Abstract
Aim: To explore the mechanisms involved in influencing power in the intrauterine period, lactation until the second year of life in the development and health of children. Methods: a literature search was conducted on the theme through the search in books and articles in electronic databases PubMed, Scielo and Bireme with national and international studies, from the year 2011 and some research developed in previous periods when assessed their relevance. Results: The first thousand days can be divided into two main periods: 270 days of gestation, and 730 days regarding the first two years of life. Nutrition during pregnancy is critical to a good gestational course. Breastfeeding is one of the earliest nutritional experiences of newborns, continuing the nutrition started in intrauterine life. There is strong evidence in the literature of the role of breastfeeding against obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension and cardiovascular disease, as well as its various components acting in defense of the infant's body in inflammatory processes. Moreover, the way in which complementary feeding is initiated can greatly influence in eating habits that will last throughout life. Therefore, it reinforces the adoption of healthy dietary practices in this period. Conclusions: Proper nutrition in the first thousand days of life is fundamental and can impact profoundly on the development and the child's metabolic programming and even future generations.