Many years ago, pregnant women just did what was natural with little thought to nutrition or outside influences.  When prenatal vitamins were first suggested, I'm sure that women were thinking that it was a fad, a scam or a money making scheme.  Doctors didn't know about how folic acid impacted a developing baby.  Now we know how essential it is during pregnancy and what birth defects it can prevent.  However, I should point out that folic acid does not guarantee the prevention of birth defects but increases the odds they will prevented.

Today, taking a prenatal vitamin isn't given a second thought and is strongly encouraged for many reasons learned over the years.  Why wouldn't using a prenatal curriculum be the same?  We are learning more and more about the prenatal environment every day.

It is safe to assume that influencing a baby's cognitive development during fetal stages can be one such factor.  The realization that learning in the womb actually takes place and that learning begins before birth is giving way to prenatal education in mainstream ideas. 

The brain is a complex organ and scientists only know a fraction about it and its functions.  To push aside an idea is a little premature.  Using a prenatal curriculum during pregnancy has so many great benefits.  BabyPlus doesn't guarantee a genius baby, a perfect sleeper or a highly gifted child, but it does increase the odds of strengthening the cognitive blueprint.

BabyPlus is on YouTube, Facebook and Twitter...

The truth is, we have such a wonderful message about how your baby can learn in the womb - we have to get the word out about BabyPlus.  We know this to be true - 97% of parents who have used BabyPlus would recommend our curriculum to a friend.  We also know this to be true - social networking is the great way to keep in touch with friends and family near and far.

BabyPlus babies at birth and infancy display the following:  are more relaxed and alert at birth, more readily nurse, have increased ability to self-soothe, and are more interactive and responsive.  Later in life, BabyPlus children demonstrate: longer attention spans, earlier developmental milestones, improved school readiness, enhanced intellectual capabilities, and greater creativity and independence.


So, check us out at YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and read more of our blogs by clicking on the picture....

We have had an exciting morning here at the office!  We noticed a small dog in the street outside, so we walked around with him to see if anyone had lost a dog.  We were not able to find the owner, so the police department sent someone from animal control to pick up the dog.  Not ten minutes had passed when a lady and her three year old son came in to ask if we were the ones who found the dog.  We called the officer from animal control and he came straight back to "reunite" this little doggie and his family!  There were tears all around!  Happy ending!

During the time these events took place, we began talking about our pets.  We all have different types of pets, yet we all feel each one is truly a member of the family.  We know of many families who include their pets in holiday pictures.  In fact, our dog is so much a part of our family that we have to call her while we are on vacation!

Pets can provide more than companionship, though.  Studies have shown that pets can aid in healing as well.  Please click on the HealingWell.com picture to read an article about the benefits of pets and healing by Gail R. Mitchell.

We know your baby is going to be a welcome addition to your family.  Read tips about preparing your pet for a new baby by clicking on the BabyCenter picture.

To find out more about BabyPlus and how you will be able to benefit your baby for a lifetime of learning, please visit www.babyplus.com.

While pregnant, we try to eat well and take care of the fetal environment nutritiously........but we also must take care of the fetal environment during critical times in early cognitive development.  You don’t have to "give up" all the foods you love when you’re pregnant -  you just need make sure that most of your choices are healthy ones.  Try to mix things up a bit - that way you will be getting your nutrients without getting bored with your choices.  I love fruits and vegetables, so this was not hard for me! Good prenatal care is essential in the short term and the long term. 

Take advantage of the abundance of fruit and vegetable at the farmer's market or grocery aisles to add a fresh, seasonal variety to your menu!

Remember - everything you do now - while pregnant - will impact your child for a lifetime!

Click on the BabyPlus logo to go directly to our website to learn more about the impact you can have on your developing baby!

Is there that much of a difference between playing music and using BabyPlus?  Absolutely!

While appropriate for infants and young children, music is too complex for a developing baby.  BabyPlus simplifies the complexity of music and breaks it down to a "language" your baby can understand--a single beat.  By introducing BabyPlus, a similar beat relative to his or her environment, learning begins during the most important stages of fetal development.

There is no doubt that after your baby is born, music is a wonderful tool.  Start out simple and then once your baby is born, you can work up to building an appreciation for music.  

So what are you doing this July 4th?  Do you have any family traditions you do year after year?  My family does and I didn't even realize it.

