News

Dairy nutrition important for babies, moms.

The dairy checkoff is highlighting the benefits of dairy consumption for mothers and babies. 

A new campaign led by the dairy checkoff and MilkPEP is designed to elevate awareness and understanding of dairy’s contributions to the development of brain cognition during the first 1,000 days of life, encompassing pregnancy through the child’s second birthday.

Checkoff organizations Dairy Management Inc. (DMI), National Dairy Council (NDC), Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy, U.S. Dairy Export Council, Newtrient, GENYOUth and MilkPEP have partnered to elevate public awareness and understanding of dairy’s contributions to a baby’s first 1,000 days.

Megan Maisano with the National Dairy Council says the American Academy of Pediatrics identified 14 essential nutrients for early brain development, and dairy provides seven of them.  Maisano says good nutrition during pregnancy, lactation and early childhood plays a foundational role, and  dairy is an affordable, accessible food group that contributes important nutrients, especially in a child’s early years.

Maisano is confident this message will resonate with health professionals and consumers given its solid scientific foundation.