition recommendations and a food-first approach to supporting gut health. - **Breaking Down Pediatric Gut Health** (03:10) Kristen walks through just how much falls under pediatric gut health, from reflux and constipation to eczema, food reactions, feeding challenges, and the gut-brain connection. - **How Kristen Found Her Niche** (06:38) Kristen shares how her work with WIC and at a children's hospital eventually led her to gut health—and why seeing frustrated families made her realize she wanted to offer something different. - **Why Gut Health Matters So Early in Life** (11:14) Kristen explains what drew her to the gut microbiome and why supporting gut health during infancy and childhood can have an impact far beyond digestive symptoms. - **Giving Parents the Time and Support They're Looking For** (13:07) Kristen talks about working with parents who know something isn't quite right but don't always feel heard, and how she helps them explore what could actually be going on. - **Trying Different Offers Until You Find What Works** (14:41) Kristen shares what she learned from trying one-on-one sessions, a group program, and eventually a more personalized program model that better fits the families she works with. - **Why One Nutrition Session Usually Isn't Enough** (19:13) Jennifer and Kristen discuss the value of ongoing nutrition counseling, follow-up, and collaboration, and why packaging services can help clients understand that meaningful change takes time. - **Finding the Marketing Strategies That Work for You** (21:41) Kristen shares how her marketing has evolved from Instagram and online collaborations to local networking, workshops, provider referrals, and more in-person connections. - **Where Do You Start With Pediatric Gut Health?** (24:10) Kristen breaks down what beginner, intermediate, and advanced pediatric gut health care can look like so that other dietitians can better understand where their own knowledge and scope fit. - **Getting More Personalized With Microbiome Testing** (28:18) Kristen explains how she learned to interpret microbiome testing, what these tests can reveal, and how she uses the information to personalize nutrition recommendations while continuing to prioritize food first. - **Kristen's Advice for Dietitians Getting Into Pediatric Gut Health** (37:01) Jennifer asks Kristen for her best tip for dietitians who want to explore pediatric gut health and microbiome testing.   Pediatric gut health is a specialized area, but Kristen's story is also a great example of what can happen when you build a private practice around your clinical expertise. From deepening her knowledge of the gut microbiome to experimenting with different offers and marketing strategies, she has created a business that gives families the time, support, and individualized care they are looking for.   This episode is a reminder that you don't need to have every part of your business figured out from the beginning—you can keep learning, refining, and finding the approach that works best for both you and your clients.   **Sponsor:** ✨ Business School is designed to guide you through every stage of building a private practice: getting set up, seeing your first clients, growing until you're fully booked, hiring a team, expanding your offers—and even learning how to coast when needed. Inside, you'll follow a step-by-step curriculum with the flexibility to choose the path that fits your current stage of business and life. You'll get access to advanced toolkits, templates, and systems for business topics like marketing and finances, but also for counseling skills and client support. Beyond the curriculum, you're supported by personalized 1:1 coaching, weekly office hours, and monthly themes that address the real challenges of private practice. The program keeps you moving forward with built-in accountability that builds resilience and confidence so you feel like a legit business owner.   Learn more and apply here: https://pursuingprivatepractice.com/businessschool/   **Connect with Pursuing Private Practice:** 🎉 Instagram: @pursuing.private.practice 📧 Email: Contact Us   **Free Resources For Dietitians at Any Stage of Business:** 🍎 The Ultimate Checklist to Start Your Private Practice ✨ Free Training: Get Clients Now 3-Day Challenge 👯 Free Workshop: Hire Your Next Team Member 💻 The Pursuing Private Practice Blog 🎙️The Pursuing Private Practice Podcast **About Krsiten:** Kristen Fustos, MS, RDN, CSP, LD is a board-certified pediatric dietitian and founder of Happy Tummy Nutrition. She specializes in infant and early childhood gut health and nutrition, helping families navigate everything from starting solids to food sensitivities, eczema, reflux and complex feeding challenges. Kristen brings a collaborative, practical approach making pediatric nutrition and gut health feel simple and doable for everyone!   **Connect with Kristen:** Website Instagram: @happytummynutrition