Important messages:
 

• After giving birth you should get enough rest and take extra good care of yourself!
   

• 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
   

• 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!
   

• 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.
   

• 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. 
   

• 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
   

• 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
   

• 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.

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