First 1000 Days Initiative

2023 Trends

Making stress management a key part in our daily routine has a profound impact on our overall health and on the health of expectant mothers and babies in particular. Together with weight management, exercise and communication, it will promote the best outcome for pregnancies and early childhood development and have a positive influence of the life of both parents and baby.

TREND 1: Think of stress management as an integral part of your daily routine.

Think of stress management as an integral part of your daily routine. This is important for both men and women at least six months before pregnancy, during pregnancy, and especially in the first two years of a baby’s life. Negative stress can hinder the ability to conceive and impact fetal and early childhood development. Make wellness part of your everyday routine and integrate things like meditation, music, movement, sleep, touch, nature and a sense of purpose as part of your daily life. Routines become automated after a while, so make this part of your life to positively impact yours, your child’s, and the life of future generations. Mother’s management of stress is sensed by the baby and facilitates mental health.

TREND 2: Weight management

Weight management is not just important for the parents, it’s essential to set up the health and wellness of your child, and to diminish the chances of metabolic disorders in the offspring. Plan on regular exercise and healthy nutrition to support your conception, pregnancy, and post-partum. Good for parents. Good for baby.

TREND 3: Make exercise during pregnancy a big part of your life

Make exercise during pregnancy a big part of your life to prevent malformations and heart electrical disturbances. Check with your doctor to find out what is right for you.

Trend 4: In the first two years of life, communicate with your BABY.

In the first two years of life, communicate with your BABY.  Singing, storytelling, reading and talking to your baby will improve neurodevelopment and sensory development of the baby/child.