Examples of policies to support nurturing care from preconception through adolescence
Preconception/prenatal | Newborn | Infancy | Preschool | Middle childhood | Adolescence | |
Enabling environments | Universal healthcare, ban on environmental toxins (eg, lead); free preschooling, primary and secondary schooling, child protection; safe water and sanitation; inclusive policies and services for people with disabilities | |||||
Health | Inclusive preventive and promotive quality healthcare for children and adolescents | |||||
Prenatal services, smoking, drug use cessation | Baby-friendly hospital initiative | Immunisation | Well-child evaluations | Promotion of physical activity | Access to sexual and reproductive services | |
Nutrition | Equitable access to safe, nutritious and affordable foods | |||||
Healthy diet, micronutrients, food assistance | Exclusive breastfeeding | Exclusive breastfeeding, complementary feeding, micronutrients | Food assistance, healthy school meals | Food assistance, healthy school meals | Food assistance, healthy school meals | |
Security and safety | Protection for children and adolescents | |||||
Violence prevention | Clean water, air, and sanitation | Clean water, air, and sanitation | Injury prevention | Bullying prevention | Prevention of child marriage | |
Learning | Free and inclusive education | |||||
Prenatal care | Pregnancy and birth preparation | Parental education and quality care | Quality care, education and parental support | Quality instruction and parental engagement | Vocational and life skills training | |
Responsive relationships | Care for children and adolescents | |||||
Prevent gender-based violence | Promote skin-to-skin contact | Parent–infant attachment support | Prevent harsh punishment | Promote prosocial peer relations | Partnership and leadership opportunities |