DNS300 - Maternal and Infant Nutrition in the First 1,000 Days

Course Description

To support a woman during the “first 1,000 days,” namely from conception to 2 years postpartum, it is important to be able to describe to her the diet, physical activity, and infant feeding practices that will best support her health and well-being and that of her infant. It is also important to understand the scientific rationale behind recommended practices and how a woman might best work toward meeting those recommendations. This course, developed by faculty from Cornell University's Division of Nutritional Sciences in partnership with Danone, will prepare professionals to speak knowledgeably and with confidence to women and answer questions.

The course is presented in 5 modules: 1) The First 1,000 Days, 2) Diet and Physical Activity during Pregnancy, 3) Diet and Physical Activity during Lactation, 4) Human Milk Production and Feeding, and 5) Providing Solid Foods. Each module contains an introduction followed by two sections of content. Each section is followed by a graded quiz. Four of the modules conclude with a case scenario so learners can test their ability to apply the information provided in that module.

Faculty Author

Kathleen Rasmussen, ScD, RD

Julia Felice, PhD

Christina Stark, MS, RD, CDN

Erica Bender, CNM, NP-Ob/Gyn

Cornell University, Division of Nutritional Sciences

Benefits to the Learner

After completing this training, learners should be able to:

• Describe the concept of the “first 1,000 days” for both mothers and their young children on short- and long-term outcomes.

• Describe diet and physical activity recommendations for pregnant women as well as common diet- and activity-related issues experienced by pregnant women and strategies to address those issues.

• Describe diet and physical activity recommendations for lactating women as well as common diet- and activity-related issues experienced by lactating women and strategies to address those issues.

• Describe recommendations for producing and feeding human milk as well as common diet- and activity-related issues related to producing and feeding human milk and strategies to address those issues.

• Describe recommendations for providing solid foods to infants and children up to 2 years old as well as common solid foods-related issues and strategies to address those issues.

• Demonstrate the relevance and application of the knowledge gained and distinguish among issues reported by women that are manageable from those that should be referred to other professionals for management.

Target Audience