Navigating nutrition through the
First 1000 Days

From pregnancy to age 2 – the First 1000 Days – baby’s nutrition needs are constantly evolving. Good nutrition during this critical time puts baby on the path to a healthy future.

The First 1000 Days shape the rest of baby’s life.

8 7 12
Pregnancy

Pregnancy: how do my habits affect baby?

Balanced nutrition and appropriate weight gain during pregnancy can reduce baby’s risk of obesity later in life

There’s no need to eat for 2!

Eating foods with many calories but few vitamins or minerals can lead to excess weight gain and health problems for you and baby

Starting in month 4, eat 340-450 more calories each day. Before then, no extra calories are needed

Simple choices will prevent you from putting on too much weight

  • Eat fruits & vegetables each day

  • Cut back on refined carbohydrates & saturated fats

  • Stay active

Your diet during pregnancy can influence baby’s future taste preferences

  • Lady eating apple

    Eating a variety of foods exposes baby to different flavors while still in the womb, helping baby adapt to new foods later on

  • Baby is more likely to prefer flavors experienced before birth

0-6 months

0-6 MONTHS: Should I breastfeed baby?

Breast milk is the best nutrition for baby:

  • Changes as baby grows to provide all the energy & nutrients baby needs

  • Promotes immune system development, reducing allergies & infections

  • Linked to infant and child development, such as speech & academic performance

  • Lowers risk of obesity, diabetes & other diseases in infancy and later in life

  • Contains the precise quantity & quality of protein to boost baby’s growth at each stage of development

Public health authorities recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months

However, 3 in 5 babies are not exclusively breastfed for this period of time

  • Breastfeed at least 8 times a day to keep baby satisfied!

Your healthcare professional will monitor baby’s growth. Healthy growth means a steady increase in height and weight.

6-12 months

6-12 MONTHS: What foods should I start feeding baby?

Starting at 6 months, breast milk alone is not enough to meet baby’s changing needs

When transitioning to solid foods, nutrient gaps are most common. Babies have small tummies, but need big nutrition:

3x more calcium
6x more iron

Carefully choose foods rich in energy, vitamins and minerals, such as iron-fortified cereals and milk-based foods, to avoid nutrient gaps

12-24 months

12-24 MONTHS: HOW CAN I HELP BABY DEVELOP A HEALTHY DIET FOR LIFE?

Healthy eating habits are set early in life – by age 2, eating patterns begin to be established

Pay attention to hunger & fullness cues. You’ll get to understand when baby is hungry or full

For example, baby plays with food or throws food when done

As children begin eating with the family, their diets mirror those they observe — when you eat nutritious foods, baby will too

Offer lots of
flavors & textures

to help baby enjoy a variety of foods later

Don’t give up
too quickly

Sometimes baby needs to try a new food as many as 8 times before enjoying it

Children who eat lots of fruits & vegetables now will also eat them as adults

Why it matters

Children who get the right nutrition in their First 1000 Days may be more likely to…

...overcome childhood diseases more easily

...do better in school

...have higher lifelong earnings

...reach their full potential

To learn more about how you can guide baby toward a healthy future, visit: