Inadequate maternal nutrition is likely to undermine the potential impact of IYCF improvements made in the Alive & Thrive (A&T) first phase because it is linked to poor fetal growth leading to small-for-gestational age and pre-term newborns. These babies do not respond to growth promoting feeding practices as well as normal newborns do (WHO Healthy Growth project). In a study of 16,290 singleton infants born in rural Bangladesh from 2004 to 2007, more than 50% were born with low birth-weight. Low birth-weight is a risk factor for neonatal deaths, estimated to be 37 per 1,000 live births in Bangladesh. Factors associated with low birth-weight include young maternal age, poor pre-pregnant nutritional status, short birth intervals, poor maternal dietary intake (quality, quantity, and diversity), and inadequate pregnancy weight gain. Better maternal nutrition will improve maternal and newborn outcomes and facilitate achievement of a continuum of good nutrition.