Dairy Checkoff Launches “First 1,000 Days” Campaign to Promote Early Brain Development
The Dairy Checkoff is focusing on the earliest and most crucial stage of human development with the launch of its “First 1,000 Days” campaign, a science-based initiative that underscores the essential role of dairy in brain growth and cognitive development from conception to a child’s second birthday.
This strategic effort aims to educate and engage modern parents across multiple channels—bringing dairy nutrition into the digital and healthcare spaces parents trust most.
“The first 1,000 days set the foundation for a lifetime of health,” said Lindsay Datlow, senior vice president of nutrition affairs at the farmer-founded National Dairy Council. “Dairy foods like milk, cheese, and yogurt provide seven of the 14 nutrients identified by the American Academy of Pediatrics as vital during this period.”
The campaign is designed as a surround-sound experience, delivering relevant and digestible content via social media, trusted parenting platforms, pediatric offices, WIC clinics, and digital search engines. It is backed by strong nutritional science and aims to form personal connections with parents during one of the most formative stages of their child’s life.
“It’s a multichannel strategy that positions dairy as essential for optimal brain growth and cognitive development from conception through a child’s second birthday.”
The National Dairy Council and Dairy Checkoff are leveraging both owned media, such as USDairy.com, and third-party media outlets to spread the campaign’s message. The campaign will provide parents with credible information about the nutritional value of dairy, including milk, cheese, and yogurt, which are rich in high-quality protein, calcium, and essential vitamins and minerals.
With this initiative, the dairy industry continues to reinforce its role in public health and nutrition, supporting families during the earliest—and most impactful—stages of life.