Why the first 1,000 days matter

The first 1,000 days in a child’s life are pivotal. From conception to their second birthday, they are constantly developing and growing, both physically and mentally. They are building up their immune system too. But they need the right nutrients to do all of these things.

If that happens, it supercharges the child’s chance of survival. How well or how poorly mums and children are nourished and cared for during this all important 1000 day period has a massive impact on a child’s ability to grow, learn and thrive.

Sadly, for new mums and their babies in some countries, getting nutritious food can be extremely challenging. Food is often hard to come by and what can be accessed isn’t nutritious enough for a pregnant woman or a baby. And with the climate crisis and increasing conflict pushing more families into hunger, we know that new mums and their babies are in danger.

You can help mothers and their babies through that crucial 1000 day period with a gift of just £3 a month.

How your gift can help:

Action Against Hunger work around the world to support pregnant women, new mums and their babies. Your monthly gift could help to:

• give a toddler nutrient-rich therapeutic food, to help them back from the brink of deadly malnutrition.
• pay for training and equipment, to help mums spot the signs of malnutrition themselves, so they can seek help for the children sooner.
• raise awareness of the importance of breastfeeding for babies under six months.
• allow our health workers to visit pregnant women, and do essential pre and post natal checks, so any issues can be spotted.
• put on cooking classes for mums where they can come together and learn how to prepare nutrient rich food for their young children.
• pay for mobile clinics, so our doctors and nurses can visit new mums in remote or hard to reach places.

Your gift will be used wherever the need is greatest.

What you’ll get in return:

When you sign up to give a monthly gift you’ll get:

• A special welcome from Dr Mustaf, one of our specialist doctor’s treating seriously ill babies in Somalia.
• Regular stories and updates from mums and babies around the world.
• The latest information, so you know how your donation is helping keep babies and mums happy and healthy.

Please start your monthly gift today, and help babies through their all-important first 1000 days.