My sweet husband has been arranging for the boys to visit grandparents in Missouri for a week.  I suggested since he was going to be in St Louis, which is halfway, they just go then to save travel time.  With a shocked and almost hurt look on his face, he said that it wasn't an option since the boys would be gone over 4th of July.  I was a little puzzled and he explained that the past few years, we have grilled and watched the fireworks across the street as a family.  The boys make their patriotic poke cake and wave sparklers with the neighborhood kids once it's dark.  Little did I know that it was such a big deal -- to all three of them!  I never realized I had created a yearly tradition that everyone looked forward to.

I've always felt guilty that I wasn't the mom who did it all.  But then I realized that over the years, there are a few "mom always..." memories that the boys can share with their children someday.  New Christmas Eve PJ's, first and last day of school books, and birthday dinners of their choosing are just a few events that have seemed to become tradition.  It makes me smile to think that I've created memories that they will carry with them and maybe even think Mom was a little cool.

Summer is the time to relax, unwind, and reconnect with your kids.  Summer is also a great time to catch up on reading, and to encourage your kids to read, too.

One idea is to check your local library. Many libraries have summer reading programs designed to get kids reading.  One benefit of using BabyPlus is that your baby will be a lifelong learner, and that means a lot of reading.  Schedule frequent trips to the library - even if there is not a reading program - so your little reader will have many opportunities to read, read, read!

My kids think the best things about summer reading are they get to choose what to read and reading is completely for pleasure.  Occasionally I might ask them to tell me about the book - but no quizzes or tests will occur!

Go to npr.org by clicking their logo, and see what books have made their list for summer reading with kids.

Also, please visit our website at www.babyplus.com to learn more about preparing your baby to be a lifelong learner - and reader!

BabyPlus babies are born to learn!

Every day that you use your BabyPlus Prenatal Education system (twice a day!) you are actually giving your baby a great start on life!

BabyPlus parents report that babies at birth and infancy more readily nurse, display an increased ability to self-soothe, are more interactive and responsive, and are more relaxed and alert at birth.

And, later in life, demonstrate earlier developmental milestones, improved school readiness, enhanced intellectual abilities, greater creativity and independence, and longer attention spans.

 

Please visit www.babyplus.com to learn more!

With the amount of information you can find on the internet these days, there are bound to be some details that are not exactly accurate.  You probably read blogs, Facebook pages, and Twitter updates and wonder:  Is this stuff really true?  Today we are going to correct some of those myths that you might have read in the past.  

Myth: Standing on your head after sex can increase your chances of becoming pregnant.

Truth: Some experts say that lying down after sex for 20 to 30 minutes can boost your chances of conception because it keeps the sperm inside you. However, standing on your head is NOT a proven aid in conception.

Myth: The shape and height of your belly can indicate your baby's gender.
Truth: This popular belief that women carry girls high and boys low just isn't true. The shape and height of your belly is determined by your muscle tone, uterus, and the position the baby is in. That's why someone may think you're having a boy because you're carrying low, when actually the baby just dropped lower into the pelvis because you're closer to delivery. 

Myth: Fetal heart rate can indicate your baby's sex.
Truth: A normal fetal heart rate is between 120 and 160 beats per minute (bpm), although some people think if it's faster (usually above the 140 bpm range) it's a girl and if it's slower it's a boy. There have been no studies that show that heart rate is a predictor for a baby's sex. Your baby's heart rate will probably differ from prenatal visit to prenatal visit anyway — depending on the age of the fetus and fetal development at the time of the visit.

Myth: The shape and fullness of your face during pregnancy can indicate your baby's gender.
Truth: Every woman gains weight differently during pregnancy, and every woman experiences different skin changes. If people tell you that because your face is round and rosy you're having a girl, you might want to think about getting an ultrasound instead!

For more articles on prenatal development and baby development after birth go to: http://www.babycenter.com.

I spoke with my brother-in-law and couldn't believe that Avery is two weeks old! That seems impossible! Both of them are in heaven, though. He said that she sleeps a good 4-1/2 hours minimum at night and only wakes to eat. Even then, she doesn't cry--she just grunts and moves her head around. He also said that the only drawback is that she's been such an easy baby (especially compared to their first) that my sister-in-law will probably want more soon! I'm going to stop in for a visit this weekend and say hi. It's been fun already seeing firsthand the benefits of using BabyPlus.

