Just a quick up-date from your "Feet on The Street".  I am in Atlanta at a Nurses Conference and I'm excited to share a quick story with you.  I came to this conference last year and met a wonderful woman whose daughter was pregnant with twins.  This soon-to-be grandmother gave her daughter the BabyPlus Prenatal Education System to use, starting in her 32nd week of pregnancy.  With twins, the mother reported lots of activity, with both babies moving and jostling for position throughout the day.  But she reported that when she would introduce BabyPlus, the babies would each try to position themselves close to the BabyPlus, and settle right down for their lesson.  When the twins were born, they were both very relaxed, with hands and eyes open.  Well, the twins are now 11 months old and their grandmother has reported some wonderful outcomes for her grandchildren. She stated that the pediatrician has been confirming at well baby visits that these twins are indeed advanced.  They are achieving their pediatric milestones ahead of their peers.  Mother reports that the twins were very good sleepers from the beginning.  The grandmother in this case is so pleased with the BabyPlus Prenatal Learning System that she has expressed interest in becoming a distributor for BabyPlus in Nigeria. 

This is just another example of how the BabyPlus Prenatal Education System enhances prenatal care. Infant development is enhanced by simply using BabyPlus and the results speak for themselves.

Visit our website at www.babyplus.com to learn how easy it is to enhance your childs cognitive development!

Just a quick update from your "Feet on the Street".  I was visiting my "high risk pregnancy" friend yesterday and saw something I've NEVER seen before.  She said her baby was very active all the time, but yesterday I saw for myself just what she meant.  We were sitting on her couch talking, and suddenly her dress started moving and flapping around.  At first, I thought it was just her moving, but I saw that her abdomen would push out in several different directions at the same time and it became very obvious that it was actually the baby.  We started laughing about it, and the baby really started moving. If I didn't know that she was in her third trimester, I would have thought she had a puppy under her dress. She said he moved like that a lot, and that she would used BabyPlus when she needed a rest.  She stated that BabyPlus has actually started putting the baby to sleep, so when he becomes so active as to cause her pain, she would bring out BabyPlus.

My friend and I have talked about the benefits of prenatal stimulation, so I'm very happy that she can use the BabyPlus Prenatal Education System to stimulate her prenatal child's development.  Lucky for her, she can also use it to enhance his sleeping schedule as well.

I know my friend will have a smart baby, but I wonder if she's ready for a future Olympic gymnast?

I'll keep you posted!!!

Your "Feet on the Street".   

OK you Dads-To-Be,  Listen up!  You guys are going to take really good care of the Mom-To-Be in your life. Remember men, she's the pregnant one, not you. She needs the TLC and you are just the one to give it to her.

Last time we talked about all the things that you have to investigate and learn about when you are having a baby. Fetal development, baby stimulation and how to have a smart baby are just a few. Not to mention all the infant sleeping schedules, breast feeding schedules and even something called prenatal learning!

Well let me tell you all that is fine and good, but if your Mom-To-Be is not happy, that's not good for anyone. So let's try to help her feel comfortable. It will result in a happier and healthier baby and mom.

Previously I explained how to give your lady a back massage, well how does a foot massage sound to you? I'll  tell you what, it will sound like heaven to her! No doubt about it. I'm going to give you a few pointer about foot massage.


Fill a large tub with warm water, and then add Epsom salts and eucalyptus oil. Place the tub on a towel in front of a comfortable chair or sofa. Have your Mom-To-Be sit down and place her feet in the tub and soak for 5-10 minutes. Then dry her feet with a soft fluffy towel.

Do basic stretches with the foot; pushing the top of the foot away from you and pulling the top toward you.

Warm up the foot by rubbing it all over and appling lotion or oil in a sweeping motion. Include the top, heel and arch. Gliding strokes work best. It is important to rub the entire foot first to warm it up. If you start to apply deep pressure to the foot before warming it up, there is a greater risk of causing injury.





Cup the foot with your hands and squeeze with the appropriate amount of pressure. You may move up and down as you are holding the foot.





Wrap your hand around the top of the foot, and then apply pressure with your fist to the underside of the foot. You can apply pressure by pushing in and out or in a circular motion.





Using your thumb and a moderate amount of pressure, start at the top of the foot on each side. Now glide toward the bottom along the sides of the foot. There are tendons that run along each side of the foot, these can be good to stretch.





Wrapping your hands around the foot from the front, squeeze firmly and pull upward alternating hands as you pull upward.






Rotate each toe starting the largest working to the smallest.




Finish giving a foot massage with a few sweeping strokes then gently rest your hands on her feet.

Trust me, she will love it!

