Children development Health, Medicine, Nursing Research Paper (Research Paper Sample)

Running head: IMPORTANCEOF THE FIRST 2000 DAYS OF A CHILD LIFE1
IMPORTANCE OF THE FIRST 2000 DAYS OF A CHILD LIFE.
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IMPORTANCE OF THE FIRST 2000 DAYS OF CHILD LIFE 2
Discuss the importance of the first 2000 days of child life.
INTRODUCTION
The first 2000 days of child life is the period between which a child is born and when he or she joins kindergarten. This duration takes place from conception until a child is
five years. It is is a critical time for physical, cognitive, social and emotional health. What happens in the first 2000 days of life has been shown to have an impact throughout life of a child. Through effective and collaborative support and intervention during the first 2000 days, there is an opportunity to give children the best possible start in life. This intervention my include exclusive breast feeding for at least six months, adequate complementary feeding starting at about six months with continued breastfeeding for two years, adequate intake of vitamin A, iron and iodine among other essential nutrients and minerals.
Immediately after birth, a healthy baby instinctively searches for food, and ideally breastfeeding begins within the first hour. Mothers are encouraged and helped to have skin-to-skin contact with their babies and should be accommodated together. Colostrum should not be discarded or withheld from infants in favour of prelacteal feeds. Good positioning of the baby’s body and good attachment at the breast is important. Health workers should help and teach mothers on correct position and attachment to the breast. During this period breastfeeding is on demand since it establishes and maintains optimum lactation. The baby is allowed to drain the first breast before the second is offered to ensure that he or she receives optimal quantities of the energy-rich hind milk. There are practices that interfere with the infant’s desire or ability to breastfeed effectively, such as the provision of supplementary fluids
IMPORTANCE OF THE FIRST 2000 DAYS OF CHILD LIFE 3