About
About Belen
BA (Hons), MSc Nutrition, Dip NT, Dip CST, mNTOI, mIACST, IBT
My work is exclusively with babies and children, combining personalised nutritional therapy and craniosacral therapy to support their health and development. It includes digestive and feeding difficulties, baby colic, and support for neurodivergent children experiencing challenges such as selective eating, digestive concerns and sensory differences.
I hold an MSc in Personalised Nutrition, I am a registered nutritional therapist and craniosacral therapist with specialised training in functional medicine and pre- and perinatal psychology. My approach considers each child’s individual needs and explores how nutrition, physical comfort and early experiences may influence their wellbeing.
My Story
The journey to becoming a baby and children’s nutritionist and craniosacral therapist began with my own children, who remain my greatest inspiration and the driving force behind Belén Optimum Health. After the birth of my first child, I became interested in natural approaches to health and wellbeing. I took a career break from my 11 years in EU advisory work to pursue this new path.
Six years later, my child’s school principal suggested an assessment for dyslexia and dyspraxia. He was also experiencing agitation and emotional vulnerability. Wanting to understand what might be contributing to his difficulties, I explored approaches beyond conventional support. By chance, I met a kinesiologist who identified a possible gluten intolerance. Following the introduction of a gluten-free diet, I noticed positive changes in my child’s spelling, handwriting and general calmness within two weeks.
This experience sparked my interest in the gut–brain connection and the relationship between nutrition, learning and behaviour. It also shaped my commitment to supporting neurodivergent children and their families.
As a mother of three, my own experiences have shaped both my professional path and my understanding of the challenges parents face. I combine this personal perspective with my clinical experience and specialist training to help children get the best start in life.
My professional journey
- A whole-child understanding of health: My training in craniosacral therapy and my experience of pregnancy and homebirth deepened my interest in early development.
- Working exclusively with babies and children’s: I focused my clinical work to building strong health foundations from early life.
- Supporting neurodivergent children: I developed a strong interest in supporting neurodivergent children and their families, helping parents explore how nutrition, digestive health and individual sensory needs may influence their child’s wellbeing.
- Specialist training and research: I completed a MSc in Personalised Nutrition, became a registered nutritional therapist and undertook further training in functional medicine and pre- and perinatal psychology. My research explored the benefits of personalised nutritional advice for infant colic.
Qualifications and Professional memberships
- Master's Degree in Personalised Nutrition awarded by Middlesex University in collaboration with the Centre for Nutrition Education and Lifestyle Management (CNELM), London 2023
- Integrative Baby Therapy training, Conscious Embodiment, Bristol 2022
- Institute for Functional Medicine, Applying Functional Medicine in Clinical Practice (AFMCP UK), London 2018
- Nutritional Therapy Diploma, Institute for Optimum Nutrition (ION), London 2018
- Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy Diploma, Body Intelligence Training, Dublin, 2013
- Systematic Kinesiology Diploma, The Academy of Systematic Kinesiology (ASK), Dublin, 2011
- Member of NTOI (Irish Association of Nutritional Therapists)
- Member of the NMI (Nutritional Medecine Institute)
- Member of IACST (Irish Association of Craniosacral Therapy)
- Member of IMTA (Irish Massage therapists Association)
- Fully insured for professional liability with Balens Ltd
- Garda vetted, July 2018 (according to the Irish children & vulnerable persons Acts 2012 & 2016)
- First Aid certificate
Post-grad training
I belong to three professional associations, NTOI, IACST and IMTA which require CPD. I attend approximately 20 different events a year, from conferences, workshops and webinars to keep up with new developments in my areas of expertise and meet CPD requirements. I am also a certified Irish Life Health practitioner and a member of my local Chamber of Commerce.
Media
I co-authored a published study that validates the use of personalised maternal dietary advice for colic relief.
Explore the colic-maternal diet connection in this interview for the ION Newsletter
My practice was featured in the Integrative Healthcare and Applied Nutrition (IHCAN) magazine
IACST Webinar for craniosacral therapy practitioners
OurBirthJourney Webinar for health practitioners
I am an eager communicator. For media inquiries or speaking requests, please email info@belenoptimumhealth.com.
Follow Me
Craniosacral Magic for a day 🌿
💛 A joy to reconnect with like-minded people, learn from inspiring voices in our field, and share meaningful moments of connection: body, mind and spirit.
