The first 1,000 days of life are crucial to a person’s development and long-term well-being. During these early years, essential building blocks for language acquisition and social, cognitive, and emotional skills are established—skills that children will rely on for the rest of their lives. It is also the period when the brain experiences its most rapid growth: up to 80% of human brain functions are formed, and over a million new neural connections are created every second—at a pace that never repeats.
Aware of the importance of this phase and the critical role families play in raising children, Fundación Luksic will implement “Conversemos Mamá” in 2025, a support program for pregnant women and mothers of children up to two years old. The initiative seeks to ensure that children begin life with strong foundations by equipping mothers with practical knowledge and tools that strengthen their parenting techniques and foster the healthy development of their children.
“The early years are a unique opportunity to build strong foundations in a person’s life. Love, stimulation, and a safe environment make all the difference for future well-being. That’s why, through Let’s Talk, Mom, we want to support families by giving them tools that allow children to reach their full potential,” said María Fernanda Orellana, Director of the Infancy Area at Fundación Luksic.
The program primarily involves virtual group support via WhatsApp, guided by a trained facilitator. Mothers receive weekly information and content on parenting, a safe space to ask questions about their daily experiences, support for early detection of developmental or mental health concerns, practical skills workshops, and access to specialists such as pediatricians and gynecologists when needed.
An evidence-based program
Until 2024, Conversemos Mamá was developed by the Institute for Infant Neuroprotection (INPI), reaching over 2,000 mothers in the municipalities of Recoleta, Renca, La Pintana, El Monte, San Miguel, Quilicura, Huechuraba, Santiago, Valparaíso, Concepción, Puerto Montt, and the towns of Lago Ranco and Las Cascadas. In 2022, an impact evaluation found statistically significant results in child development and key protective factors such as breastfeeding, birth weight and height, maternal perception of support, access to information, and understanding of early childhood development.
In 2025, the initiative became part of Fundación Luksic’s newly created Infancy area, with the goal of expanding its reach. “This new area—and specifically the Let’s Talk, Mom program—reflects our commitment to fostering skills and competencies throughout the entire life cycle,” emphasized Orellana.
Soon, Fundación Luksic will launch the first national open call for pregnant women and mothers who wish to join the program. Details will be shared at www.fundacionluksic.cl.
