Recent scientific research indicates that a minority of a baby’s health is determined by the genes and the majority is influenced by the environment in early life, which you can positively influence, of which nutrition is an essential part.
The right nutrition from pre-conception, pregnancy, infancy and through to toddlerhood, can have a profound impact on a child’s development and long-term health.
Nutrition is one of the most easily modified environmental factors during early childhood and has been shown to strongly influence growth and development, as well as reduce the risk of non-communicable diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease and allergy in later life.
This website provides information on the role of good early life nutrition as well as scientific recommendations from medical experts for maximising foetal and infant development which may help optimise health throughout childhood and into adult life.
Founded on evidence-based research on early life nutrition, these recommendations have been developed by a panel of expert physicians and scientists from across Australia and New Zealand.
Interact with the early life nutrition infographic and download the Early Life Nutrition Report Paper and Nurturing Your Child’s Future Health.
1. Gluckman P et al. Genome Med 2010 Feb 24; 2(2):14.
2. Ali. O. WJD 2013; 4(4):114–123.
3. Lillycrop. K Proc Nutr Soc 2011; 70:64–72.
4. Voight B et al. Nat Gen 2010; 42:579–589.
5. Hebebrand J et al. Obes Facts 2010; 3:294–303.
6. Waterland R et al. Ann Rev Nutr 2007; 27:363–388.
†. Non communicable diseases
Reduce excess weight for both men and women
Follow a healthy diet and lifestyle and cease smoking
Ensure any existing health conditions are being treated and well managed
Supplement if planning to conceive
Supplement at least a month before trying to conceive
Maintain a healthy weight and monitor pregnancy weight gain
Continue a healthy diet and lifestyle as well as excluding smoking and alcohol
Ensure any existing health conditions are being treated and well managed
Continue to supplement
Supplement during first trimester
Eat foods rich in
Omega-3 fatty acids
Consume appropriate levels of key vitamins and minerals for foetal growth and development
Ensure adequate intake of protein and carbohydrates & moderate fat intake
No need to avoid potential allergenic foods, unless a known allergy exists
Consume foods that contain prebiotics and probiotics
Breast feed for as long as possible
Supplement for the duration of breast feeding (for mother)
Ensure adequate energy intake while breast feeding (for mother)
No need to avoid potential allergenic foods, unless a known allergy exists (for mother)
Start solids between 4 - 6 months while continuing to breast feed & include potential allergenic foods early
Maintain breast milk as main source of fluid for as long as possible, avoid cows’ milk
Feed iron rich foods
Expand variety of tastes & textures
When introducing solids avoid honey, added salt, sugar and excess saturated fat
Water & pasteurised full cream cows’ milk are recommended drinks
Limit sugar sweetened and fruit juice drinks
Accommodate small stomachs and offer small frequent meals
Limit foods that are poor in nutrients, especially those that contain excess saturated fats, sugar and salt
Demonstrate positive family unit eating behaviours – including during periods of pickiness
For any enquiries email us at earlylifenutrition@danone.com
