IYCN Maternal Nutrition Brief

The brief highlights the importance of maternal nutrition for both the mother's and child's health, and notes that despite its critical role, maternal nutrition has been severely neglected. The document presents findings from research conducted in nine countries, including Côte d'Ivoire, Ethiopia, Ghana, Haiti, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Nigeria, and Zambia. The research identifies key areas for improved programming on maternal nutrition, including the need for targeted counseling, integration of nutrition education into other programs, and support for key household members, such as grandmothers and fathers. The brief concludes by highlighting the critical need to continue emphasizing improving maternal nutrition and health in resource-poor settings.