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You are still invited to come to the MindUp with your child until he/she is 5 years old!
- Put a picture of the child where he/she is moving (for ex. dancing, cycling, playing with a ball), the length of the child, how many times the parents visited the MindUp in the HMF first 1,000 days album. Also, the album can be printed at the MindUp! -
Day 1,000: 24 months old
In case of concerns or difficulties after giving birth or breastfeeding, or concerning the health of the baby, a mother should always see a health professional at the local health center!
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Your child turned 2 years, congratulations!!!
Important messages:
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First 1,000 days and the prevention of stunting:
- The first 1,000 days covers the period of 9 months pregnancy + first 24 months of life
- During this period children grow at very high speed: they triple their weight, almost double their height, and their brain makes millions of connections
- This period is crucial for helping children to reach their full potential
- Even before birth, the fetus is at risk if the mother lacks essential nutrients needed for the brain, bone, and organ development of the baby
Note: Most stunting (low height-for-age) happens in this critical period and is almost always irreversible!
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Growth monitoring and promotion is very important:
- Measuring the height and weight of a child regularly is important to make sure the child grows and develops well
- The weight and height of a child can be seen and measured, but the most important growth of the brain cannot be seen, however, if we see that a child grows well in height, we can assume that the brain also is developing well
Note: The child's weight should be measured monthly and the height every 3 months at the local health center or MindUp. After two years, the weight and height should be measured every 6 months until the child is 5 years old.
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Your child should get a vitamin A capsule at 24 months of age:
Vitamin A helps to protect the child against illness and infection and helps to prevent night blindness.
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Breastfeeding
Continue to breastfeed whenever the child is hungry!
Note: If you are experiencing any problems with breastfeeding, it is good to discuss this with a MUM or a health care professional.
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Responsive feeding and caring:
It is very important to respond to the baby’s cues for feeding and comfort in order for the child to develop well and reach its full potential.
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You should eat the following in the period that you are breastfeeding:
- Continue to eat a few extra healthy snacks a day while breastfeeding
- Drink plenty of water (2 Liters a day) and juice
- Eat a healthy and diverse diet
- There are no special foods required to produce an adequate amount of breastmilk, the baby will make sure there is enough produced by drinking often
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Continue complementary feeding:
- At 6 months of age, breastmilk alone is no longer enough to meet the nutritional requirements of the baby, other foods and liquids are needed along with breastmilk
- Complementary feeding is the transition between exclusive breastfeeding and family foods
- Complementary feeding covers the period from 6-24 months of age, even though breastfeeding may continue to two years of age and beyond
Note: Solid foods are the most important nutrition source at this age and breastmilk is almost not needed anymore!
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Child development
Developmental milestones:
- Eating skills: Uses a spoon increasingly well, stabs food with a fork, begins chewing fibrous pieces, swallows foods easily with lip closure.
- Brain & Cognitive Development: Sorts objects into simple categories, augmenting vocabulary, can clearly communicate needs, increased attention span.
- Emotional Development: Develops clear and consistent personality, begins to anticipate consequences.
- Physical Changes: Walks backward, runs well.
- Physiological Changes: Lower 2nd molars appear, adult flora established, brain growth 80% complete.
Growth Monitoring and Promotion:
Messages related to the outcome of the length mat / growth curve
At 24 months of age, your child's height is measured at the local health center or MindUp. The child will be measured with the help of a length mat and the height will be plotted (automatically) in a growth curve.
According to the length mat/growth curve, your child's height is in the following zone:

(Click on a button to get extra key messages)
Complementary feeding
at 22-24 months of age

Recommended texture and frequency at 22-24 months of age:
family foods - 3 meals a day (bigger bowl) + 1-2 healthy snacks
Video - complementary foods
at 12-24 months of age
Video - complementary foods
from family foods
More information about:

Video - vitamin A

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