The first 1000 days of a child’s life
Part 1
Maternal and child nutrition is important for the first 1000 day’s of a child’s life, influencing the ability of a child to develop, learn and thrive.
Early life from pregnancy to their second birthday is a critical period, as deficiencies of key nutrients during pregnancy and infancy could have lifelong effects on brain development, possibly increasing the risks for a wide range of neurodevelopmental and mental health problems.
When I talk about this subject I am fully aware that people think I am providing another reason for mothers to feel guilty. But we shouldn’t be blaming ourselves its our food environment, it’s so much easier and cheaper to eat unhealthy foods and there is very little advice on this subject.
There is not a set pregnancy and postnatal diet I recommend but as long as your diet includes a diverse range of plant foods and other unprocessed foods we are on the right track.
I often explain to my clients:-
“Prenatally the seeds of a baby's health are sown
They develop throughout the first 1000 days affecting their psychological and physical health.”
And then we discuss how they can help them grow, learn & thrive.
There are 4 important stages:
❤️ When your child starts growing in the womb
❤️ Breastfeeding (If you decide to)
❤️ Introduction of solids
❤️ The transition to a family diet by the age of 2,
The research found that at each stage, nutritious foods fuel a child’s development, learning and well-being.
This is because the developing brain of a child’s, grows and develops faster throughout the first 1000 days, essential nutrients fuel this growth and the foundations for their long-term health are being established, please read part 2.
Importance of maintaining a Healthy Gut during pregnancy and postnatal recovery
It’s important that mum has a healthy gut during and after pregnancy. This influences babies’ gut because mum’s gut bacteria travel to the placenta. If breastfeeding, it is believed there is a pathway from the gut to the mammary gland. A healthy gut influences your child's immune system.
A nutritious diet is still important beyond 1000 days, to maintain health and support your child’s immune system. If your child struggled with weaning or was a picky eater it is not too late to introduce nutritious foods that support your child’s development and wellbeing.
Can early exposure to different flavours during pregnancy help weaning?
There is evidence that prenatal and postnatal exposure to a large variety of foods and flavours plays an important role in the development of baby’s taste and flavour preferences. This early exposure can influence food habits in early childhood.
For some mums, this responsibility can be overwhelming, and further research online can be confusing.
If you are pregnant or a new mum please contact me, I can recommend simple recipes packed with key nutrients required to support the development of your child.
References
Changes in the Gut Microbiome and Pathologies in Pregnancy
Influence of maternal microbiota during pregnancy on infant immunity