Biggest Loser star Alison Sweeney used BabyPlus with both of her pregnancies.  We were thrilled to be featured in the February, 2009 issue of Pregnancy Magazine as a co-sponsor of Alison Sweeney's Beverly Hills baby shower.

According to the article, Alison is a "big fan of the BabyPlus Prenatal Education System."  And, why wouldn't she be?  The idea of prenatal education is becoming more and more mainstream.  Learning in the womb is not new.  Impacting early brain development during your pregnancy is profoundly possible.  Using the mother's heartbeat sounds during the critical period in prenatal development will benefit your baby for a lifetime.  Alison Sweeney knows this - and now you do, too!

Click on the BabyPlus logo to go to our website to learn more about our patented prenatal learning curriculum.

Becoming a parent for the first time can be a little scary.  There is an overwhelming amount of information about what to do and what not to do.  It can be quite intimidating.  By stepping back and taking time to decide what you want can help you begin to narrow down what things to research further.  An example would be a baby's feeding schedule.  On one hand, some say to set the baby's schedule and feed them only at specific times.  On the other hand, some say to feed the baby when they act hungry and to not depend too much on the clock to dictate the schedule.  There is a lot of information to support both sides but each method may not fit everyone.  Think about what type of lifestyle you will lead after the baby is born and how feeding will fit into it.  Once you've decided what would be best for you, then research more into that method.  

Always remember there are no hard and fast rules to parenting so if something doesn't feel right or doesn't work, try something else.  Take cues from your baby and above all, try not to over think or get stressed.  You'll find that your baby is quite forgiving and won't hold it against you if you don't know everything!

The time to make the impact is now!

You will not have a chance again to impact your baby's development in such a profound way.  We know so much about the prenatal environment, so we must do everything we can to make sure our developing baby has all the opportunities available to her.

Most people believe pregnancy lasts a long time.  Well, I believe time flies when you are trying to create this wonderful little person.  We say many times a day that providing our beneficial curriculum of a mother's heartbeat during fetal development is crucial.

Take the time to visit our website and learn more about learning in the womb, why the mother's heartbeat sounds are significant, and early brain development.

Prenatal learning is NOT a new idea:

Confucius even suggested that the fetal environment can determine behavior back in 500 BCE

Go to www.babyplus.com to see the history of prenatal learning through the centuries by clicking our logo





Read the article by Lisa Jarrett, President, BabyPlus Prenatal, LLC and mother of seven, titled "Prenatal Learning – What Is It and When Does It Begin?" at obgyn.net by clicking their logo here.

It's the little things that make me smile.  My 3-year-old nephews live in Kansas City and it's tough to be away from them.  I've only seen them a handful of times but each time is better than the last.

Nieces and nephews are special but I have to give a little background of why these two are even more so.  Identical twins run rampant in my family and it was my sister who was blessed.  These little guys fought and fought for months against twin-to-twin syndrome, where one twin dominates another, and my sister's incompetent cervix.  In fact, there were times when we really thought the little guy wasn't going to win or he would be in the NICU for a long time, but he was victorious!  Early one morning, my sister's water broke and she barely made it to the hospital, which meant no time for pain meds!  (She gained a whole new respect from me because I know one even with pain medication is rough.)  They were born in February, perfectly healthy and went home two days later--on Valentine's Day.  I remember when I received the call.  I was driving and had to pull over because I was crying hard because I was so thankful.  They were my miracle babies!

So you see that these little guys hold a special place in my heart.  I talked  to them on the  phone the other night.  One sang ABC's to me and the other sang Tomorrow.  It put a grin on my face that I know lasted for hours.  Don't get me wrong, my other nieces and nephews are pretty cool but I know these two are destined for something special someday.


Take time today to slow down and notice the little things around you that make you smile. 

So, you have received your CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY

What an exciting time for you!  You have drawn up your plans.  You are working on one of the biggest projects of your life - maybe not even for the first time...  Having a baby is the ultimate DIY project!  You are both the architect and the project manager. 

Luckily you won't need a building permit for this project!  You might even be having a maximum occupancy load...

