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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!
- Put a picture of the child where he/she is playing in the HMF first 1,000 days album -
Day 800: 17 - 18 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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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
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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!
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Child development
Developmental milestones
- Eating skills: Begins spooning (not always adeptly), can bite a variety of textures, is able to eat easy to chew meats
- Brain & Cognitive Development: Build a tower of 2-4 blocks, construct simple phrases, listens to a story, can communicate intentions.
- Emotional Development: Shy or anxious with strangers, uses the word “no”, develops emotions of shame/embarrassment.
- Physical Changes: Stands alone, takes early steps.
- Physiological Changes: 1st molars appear.
Growth Monitoring and Promotion:
Messages related to the outcome of the length mat / growth curve
At 15 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 15-17 months of age

Recommended texture and frequency at 15-17 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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