It's not very often that you get a hug at work.  But that is exactly what I got at a recent conference I attended. A nurse walked into my booth, wrapped her arms around me, and said "Thank you for BabyPlus". (I wished I could take credit for it, but I told her "your welcome" anyway.)  She proceeded to tell me that I had given her a BabyPlus Prenatal Education System at a conference we had both attended.  Her baby was now four months old, and she credited BabyPlus with her child's very calm demeanor, his very contented nature, and that he was a very good sleeper, but she said the most noticible thing about her baby was that he nursed like a pro from the very beginning. (As a mother of two, I know what a struggle breast feeding can be.)  I was happy to tell her that many first time parents who used the BabyPlus Prenatal Education System, have reported the same thing to lactation consultants. I'm excited to hear from this wonderful mother in the future about her childs developments.

See you next time!
From Your "Feet on the Street"

I sometimes hear an expectant mother say "I don't know when I would find the time to use BabyPlus". In my travels, I've heard some interesting suggestions from mothers who have overcome this.   One second time mother said she would use BabyPlus to lull herself and her two year old to sleep at naptime.  She would simply lie down, position BabyPlus, and cuddle up with her two year old. She would let the soft, rhythmic sounds lull her and her son to sleep.  Now, not only is everyone getting the rest they need, the prenatal baby is receiving the beneficial stimulation that BabyPlus provides. Having a smart baby is as easy as taking a nap! 

See you next time,
from your "Feet on the Street"

BabyPlus Relaxes Prenatal Baby

I got a call from an expectant friend of mine who is experiencing a high-risk pregnancy.  She is 32 weeks pregnant and had been using BabyPlus regularly.  As her pregnancy progressed, she was put on bed rest, and then put on a Trabutaline pump, and had to wear a heart monitor for 2 hours a day.  With all that she was occupied with, she was frustrated and quit using BabyPlus.  For the next two weeks she said the baby had started getting really active, moving constantly, kicking very hard, and it became quite uncomfortable for her.  She thought back to BabyPlus, and figured maybe it might soothe the baby and maybe she could get some rest.  She started back with BabyPlus, and after a few days, she called me to say that BabyPlus had an amazing effect on the baby.  She said she went back to her schedule, using BabyPlus when she would lay down for a nap, and she said the baby fell asleep right away.  She said not only would he fall asleep, but said he was much more calm for the rest of the day, his kicking and movements became more playful and not as aggressive.  She credits BabyPlus.  Link to our website for more information about the BabyPlus Prenatal Education System. http://www.babyplus.com/

Watch for future information from your “Feet on the Street”. 

 Early brain development during pregnancy is a topic that is getting quite a bit of attention. This does not exactly guarantee a highly academic baby, but it does suggest that a baby can be more calm, can nurse more readily and later in life be more school ready. These babies have an improved sleeping schedule. There infant growth assessments are better. Watch the video about a family who used the BabyPlus Prenatal Education System and hear what they have to say.

Expectant mothers and pregnancy are our specialty here at BabyPlus!  Having a smart baby is great, but having a great infant sleeping schedule is (at times!) just as important

Here at the BabyPlus Company we know the prenatal development facts.  We know the importance of infant development.  We know the womb is NOT a "soundproof booth."  We know that the mother's heartbeat sounds are the only sounds a developing baby truly recognizes.

The ideas of prenatal care and a prenatal care curriculum seem to be ever growing.  The articles on prenatal development are many.  What is not disputed is the idea of baby development and baby stimulation after birth.  The amazing information for first-time parents is that learning actually begins IN THE WOMB.  We already know! 

We have often been asked by women researching expectant mothers and pregnancy whether the BabyPlus Education Prenatal System will assist in the cognitive development of twins and triplets.  The answer to this is "yes".  We have had many mothers of twins and triplets use BabyPlus.  They have all been pleased with the results and have seen the same benefits  (enhanced infant sleeping schedule, proficiency in breast feeding, self soothing ability and improved school readiness) as the mothers of single babies.

Frequently, twins and triplets are born early and the mothers of babies who were not full term have seen amazing results.  We have had mothers of premature babies report that their babies are reaching milestones based on their birth age as opposed to their gestational age.  They have also reported shorter than average hospital stays as compared to other premature babies.

Kate White, Director of HR and Operations at the Jarrett Fertility Group writes:
"Our 15 year old fraternal twin daughters, Mary Ann and Christine, were born 5 weeks premature and have thrived since birth.  They both achieved every infant and toddler milestone on time or early.  They were both early proficient readers- before the start of kindergarten.  Their learning skills and academic strengths, kindergarten through 8th grade, were superlative.  Today, they are both High Honor students in their freshman class and are both recipients of a monetary academic scholarships based on their freshman placement tests.  In addition to academics, they are both accomplished in music (singing and piano) and are both above average athletes.  They (and their little sister Julia, also a BabyPlus beneficiary) are emotionally mature for their age.  Julia has also exhibited the same developmental attributes as the twins.  We sincerely believe that the early use of the BabyPlus curriculum helped their development and will continue to help them throughout life."