You are building your family.  You are laying the foundation.  You might be taking prenatal vitamins.  Another way to insure that the structure of this building project is solid is to use the BabyPlus Prenatal Education System.  As with any construction project, you want to use the best possible tools to complete your design.  BabyPlus is the tool to use while your baby's cognitive development is forming because as a baby begins to distinguish between the simple rhythmic sounds of BabyPlus from those of the mother's heartbeat, auditory learning begins. 

The BabyPlus sounds introduce your child to a sequential learning process, built upon the natural rhythms of their own environment.

Use BabyPlus while your baby is below-grade to insure that he or she has the best possible start when above-grade!  You will be sure to love the finish-grade!




Next project - building a crawl space!

BabyPlus - we know about cute babies!

While the primary focus of the BabyPlus Company is education, we also know this is a wonderful time in the life of parents-to-be.  You are about to receive this little bundle of joy - and personality. 

Several times a week we receive a wonderful email from a BabyPlus parent with a photo included.  We took an informal poll here in the office, and we think BabyPlus babies are cute!  I must disclose, however, that we think ALL babies are cute! (even when they need a diaper change!)

Click on the BabyPlus logo to go directly to our site to learn more about our curriculum of using the mother's heartbeat sounds while pregnant to give your cute baby the best start to a lifetime of learning!

"Smart babies - Does learning start in the womb?"

This is the title of an article written by Mary Fetzer and posted to pregnancy&newborn on the SheKnows website.

At BabyPlus we have always indicated that learning can begin in the womb using the one language a baby understands - the mother's heartbeat.  Recently, the idea of prenatal education has become more and more 'mainstream.'  With scientific studies and over 150,000+ BabyPlus babies all over the world - not to mention the many, many BabyPlus parents who contact us with great anecdotal evidence - we already know this to be true:  babies can (and do) learn in the womb.

Ms. Fetzer's article summarizes the recent study in Hungary where "the research suggests that spoken words are muffled by the amniotic fluid and music is too complex.  Instead, the developing baby is most able to recognize a simple beat. The findings suggest that babies recognize beats as early as three months before birth."

"The first stage of learning was thought to begin at birth and last until age 2. This latest research, however, confirms that learning – the baby’s ability to perceive and remember beats – actually begins in the womb." 



Click on the pregnancy&baby logo to read the entire article!

My new niece is one week old as of yesterday.  I know everyone says it, but where on earth did the time go?  It seems like such a short time ago I was bringing my 13 and 10 year old sons home from the hospital.  (I'm sounding more and more like my mother every day!)

I think we all agree that life tends to speed up as we get older.  There's really nothing we can do, so how do we work with this?  I think the most important thing is not to take each day--each moment--for granted.  I love the thought of being in the moment and being in the now.  I really try to remind myself of this but it's not easy!  Because before I know it, I will be watching my sons get married and have families of their own, and I'm not quite ready for that!

There are a lot of ideas to slow down with your family.  For example, once a week schedule time to sit as a family and play a board game.  My family loves board games and Santa  brings a couple new ones every year.  At least once a week, the TV gets shut off and we pop popcorn and play.  Another idea that I've been trying to incorporate is a cup of tea before bed.  I have trouble settling my mind at night and really have to focus on relaxing.  Babies thrive on bedtime routines so why should it not benefit us as adults? 


I think in the end finding the small joys and chilaxing, as my kids say, is worth the extra time and effort.  After a while, slowing down will become more habit and help create memories not only for your family but for you as a mom as well.

one of the best ways to share the idea of BabyPlus is to actually use a BabyPlus mom's own words:

"I began using BabyPlus when I was 16 weeks pregnant and I’m so glad I did!  From the moment my little boy, Jake, was born he was very alert. The first few hours of his life were spent being passed from one loving family member to the next and everyone of them commented on how alert he was.  He also took to breastfeeding very well and as early as 7 weeks he was sleeping for stretches of 5 to 6 hours at night. We were also amazed at how much control Jake had of his head in the early days and was turning his head from one side to another the first week home.  Jake is now 10 weeks old and is a great baby as he really only fusses when he is hungry and has definitely learned to ‘self soothe’ at an early age. And, we are loving all of his smiles and when he ‘talks’ to us."

I would highly recommend the product to anyone who is considering it and have recommended BabyPlus to many friends and family members!"

We have found that an amazing 97% of BabyPlus parents would recommend our product to a friend.  Go to www.babyplus.com to see reasons why!