The first years of a child's life have a "profound effect" on their prospects, determining "brain development, (their) health, (their) happiness, (their) ability to learn in school, (their) well-being and even the amount of money (they) can earn as an adult"[1].
Parents are at the centre of this development, building a happy and healthy environment for their child to thrive. Laying the foundations of this environment therefore needs to begin before birth, with the maternity timeframe allowing for parents to prepare a positive environment and learn 'healthy habits' to ensure the success of those first few crucial years of development.
This summer, the Welsh Government released its annual "maternity and birth" statistics, covering topics such as mental health, smoking prevalence, and birth rates among different age groups.
The purpose of this blog is to analyse the latest round of statistics that have been released. These statistics paint an interesting picture of the current importance placed on the first 1,000 days by Welsh Government policies, and how policies can be enhanced both in the short, and longer term.
What do we mean by 'healthy habits'?
In this context, we are using the phrase 'healthy habits' to describe the formation of positive habits that benefit the development of young children in the first 1,000 days of childhood. This includes a healthy diet and the creation and maintenance of a healthy environment for growth and development.
Often, parents can lead the way in the formation of these healthy habits to benefit the development of their child in the first 1,000 days, ensuring they have the best start in life. Government policy, advice and support can go a long way in helping inform the formation and maintenance of healthy habits amongst individuals and families to benefit themselves and young children in the first 1,000 days of their development.
Firstly, it is important to note that the first 1,000 days is recognised by the Welsh Government as a key area of policy formation and development, being referenced countless times in legislation, and being made part of the five key priorities of the previous First Minister, Vaughan Gething. This is a hugely positive step taken by the Welsh Government, who's open and consultative approach to policy formation means that they rank highly amongst other Governments in terms of the support that is on offer for children and their families.
However, as is the nature of Government policy, there is always more that can be done, and this is reflected in the recent publication of the maternity statistics. In the document, the following stats are key to helping form our understanding:
- Smoking rates were highest among younger mothers and mothers from White and Mixed ethnic backgrounds.
- In 2023, 32% of pregnant women had a BMI of 30 or greater at their initial assessment, an increase of 0.8 percentage points from the previous year.
- Between 2016 and 2020, the percentage of women Carbon Monoxide (CO) monitored at initial assessment ranged between 20% and 30%; however, between 2021 and 2022 it dropped to between 1% and 2%. CO Monitoring resumed in 2023, and the percentage of women CO monitored at initial assessment rose to 17%.
- In 2023, 14% of pregnant women were recorded as smokers at their initial assessment.
Source:
So, what story do these statistics tell?
The main takeaway, in our opinion, is that whilst the Welsh Government have made positive strides in the direction of promoting the importance of the first 1,000 days, more needs to be done in terms of awareness raising about the importance of healthy environments for children's development. Much work has been compiled about the negative impact of smoke-filled environments on children, with issues such as bronchitis and pneumonia more likely to develop during the child's first year of life[1]. Whilst levels of smoking have fallen across Wales, with a 2021 estimate suggesting around 14% of the Welsh Population consumed cigarettes[2], this statistic being reflected in pregnant women and new mothers means suggests further awareness raising of the risks posed by smoking is required.
The development of healthy habits in young children is incredibly important for their development in the first 1,000 days. This includes the child's diet. Research by UNICEF suggests that young children exposed to processed foods is leading to higher rates of obesity as children get older[3]. With the cost-of-living crisis, many more young families across the UK are restricted with the quality of food they can provide sufficient to meet the needs of rapidly developing children[4], often resulting in cheaper, less healthy options being chosen by parents and carers.
To alleviate this issue, further support from the Welsh Government is required specifically to help young families deal with these cost-of-living related issues, in order to aid the development of children in the first 1,000 days. Awareness raising of healthy foods is one option for support, as well as financial incentives to funnel the purchasing of healthier options. Further disincentivising messaging is also required focusing on the negative impacts of nutrient – low calorie – high foods such as sugary snacks and drinks. This could include encouraging companies producing these items are restricted from marketing their products to children, this ensures healthy habits are formed from the outset, improving the health and quality of life for children.
In conclusion, the Welsh Government's recent publication of the maternity and birth statistics for 2023 tell us a very interesting story of how current policies focused towards the first 1,000 days are having their intended impact on children and families across Wales. Whilst the Welsh Government has made hugely positive strides in this area from the outset of devolution, further support is needed in order for the formation of healthy habits in the first 1,000 days which benefits the development of children in the early years, and beyond. A multi-agency approach could be further incorporated to help reach this goal with governmental organisations, third sector organisations and companies coming together sharing important advice to help families develop healthy habits.
The first 1,000 days of development sets the tempo for life. Therefore, ensuring that this crucial timeframe is supported by a healthy structure is paramount.
A clear and concise step that could be made to enhance the solidity of the first 1,000 days in policy formation is the statutory implementation of the Welsh Government's approach to Early Childhood Play, Learning, and Care (ECPLC) legislation. We feel the current ECPLC framework adopted in Wales, must be given statutory importance in legislation. The ECPLC in framework is an incredibly positive piece of guidance, paving the way for the introduction of progressive childcare policies long into the future.
However, ECPLC as it stands, exists only as secondary legislation, meaning it acts as guidance, not lawful procedure. Giving ECPLC primary status puts more of an emphasis on the importance of child development and will help iron out issues relating to healthy habit formation in the first 1,000 days of childhood, as outlined within this blog.
Blog by Leo Holmes, Head of Policy and Advocacy for Early Years Wales