Prevent Stunting: Ensure good nutrition in the First 1000 Days (Pregnant and Lactating Women, Infants and Young Children)The First 1000 days of life, also known as the “golden window of opportunity” is the period wherein good nutrition must be given to mother and child to ensure the child’s proper growth and development. This period starts from pregnancy until the child’s second birthday.

However, it is also during this period when growth faltering happens. Stunting or “pagkabansot” in Filipino is an irreversible outcome of inadequate nutrition and repeated bouts of infection during the First 1000 Days. Stunting has long-term effects which include diminished cognitive and physical development, reduced productive capacity and poor health. Stunted children are also prone in becoming overweight and obese in their adulthood.

Good nutrition, health, and proper care in the first 1000 days gives the child the best start to life. So how can we ensure good nutrition in the First 1000 Days?

Pregnancy (270 days)

Pregnant women should:

  • Maintain a normal body weight prior to and during pregnancy.
  • Eat nutritious and balanced diet.
  • Have at least four (4) pre-natal check-ups.
  • Take iron-folic acid supplements for 180 days to prevent anemia. Folic acid is also needed for the development of the baby’s nervous system and prevent neural tube defects.
  • Use adequately iodized salt in food preparation.
  • Prepare birth, breastfeeding and rooming-in plans.
  • Consult with trained health workers on proper infant and young child feeding.
  • Be counselled on nutrition for pregnant women, smoking cessation, healthy lifestyle, parent-child interaction, responsive care, and early psychosocial stimulation for early childhood development.
  • Avail services on:
    • maternal immunizations including tetanus and diphtheria toxoid vaccine
    • assessment of risk for parasitism and provision of anti-helminthic medicines
  • If nutritionally-at-risk, pregnant women should be provided with dietary supplementation.
  • Give birth in a birthing facility assisted by trained health worker.


0-6 months (180 days)

  • Practice essential intrapartum and newborn care. Initiate breastfeeding within the first hour after birth.
  • Infants to undergo newborn screening and newborn hearing screening.
  • Exclusively breastfeed infants in the first six (6) months.
  • Provision of post-natal care for mother and child.
  • Provision of routine newborn case services including eye prophylaxis, Vitamin K supplementation, and immunizations.


6-23 months (550 days)

  • Timely introduction of safe, appropriate, and nutrient-dense quality complementary food at six (6) months with continued breastfeeding up to 2 years and beyond.
  • Dietary supplementation for undernourished children.
  • Regular check-up at the health center; micronutrient supplementation including micronutrient powder and routine immunizations.
  • Provision of anti-helminthic tablets for children 1 to 2 years old as appropriate.
  • Facilitate social and behavioral development of young children.

Conduct growth and development monitoring and promotion for children 0-2 years old. Identify and manage cases of moderate or severe acute malnutrition and treat and manage common childhood illnesses. Provide oral health services to pregnant mothers and children.

Counselling and lactation management support should be given to lactating mothers to encourage exclusive breastfeeding in the first 6 months and continued breastfeeding up to 2 years and beyond especially for mothers who will return to work. Nutritionally-at-risk lactating women must also be given dietary supplementation. Organize community-based mother support groups and peer counsellors. Provide lactation support in the workplace such as lactation stations and implementation of lactation breaks.

Families should have access to safe drinking water and sanitary toilet facilities. Provide counselling on handwashing, environmental sanitation, and personal hygiene. Counsel on and encourage utilization of reproductive health and family planning services. Provide social welfare support to families especially the nutritionally vulnerable households to improve access to health and nutrition services.

Scale up stunting-prevention activities. Improve nutrition of women of reproductive age and support optimal breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices. Ensure good nutrition in the First 1000 Days to prevent stunting – Malnutrisyon patuloy na labanan, First 1000 days tutukan!

Written by: NOII Theresa A. Rivas and NPC Milagros Elisa V. Federizo

References:

  • 2016 Nutrition Month Talking Points
  • Republic Act 11148 “Kalusugan at Nutrisyon ng Mag-Nanay Act”


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