Supporting women through every stage of motherhood is crucial not only for their own health and well-being but also for that of future generations.
During pregnancy and in the early days after a child is born it’s all too easy for the mother’s well-being to be sidelined. A healthy and supported mother plays a vital role in promoting the overall well-being of the family, including their newborn. That’s why we’re committed to improving maternal health.
As head of Nestlé’s Nutrition business, I’m passionate about the contribution we can make to the key moments of a woman’s life. Through my work, I’m very aware of the challenges millions of women face globally. According to research published by the World Economic Forum and McKinsey Health Institute, women live longer than men yet they spend approximately 25% more of their lives in poor health than men. Closing the gender health gap could help 3.9 billion women live longer, healthier, higher-quality lives and boost the global economy by USD 1 trillion annually by 2040. Women are essential to healthy families, thriving communities, and strong economies – that's why we’re dedicated to supporting them as they embark on the motherhood journey.
Nurturing the mother, helping the whole family
For Nestlé, supporting women through every stage of the maternal journey is a core commitment. Indeed, it’s in our very DNA as the creation of Nestlé was based on a mission to save the lives of babies who were unable to be breastfed either due to health status of their mothers or because they were orphaned. Our founder Henri Nestlé and his wife Anna Clémentine were unable to have children themselves. But they were determined to do something to address the high death rate among infants in their community. Henri created a milk-based cereal, Farine Lactée Nestlé, which was easy to prepare and helped nourish babies unable to be breastfed. This helped save the lives of countless infants.
However, we know that it’s not only children who benefit from good early nutrition: the health of mothers and mothers-to-be is also vital. I’m a mother and I know how stressful being a new parent can be. The sleepless nights, the exhaustion and elation of new motherhood… Even though my children are now grown up, I still remember the emotional rollercoaster of pregnancy and the early days of motherhood.
Nutrition plays a critical role in supporting women’s health. What women eat before, during and after pregnancy can profoundly impact not only their health, but their children’s growth and development. Nestlé is focused on making each key milestone on the maternal journey a positive experience ensuring women, and their babies, reach their full potential for health and well-being through the power of nutrition.
How our scientific expertise is helping mothers
I’m privileged to lead a team that has achieved a big step forward in maternal health: the expansion and revitalization of Nestlé’s Materna brand. And this is not just about new products; it’s about a renewed commitment to supporting women through motherhood.
The revitalization of the brand has started in Brazil, where significant challenges exist in terms of maternal health and care. Our expanded Materna range features science-backed solutions, each tailored to the specific nutritional needs of women throughout their maternal journey from pre-conception to after birth, also supporting babies through a mother's lactation and well-being.
Empowering mothers
Materna isn’t just a product line; it’s a partner for women during this important time in their lives. We recognize that motherhood is filled with 'real cravings' for community, support and some real understanding. I’m proud of the launch of our global 'Real Cravings' campaign. This campaign goes beyond the typical narrative to acknowledge and address mothers’ deeper, often unspoken needs, from the desire for support in the workplace after giving birth to the craving for the freedom to do things their own way.
And this is how we connect with mothers. It’s holistic, and it acknowledges the key importance of providing accessible nutritional guidance and support. Maternal and women’s health in general have long been neglected areas. Collaboration is important. We need to bring together diverse perspectives and contributions from industry, the healthcare community and other stakeholders. This way, we’ll achieve a more comprehensive understanding of the challenges and most importantly, potential solutions. At Nestlé, our objective is to elevate this conversation, ensuring it remains a priority.
Ultimately, it’s about empowering women to thrive, and, in turn, nurturing healthier families and a brighter future for all. After all, it’s in our DNA.
