Importance of Maternal Nutrition in the First 1,000 Days of Life and Its Effects on Child Development: A Narrative Review

Abstract

Maternal nutrition needs to be addressed during pregnancy for the child's first 1,000 days of life, or roughly between conception and a child's second birthday. The infant requires just breast milk for the first six months of life. The production of breastmilk and its nutritional value is essentially unaffected by maternal privation. The child's health suffers when the mother's diet and health are impaired. This review aims to discuss the importance of pregnant women's nutrition and how it impacts the development and expansion of a child during this critical period of development, which is supported by the most recent literature. Throughout the child's growth in the mother's womb and outside, four distinct stages have been identified:(1) nine months to zero months: pregnancy; (2) zero to six months: breastfeeding; (3) six to 12 months: introduction of solid food; and (4) >12 months: transition to family diet, appreciation of nutritious food offered within each period for the child's development. Moreover, there is a strong link between nutrition, well-being, and learning. The nutritional intake of infants, children, and adolescents maintains the body weight and is sufficient to sustain their normal growth and development. One of the crucial factors influencing a child's development is nutrition. Rapid growth occurs during infancy. Compared to other growth phases, this phase has the largest relative energy and food needs for body size.

Pemantauan Pertumbuhan melalui Stimulasi Anak Balita Suku Bajo menggunakan Instrumen Kuesioner Praskrining Perkembangan

“…Asupan gizi yang diterima oleh anak ditentukan oleh bagaimana nutrisi yang ibu dapatkan. Ibu menyusui dalam enam bulan pertama pasca persalinan memerlukan diet yang sesuai dengan kebutuhan kesehatan fisiologisnya dan kebutuhan bayi (Likhar & Patil, 2022).…”

Maternal and environmental Impact assessment on Neurodevelopment in Early childhood years (MINE): a prospective cohort study protocol from a low, middle-income country

“…Many of these children live in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs), where there is often a profound confluence of negative environmental and psychosocial factors 2. The first 1000 days of a child’s life are widely recognised as a sensitive period of development, where the structural and functional architecture of the brain is laid, and lifelong patterns of physical, cognitive, and socioemotional health are established 3…”

“…Throughout this period, the fetal and infant’s brain increases almost threefold in volume, and its extensive neuroarchitecture matures through processes including neurogenesis, migration, synaptogenesis, and myelination 4. This transformation is fueled by the mother and child’s nutritional and energy resources, and shaped by cascades of genetic and environmental interactions—modulated through psychosocial and caregiving relationships 3 5. Previous neuroimaging studies provide clear evidence of how these factors can alter the developing brain, particularly when these adversities are experienced during the early life years 6…”

Little Baby Handbook: Introducing Care for Small Babies in the Indonesian Community

“…5,6 As a result, their babies are unable to receive optimal care for their growth and development. 7,8 This is partly due to the lack of knowledge and confidence of health workers in caring for small babies. 1,9…”

“…5,6 As a result, their babies are unable to receive optimal care for their growth and development. 7,8 This is partly due to the lack of knowledge and confidence of health workers in caring for small babies. 1,9 In effort to address this, focusing on optimizing the care of small babies in the community, the Ministry of Health (MoH) developed the "Little Baby Handbook (LBH)" in 2021, which contains health records and information on the care of small babies.…”