11/09/2025
The First 1000 Days: Giving Children the Best Start
Why the First 1000 Days Matter
• 🧠 Brain Growth: Rapid brain development and learning.
• ❤️ Healthy Future: Nutrition and care reduce the risk of chronic diseases later in life.
• 🤝 Strong Foundations: Early care shapes social, emotional, and learning skills.
⸻
Key Nutrition & Care Interventions
1. For Mothers
• Eat a balanced diet during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
• Start breastfeeding within the first hour after birth.
2. For Babies
• 0–6 months: Exclusive breastfeeding (no water, no other foods).
• 6–24 months: Add safe, nutritious complementary foods while continuing breastfeeding up to 2 years and beyond.
3. For Preterm Babies
• Human milk (mother’s or donor milk) protects against NEC (necrotizing enterocolitis), a dangerous gut disease.
• Avoid formula in premature babies unless absolutely necessary.
4. Responsive Caregiving
• Show love and attention: talk, play, comfort.
• Respond to your baby’s needs to build trust and emotional security.
⸻
Benefits of Investing in the First 1000 Days
✅ Fewer illnesses and lower risk of death
✅ Better brain development and school performance
✅ Stronger future workforce and economic growth
⸻
Kandy Dietitians’ Commitment
💡 Educate Mothers – on healthy eating during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
🤱 Support Feeding – promote breastfeeding and safe alternatives when needed.
🍼 Protect Preemies – encourage donor milk use to prevent NEC.
💞 Promote Nurturing Care – support mothers’ mental health and responsive parenting.
⸻
📌 Remember
The first 1000 days (pregnancy + first 2 years) are a once-in-a-lifetime chance to build your child’s future.
Good nutrition + loving care = a healthy, thriving child.
———————-
