We asked “What if…” and you answered…

Last month – in honor of National Nutrition Month – 1,000 Days hosted its annual #Marchis4Nutrition campaign to amplify the critical role the world’s mothers play in nourishing the next generation. All month long, we envisioned a world in which moms have the support they need to give their children a healthy start to life. And throughout the month, our partners and our community answered the simple question – “What if…”

Here are just a few examples of what we heard:

What if moms had the support they need to reach their breastfeeding goals?
A world in which women receive support to breastfeed is a world with less illness and disease.

  • “They wouldn’t have to feed their children in bathroom stalls.”
    – 1,000 Days Facebook Community Member
  • “All of the wonderful benefits of breastfeeding could be achieved by the majority of moms, and the lifelong benefits to them and their children could be realized, reducing risk of chronic diseases.”
    – Lori Bechard, RDN
  • “They wouldn’t worry about keeping their jobs to feed their babies if they’re pumping.”
    – 1,000 Days Facebook Community Member
  • “I thought that formula was better than my own breast milk because I had very limited knowledge about the benefits of breastfeeding – and also because of marketing by the formula companies.”
    – Ms. La Min. Read more of her story about conquering breastfeeding myths in Myanmar.

What if moms had access to quality and comprehensive health care?
A world in which moms have access to quality and comprehensive healthcare is one where every child and mother survives and thrives.

  • “They wouldn’t be dying from childbirth.”
    – 1,000 Days Facebook Community Member
  • “During my pregnancy I attended the health center to receive prenatal care where I was provided with iron and folic acid which I consumed with full knowledge of its importance.”
    – Vitalina de Leon Santos. Read about her work bringing healthcare to her community.
  • “Fewer sick days for untreated conditions. More productivity. Fewer women in poverty because they’re able to get healthy so they are able to work.”
    – 1,000 Days Facebook Community Member

What if moms had access to affordable, safe and nutritious foods?
A world in which moms have access to affordable, safe and nutritious foods would result in healthier moms, healthier babies and better birth outcomes.

  • “The world would have a stronger, healthier and more innovative population.”
    – 1,000 Days Facebook Community Member
  • “Parents should be focused on getting the most nutritious food for their child. They should not have to worry about contaminants such as lead, inorganic arsenic, perchlorate and phthalates in their children’s food.”
    – Tom Neltner, Chemicals Policy Director for Environmental Defense Fund
  • “I feel very satisfied with the work I do, because thanks to the information and training I receive, I have been able to support other people, especially pregnant women, to eat properly.”
    – Leonor García Quino. Read about how she uses her community garden and midwife skills to help women in her town.

What if moms had the support of programs and policies to ensure their children get a healthy start?
A world in which moms have the support of policies and programs that prioritize the health and nutrition of moms and babies would create positive societal impacts.

  • “Kids would do better in school, at home and in life.”
    – 1,000 Days Facebook Community Member
  • “My cooking style has also changed because I have realized the importance of nutrition to children from the training.”
    – Aye Zar Zar Soe. Learn more about this mother in Myanmar’s journey discovering how to nourish herself and her children.
  • “At WIC, moms get pre-natal health care referrals and the breastfeeding support they need; babies and young children get pediatric and immunization referrals; parents and grandparents are empowered with nutrition tools and resources to make the healthy choices for their children.”
    – Douglas A. Greenaway, President & CEO, National WIC Association

What’s clear is that ALL moms need support to nourish themselves and their families in the first 1,000 days, because a world in which moms get the support they need is a world in which children and their families thrive and nations prosper. This is the world we are striving to help create. Thank YOU for joining us to make this a reality.