The early years

The first five years of your child’s life provide the foundation for their future health and well-being. Even before they are born, their development will be affected by what you eat, whether you smoke or drink alcohol, and whether you look after your own health.

As babies and young children, they will depend on you and their other carers to give them love and attention, to protect them from harm, to help them learn to walk and talk, and to encourage their friendships with other children.

Giving them healthy food and drink whilst they are young not only helps them grow up strong and healthy, but it can teach them good eating habits which will stay with them for life.

Children learn by copying their parents, so if you lead a healthy lifestyle, eat well and don’t smoke it's likely that your child will grow up to be the same.