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module menu icon The first 1,000 days

The first 1,000 days

The first 1,000 days of life – from conception to around the time of the child’s second birthday – is a critical time for growth and development.1-4 Research suggests that the nutrition a baby receives during this critical window may impact on their growth and development, and ultimate long-term health.3

Benefits of breastfeeding

The Department of Health recommends that babies are exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months of life.5 This is because breast milk contains all the nutrients the baby requires in amounts tailored to their individual needs, and because breastfeeding is proven to deliver many health benefits to mother and baby. At 6 months, mothers are advised to continue breastfeeding while introducing complementary foods to the baby’s diet.5

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