What are the most critical times in child development? Answer…… all times. I must preface with an however, the earlier the start, the better. In your first pregnancy first-time parents are never really sure what to do, and not have had the exposure as to whether or not there will be a proper infant sleeping schedule that develops down the road, or if they are going to be exhausted as first time parents.
 There are so many prenatal development facts to consider, which can be overwhelming. Are there really benefits of infant stimulation, is breast feeding beneficial to having a smart baby and infant development. As days go by and the week by week pregnancy progresses, it all begins to make sense, and then the special day comes when the little miracle is brought into this world.
Following the birth, after that day by day pregnancy is finally done, you can then begin to access what the critical times in child development are and if  you did in fact do some of the correct things during the critical period in Prenatal development. So, baby stimulation and baby development after birth may all tie directly in, but most likely begins during those critical periods in prenatal development.

Expectant mothers and overwhelmed dads, the BabyPlus prenatal care curriculum will help tremendously. 

I was at the pediatrician's office on Saturday morning, and I was thrilled to see a BabyPlus baby there.  She is actually the daughter of one of the pediatricians in the practice, and the nurses raved and raved about what a wonderful baby she is.  They see first-hand the benefits of infant stimulation.  Another doctor in the practice has decided to use it based on seeing this baby!  Little BabyPlus Baby was smiling, laughing, and cooing the entire time I was there.  According to the nurses, she entertains herself for long periods of time in her bouncy seat.  The doctors, nurse practitioner, and nurses said they recommend BabyPlus to the patients in the practice.  My pediatrician was thrilled with her infant sleeping schedule, too.  BabyPlus babies self-soothe, so great sleeping habits are already formed.  Another confirmation of what we strongly believe here at BabyPlus!

BabyPlus - not a new idea - the Chinese have been doing it for thousands of years!

We have often been asked whether the BabyPlus curriculum is a new invention.  The research behind BabyPlus was actually done over twenty years ago.  However, the concept of prenatal learning is quite old.  It has its roots in ancient Chinese culture. The Chinese did not know the scientific reasons why what they called "Taikyo" helped their infants' brain development.  But they did think that this practice was helpful during the period of prenatal development.  The following is a more scientific explanation of why auditory stimulation is important during the critical period in prenatal development.

The ancient Chinese used to perform what they called Taikyo during pregnancy.  In essence, Taikyo involved talking and singing to their unborn children and patting on their expectant tummies. All of these practices are differing forms of auditory stimulation for the prenatal child. Expectant parents believed that Taikyo would result in having a smarter baby and provide them with an intellectual and emotional head-start.  As in so many things, it now seems that the ancient Chinese knew something it would take modern science thousands of years to prove.  Parents of all cultures have talked, sung, and played music to their unborn children for centuries. For most, this has been little more than a way to bond with their child before they are born.  But science is now discovering that there are many benefits of infant stimulation. 

According to Fred J. Schwartz, M.D., "a significant amount of learning takes place in the uterus. There is no doubt that intrauterine auditory stimuli contribute a large part of this environment.  Evidence points to the fact that learning extends back into the prenatal period, and that the sounds and rhythms in the womb may contain information important to early brain development during pregnancy.  The newborn can differentiate a recording of his own mother's prenatal womb sounds from a recording of another mother." Dr. Schwartz continues, "There is a vast amount of potential information available to the fetus that can be given in the playing of just one musical note or in singing or talking a single syllable.   The content of this sound is full of information and emotion.  These communicative processes which take place before and after birth contribute to the promotion of the child's physical development, behavioral characteristics, and level of intelligence.

The (connections) in the prenatal brain, as well as the infant brain, undergo learning dependant reorganization.  This process involves synaptic pruning, the regression of neural circuits, as well as the synaptic sprouting (development of new connections) of the developing brain.”  In the normal course of prenatal events, there is a substantial reduction in neurons and synaptic connections that occurs during the last trimester as well as a more modest reduction during childhood.  This is consistent with the observation of psychologists that infants and children may have enhanced behavioral abilities that diminish later in life.  Since fetal hearing is probably the major component of this learning dependent synaptic pruning and sprouting, the prenatal child is participating in a 2nd and 3rd trimester auditory amphitheater that is perhaps more important than any other classroom."