So grateful to be part of this community 🙏
#craniosacralireland #CraniosacralTherapy
Common reasons to bring a child to the clinic....Friday morning`s work 🦆🦋
These first few weeks of September, I’ve seen several toddlers and primary-school children who are finding the transition back to school difficult 🚧
And it’s not unusual for this to show up as:
* More emotional
* More irritable
* Restless or hyperactive
* Withdrawn or exhausted
* More resistant to everyday requests
But rather than looking only at the behaviour, I always like to ask: what might be driving it? 🌊
📢 For some children, the return to school means a huge increase in sensory input, i.e. noise, movement, people, instructions and constant stimulation
👨👩👧 They also have less access to their usual safety network. Mum or Dad aren`t there to help them regulate when things feel overwhelming.
📐And there are more demands and less flexibility: following instructions, transitioning between activities and managing expectations throughout the day.
For some children, this can leave their nervous system working much harder than usual. Often, what we see at home is simply where all that accumulated stress comes out😩
If your child is struggling with the transition back to school, I can help you look at the whole picture from nervous-system regulation and sensory needs to nutrition, digestion and the foundations that support your child`s ability to cope and adapt 🦋 🧠 🥗 🌳
#gutbrainconnection #backtoschool #emotionalregulation #dublinparents #malahidemums
You don’t have to leave the house to get the support your child needs 🌿
This week, I’ve had several online consultations with parents, and I have to say, I really love connecting with families in this way.
There is something lovely about being able to talk from the comfort of home, without the journey to the clinic, and often with everyone feeling a little more relaxed.
Online doesn’t mean less personal. Through screen sharing, I am able to show resources and diagrams, talk through photos, and even demonstrate exercises with videos from my video library.
From a discovery call to ongoing consultations, we can look at the bigger picture:
✨ Feeding & eating
✨ Digestion & gut health
✨ Behaviour & mood
✨ Nervous system
✨ Development
And turn what we discover into practical, personalised steps you can use at home. Support doesn’t always have to mean another journey or another thing to fit into your day. Sometimes, it can begin with a conversation from your own home 🧡
When your baby cries, it can be hard to know what they’re trying to tell you. Is it colic, reflux, tummy discomfort, overstimulation, tighness or an unsettled nervous system?
Babies dont just cry a lot without a reason.
I help you uncover the WHY to help
👶 Babies feel.calmer, happier
🤱 Parents feel calmer, more confident and supported
#malahidebabytherapy
A Whole Child approach. These are typical examples from this week at the clinic.
#GutHealthKids #malahidechildrensclinic #wholechildapproach
☀️ We`re back! ☀️
After a lovely summer break, we`re excited to welcome families back to the clinic!!
We continue to support babies, toddlers, and school-aged children with a personalised, whole-child approach to health. Whether you`re looking for help with digestion, feeding, sleep, neurodivergence, sensory challenges, or overall wellbeing, we`re here to help you understand the why behind your child`s symptoms and create a plan that`s tailored to your child.
💚 Our goal is to help children build strong health foundations so they can thrive.
📍 Appointments are now available.
📞 If you`re new to the clinic and wondering whether we`re the right fit, book a free 15-minute discovery call (bio). We`d love to hear about your child`s needs and answer any questions you may have.
#Malahide #DublinParents #ChildNutrition #PaediatricNutrition #BabyHealth #ToddlerHealth #ChildHealth #Neurodivergence #SensorySupport #GutHealth #FeedingSupport #SleepSupport
🍃 Looking Beyond Behaviour with children with neurodivergence
One of the most rewarding parts of my work is seeing what happens when we begin supporting the gut and nutrition.
Parents often tell me their child starts sleeping better, feeling calmer, become more curious around foods, and engaged with the world around them.
Because sometimes, looking beyond behaviour means looking after the body first.
💡If this speaks to you, then grab my free `Gut Approach to Neurodivergence` handout for parents in bio.
🌱 Nourish the roots. Support the brain. Help your child thrive.
#LookingBeyondBehaviour #AutismSupport #ADHDParenting #NeurodivergentChildren #GutBrainConnection
Check what parents are saying...
The assessment was thorough to get a full picture of the issues. Belén recommended a combination of different techniques and she worked with great care and sensitivity, making the treatment as comfortable as possible.
We are hugely grateful, the treatment has made a big difference to our baby’s health and feeding is much easier for her now.
