Nurturing Foundations Webinar Series 2024
Supporting Health from Pregnancy Through A Child’s First Two Years
The Nurturing Foundations webinar series is designed to promote health from pregnancy through the first two years of a child’s life, raise awareness of existing disparities in maternal health, and provide education on maternal health to address these issues. This free online series is intended for outreach professionals, community health workers, health care providers, and public members interested in prenatal, postpartum, and early childhood health.
This series is presented by the University of Illinois Extension’s Integrated Health Disparities team in collaboration with Carle Illinois College of Medicine and Avicenna.
Signing up is easy:
- Sessions are free, and registration is required.
- Choose as many sessions within the series as you wish to attend.
- Complete the registration process.
- CEUs are available: CEUs are provided through the Continuing Education Institute of Illinois. Once registered for your desired sessions, please check your registration confirmation email for a link to purchase CEUs.
For more information or if you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this program, contact Elizabeth Sandoval at es6@illinois.edu. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet access needs.
All sessions are presented from Noon to 1 p.m., and topics include:
Eating Healthy During Pregnancy: What To Do When Eating for Two | February 8
Excessive gestational weight gain can have health implications for both the pregnant person and baby now and in the future. Learn the essentials to support a healthy and nutritious diet for individuals during pregnancy.
Disparities in Maternal Care: Good Care for All During Pregnancy | February 22
The United States has one of the highest maternal mortality rates among developed countries. High maternal mortality rates can be attributed to minority populations experiencing disparities in healthcare quality for maternal health services. Discover how to expand access to high-quality healthcare services to reduce disparities.
Breastfeeding in the First Six Months: Myths, Benefits, and Barriers | March 7
Only one in five infants are exclusively breastfed for the first six months. Breast milk is essential for adequate brain, physical, and immune system development. Any liquids or foods other than breastmilk or formula before six months of age can increase a baby’s risk of illness and even impact their future health. Learn about the myths, benefits, and barriers of breastfeeding during the first six months of infancy.
Responsive Care: Supporting Caregivers As They Care for Their Baby or Toddler | March 21
Less than half of U.S. parents receive paid leave to care for their newborns. Lack of adequate paid leave increases the risk of adverse health effects for infants and caregivers. Parental leave is essential for proper infant care and nourishment. Explore the benefits of supporting caregivers through adequate parental leave.
How Soon Is Too Soon for Solid Foods? The Right Foods Introduced to Babies at the Right Time | April 4
Nearly 40% of babies start solid foods too early. Starting solid foods too early or too late can impact your baby's health and growth. Learn when to introduce foods to babies and which foods to start with.
Guiding Little Palates to Healthy Eating: A Healthy and Nutritious Diet for Babies and Toddlers | April 18
Babies and toddlers can be picky, but a nutritious diet impacts their health and development and can shape their eating habits for the future. Explore the nutrition guidelines for babies and toddlers and practical tips for dealing with picky eaters.
The Importance of Water: Quenching Toddlers’ Thirst Healthily | May 2
Over half of toddlers consume at least one sugar-sweetened beverage daily. Drinking juice, sports drinks, soda, or other sweetened beverages increases a toddler’s calorie consumption without providing the essential nutrients they need. It puts them at risk for tooth decay and obesity. Learn what toddlers should drink to support a nutritious diet and healthy growth.
Nutrition Guidelines for Babies and Toddlers: Decoding Mixed Messages About How To Feed Young Children | May 16
Over half of parents receive mixed messages about what to feed their young children. That can be confusing! It is essential to provide parents and caregivers with the right nutritional information. Explore in this webinar helpful guidelines on nutrition for young children.
Putting Healthy Food on the Table: Addressing Food Access Challenges for Families With Young Children | May 30
One in five young children lives in a household that struggles to put enough nutritious food on the table. Access to nutritious foods is the foundation of promoting a healthy diet for young children. In this session, we will discuss the challenges associated with accessibility and how it can affect children's health.
Social Investment in Every Child: Securing the Future and Well-Being of All Babies and Toddlers | June 13
Over 25% of infants and toddlers live in poverty. Society must invest in the well-being of every baby and toddler today to secure a healthy future. Discover the role we all play in investing in the health of all children and how to help improve their future.