The mother-child dyad is a special, if not complex, relationship. Mothers are the first source of nutrition for their unborn child through the early years of development. It is no wonder that interventions and programs aiming to improve child nutrition and development outcomes have tended to focus solely on the mother. However, research has shown the tremendous influence that family members have on both pregnant and lactating mothers and by extension, the child. We know that family members, whether they are fathers, grandparents, siblings, or extended family, influence many decisions and actions, from income and labor to food purchasing and household food allocation, all of which contribute to key feeding practices and nutrition outcomes. 

Unintended Consequences of Focusing Only on Mom

The changes that programs often recommend to mothers during health care visits, community activities, or through mass media messages aren’t solely up to mothers. Existing social norms that are deeply embedded and culturally accepted can lead to unintended consequences if the mother goes about it alone. For example, in many cultures meat is primarily considered for the men in the family. When programs recommend that mothers should increase their intake of animal-source foods, she could be seen as greedy or neglectful of her family for eating meat, which can lead to blaming, shaming, and even gender-based violence. Engaging family members, including fathers, and grandparents, can help achieve safe progress towards improved nutrition for mothers and children, and by extension their whole family.