If an increased number of neurons (brain cells) and their beginning connections (axons and dendrites) are engaged during their most plastic and receptive developmental stage - the period of prenatal development - greater strength in the structure will result, much like exercising a muscle.  The goal of prenatal stimulation is to withstand the normal process by which 75-90% of all fetal brain cells atrophy (die) before birth.  No more brain cells are ever added - once a cell atrophies it is gone forever and all the active brain cells a person will ever have are present at birth.  By reducing fetal brain cell death, prenatal stimulation results in infants being born with enhanced mental architecture - a greater amount of brain material producing brain waves that function at a significantly more mature rate. Throughout life, this early advantage means the child will be better able to absorb and appreciate far more of its environment than a child who did not receive this advantage.

Dr. Marian Diamond has demonstrated that the offspring of rats reared in an enriched prenatal environment perform significantly better than other pups.  She has also shown that the cortex of the brain is thicker in these animals than in those without prenatal enrichment.
 
"Your baby's world inside the womb prepares her for life outside by providing a wide range of experiences that are crucial to her cognitive and sensory development.  During the last trimester, she's eavesdropping on your conversations, discerning the differences between male and female voices, and monitoring your moods.  In fact, during the final months, most of your baby's movements - as well as increases in her heart rate - are in response to specific noises, touches, changes in light, and other sensations.  At 32 weeks, an unborn baby will remember a piece of music that she hears and will be able to recognize it after birth.  In fact, after listening to this tune for some time in the womb, your baby will start "keeping the beat" by moving her body in sync with the music."

"It's exactly what we're talking about, says Rob Reiner (actor, director, and founder of the I Am Your Child Foundation), noting the now-or-never importance of nurturing from the earliest times.  It's no more possible to make up for lost opportunities in early brain development than to take a 21-year-old whose growth has been stunted by malnutrition and to expect by giving him a wonderfully nutritious diet from then on to have him become a strapping 6-footer.  Electrical connections get made in the brain during these early periods that don't get made later on.  As far as anybody knows, there's no way to fix it if it's not done at the beginning."

There are a number of systems and approaches available for prenatal auditory enrichment, ranging from classical music to the prenatal curriculum developed by Dr. Brent Logan, the modern day pioneer in this field.  Dr. Logan's BabyPlus Prenatal Education System is clearly the most developmentally appropriate, scientifically advanced and well-studied approach.  Dr. Logan's research has demonstrated the extraordinary postnatal benefits of the BabyPlus curriculum:  infants are born more alert and calm; they have earlier parental voice recognition and are strong at self-soothing leading to development of better early infant sleeping schedules; these children are proficient at early breast feeding, have longer attention spans and reach developmental milestones at younger ages as measured by various infant growth assessment tests (CLAMS and Vineland Social Maturity Scale). He has also shown that these infants demonstrate improved stress management and most profoundly, enjoy improved school readiness and stronger learning proficiency later in life. Further information about the benefits of prenatal auditory enrichment is available in the book Super Baby: Boost Your Baby's Potential from Conception to Year One by Sarah Brewer, M.D. (Thorsons, London), or on the web site www.babyplus.com.

A conscientious expectant mother today is certain to provide the proper nutritional environment for her developing child during the prenatal months. With her child’s long term physical development in mind, a responsible mother takes a prenatal vitamin and makes conscientious dietary choices. Similarly, the foundation for a child’s long-term brain development is being laid during these very same months. It now seems that a child’s long-term cognitive and learning skills can indeed be strengthened by certain safe, developmentally appropriate sounds.  The optimization of a child’s earliest environment actually encompasses not the “0 to 3” years we frequently read about, but truly “prenatal to 3” years of age.

This world we live in, and more importantly the world that our children will navigate, is becoming more complex and demanding.  As a society, we are obligated to strengthen our children for the future.  The best gift we as parents can individually bestow to our children is improved early school readiness and strong learning skills for their lifetime. It is time to revisit Taikyo.  

I am the Director of Development at the BabyPlus Company and working here is so much fun. I meet the most amazing parents and babies. The other day I was sent to New York to interview and video a BabyPlus family. Mom used the BabyPlus Prenatal Education System for all 3 of her children. At first they were skeptical about the benefits of infant stimulation. Their week by week pregnancy was filled with hope and anticipation about the benefits of learning in the womb. but with the birth of their first child all they hoped for came true. Their little girl's infant growth assessments were very high and her infant sleeping schedule was all a parent could hope for. Mom says breast feeding was a breeze. The infant development of all 3 of their children was the same. Mom and Dad are so glad that they were able to  something for their children during the most critical period in prenatal development.

But the most amazing part of this story is that dad was a New York police officer. He was at work on the morning of 9/11 and was just being dispatched down to Manhattan when the call came to his precinct that his wife was in labor. Now this was their first pregnancy and his Sargent of course told him to go to the hospital. They lost many friends that day, but they also experienced the one of the most wonderful days of their lives,the birth of their first child. They call her their guardian angel.

Click on www.babyplus.com and watch the video, It is truly an interesting story.

Helen