As parents, it’s our responsibility to provide children their best start to life. Did you know that a strong nutritional foundation and healthy future for children starts as early as 3 months prior to their conception, Yep!

You may have heard about the importance of the first 1,000 days of a child’s life and how it is a foundational period that shapes their development and wellbeing.

Today we are going to deep dive into what the First 1,000 days refers to and provide you with supportive evidence-based information and advice from an industry expert and our special guest Kristy Manners.

Kristy is a university-trained Dietitian, with a diverse health and nutrition background. She is an expert in Infant and Young Child Feeding and has over 15 years work experience as an Ambulance Paramedic in Western Australia. She has specialised in maternal and child nutrition, having trained in paediatric clinical dietetics through the Dieticians Association of Australia, Curtin University and Monash University.

Kristy is an IBCLC Lactation Consultant to better support mothers in providing optimum nutrition to their child.

She has also worked with the World Health Organisation (WHO), ICRC (Red Cross) and other international humanitarian organisations, with over 8 years experience managing malnutrition feeding centres and running maternal and child health and nutrition programs in Albania, Cambodia and Africa. This has given her further experience after completing her Masters in International Health in 2011.

We ask Kristy questions including:

1. What is the first 1000 days and how did it come about?
2. What are babies at risk of, due to inadequate nutrition during the prenatal phase?
3. What is the role of nutrients in preconception and DNA?
4. For couples planning to start their family what should they do to ensure their bodies have the optimal nutritional foundation?
5. How can a tailored nutrition plan can help both the Mum and Dad and what’s involved?
6. What would you say are the optimum conditions for conception?
7. What are some of the other conditions that can influence couples chances of conceiving?
8. What about men, what are some of the causes that may affect their sperm quality?
9. What are some of the nutrients that are most important during pregnancy and what are the possible effects if the baby is not exposed to them?
10. What is the impact on a babies brain development if they don’t have access to sufficient nutritional supply?
11. As a lactation consultant what are your key breastfeeding tips related to the first 1,000 days?
12. Why do you advocate for continuing to breastfeed when your baby begins solids?
13. What are your tips for optimal postpartum mental and physical healing?

For Kristy’s full article, please go to: https://kiddipedia.com.au/how-nutrition-impacts-mother-baby-during-the-first-1000-days/

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