Important messages:
 

• 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!
   

• 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.
   

• 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.
   

• 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.
   

• 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. 
   

• 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
   

• 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!
   

• 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.

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