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You are encouraged to come to the MindUp regularly with your child (preferably every 100 days) for growth monitoring and promotion!
- Write the birthdate and name of the baby in the HMF first 1,000 days album -
Day 300: 1 month 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 and go for postnatal care visits!
Important messages:
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After giving birth you should get enough rest and take extra good care of yourself!
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Postnatal care:
- It is important to go for postnatal visits to screen for potential complications and treat problems as they arise after giving birth
- Go for your postnatal visit(s) at the local health center in the months after you gave birth
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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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From now on 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 baby's weight should be measured monthly and the height every 3 months at the local health center or MindUp
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Breastfeeding
Read and watch the videos about:
- The importance of exclusive breastfeeding (the baby only receives breastmilk, no other liquids or solids are given - not even water) in the first 6 months of life
- Breastfeeding positions and attachment to the breast (when necessary)
- Benefits of breastmilk over animal milk or formula milk
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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Take vitamin A supplements:
- You should take a vitamin A supplement right after birth (or within a few weeks) and one in 6 months after birth, this is important to ensure good health and protection against infections for both you and your child.
- Vitamin A boosts your immune system and the baby receives vitamin A through breastmilk
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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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Child development
Developmental milestones:
- Brain & Cognitive Development: Focuses on objects and faces, learns by putting objects in mouth hand exploring with hands.
- Emotional Development: Begins to smile, cries due to discomfort.
- Eating skills: Breastfeeding is best (0-6 months) - Exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life is the best nutritional start for babies, tongue moves forward and back to suck.
- Physical Changes: Learns to hold his head up.
- Physiological Changes: Rapid growth rate, maturation of intestinal tract, gut flora established, development of the innate immune system.
Growth Monitoring and Promotion:
Messages related to the outcome of the length mat / growth curve
At 3 months of age, your baby's height is measured at the local health center or MindUp. The baby 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 baby's height is in the following zone:
(Click on a button to get extra key messages)
Recommended feeding practices
in the first 24 months

Video - growth monitoring and promotion
Video - vitamin A
More information about:

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