I just found out that my sister-in-law is pregnant with their second baby!  Everyone is very excited!  What is even more exciting is that she is going to start using BabyPlus as soon as she gets to 18 weeks.  So, check back in the next couple months for a glimpse into the thoughts of a BabyPlus mom during her pregnancy week by week!  She is going to share thoughts and experiences about using BabyPlus, then I will also follow up about the benefits with my new niece or nephew.

You can definitely tell winter is around the corner!  This morning, we had to drag out our coats and gloves.  I'm not sure if I'm ready for snow quite yet!

Taking care of yourself during the cold months is quite important for several reasons.  For example, susceptibility to colds and the flu are higher.  Make sure you are drinking lots of fluids and taking your prenatal vitamins as prescribed by your physician.  Another example would be slick sidewalks and stairs.  If you are further along in your pregnancy and not quite used to the extra weight, you can easily get off balance.  Be extra careful!  Last, the inside air dries your skin more so a good lotion will help not only with dryness but with stretch marks as well.

Taking care of yourself during your months of pregnancy is important and taking a little extra precaution in certain situations will benefit not only you but your baby as well.

BabyPlus - Global Availability

As founder of the BabyPlus Company, my primary goal is not what you may think. As much as we seek to grow the sales and distribution of BabyPlus, I have many wonderful co-workers who see that we develop a strong brand name in the marketplace.


While this pursuit is certainly desirable for any company in this very new and exciting educational niche, I am more interested in something else. I am more interested in further validation of this profound developmental tool. This validation will lead naturally to building further awareness of prenatal education and, most importantly, increased availability of BabyPlus for the critical period in prenatal development. My personal desire is that we are able to bring this curriculum to all corners of the world with no socio-economic divisions. Please click on the picture of the green world map to view our International Distributors.

A prenatal vitamin is indeed available in the U.S, at least, for any expectant mom who seeks this out. The benefits of this supplement are so well-documented that an expectant mom can provide these life-long developmental benefits for her child, no matter her economic constraints.  We are approaching a time when the benefits of infant stimulation and the idea of learning in the womb won't even be questioned, much like good nutrition in a pregnancy.

Click on the link to read more about the BabyPlus Prenatal Education System.

BabyPlus Monthly Webinars are starting!

The BabyPlus RoundTable Monthly Webinar Series is beginning!  Your baby can learn while still in the womb.  Research studies show baby's amazing capacity to learn begins even before he or she is born.  The very first webinar will be Thursday, November 13, 2008, from 12:00 noon  to 1:00 PM (CST).  The featured speaker will be Dr. Meg Landwerlen, Pediatrician (Fishers Pediatrics) and a BabyPlus Mom.  She will speak about the results she has seen in her own child and the benefits of prenatal learning from a pediatrician's point of view.

Click on the picture below to register for a webinar, see previous webinars, and preview upcoming webinars.  Each month a different webinar will showcase different topics for expectant moms.  Upcoming seminares will include must-have gifts for expectant moms, nutrition during pregnancy, and fitness during pregnancy, just to name a few.

Click on the BabyPlus logo to read more about the critical periods in prenatal development, learning in the womb, and the benefits of baby stimulation. 

Or, click on the "Buy Now" picture to purchase your BabyPlus Prenatal Education System directly from the BabyPlus website.

Connect With Your Baby Before He's Born

Another news article about BabyPlus...this one was in the August 2008 edition of the magazine Pregnancy&Newborn.  Author Ginny Butler explores "your relationship with the budding life within you."  Her article discusses the development of your baby's hearing in the prenatal environment.  This is a great article on prenatal development and learning/listening in the womb. 

Please click on the picture to read the entire article.

Or, click on the BabyPlus logo to learn more about the BabyPlus Prenatal Education System.

We have great comments from a BabyPlus mom...

"The best thing I ever bought. Used it for my first and she showed immediate response to nursing and

slept from day one 5 hours. From the moment she came out, the nurses commented on how open

and relaxed and alert she was.

Open, uncurled from day one.  Most babies stay in the fetal position but she liked to be stretched out

with open hands looking around.

Milestones reached sooner for sure. Language development increase.

Note: she is 2.5 now.

Using it again for my second and hope it still works well for the third someday.

Love it

definitely a must have"

This is definitely an example of the typical benefits of a BabyPlus baby that more and more moms are seeing.  The evidence is increasing that a prenatal curriculum, such as BabyPlus, is beneficial during the critical period of development during pregnancy.

Click on the link below to order your own BabyPlus for you or a friend!

Things have been hopping here at BabyPlus!  We have a new Director of Retail Sales who brings many new and exciting ideas. 

Julie has an extensive background in retail sales as well as international business experience.  She is continuing her education in neuroscience, which gives her a great understanding of the science behind the concept of a prenatal curriculum and the importance of early brain development during pregnancy.  Her enthusiasm and positive nature is catching, and we are looking forward to the growth and development that she brings to the company. 

We are excited to welcome Julie as a new addition to the BabyPlus family!

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".   

Hey Dad-to-be! Pregnancy isn't just for women. If your woman is pregnant there is a lot you can do. I know you have been reading a bunch of articles on Prenatal development, baby stimulation and fetal development. You have seen everything there is about Critical period in prenatal development, having a smart baby and fetal brain development.

But what do you know about taking care of your new mom-to-be? Let me tell you that a happy mom-to-be = a healthy mom-to-be = a healthy baby. And you can do something about it. In the next several blogs I will tell you how you can pamper the mom-to-be in your life.

The Pampering Dad-To-Be Massage

The healthiest and safest time to begin having pregnancy massages is in your second trimester. Lying on your back is  not a good idea after the 20th week of pregnancy, so the position that works best is to have your mom-to-be straddle a chair, with the back facing her front. This works especially well if you place the chair in front of a table, and then stack one or two pillows over the back, allowing them to spill out on to the tabletop. This will enable her to lean forward during the massage and rest her head.

Now, lubricate your hands with either high-quality commercial massage oil, or one you make yourself. This can be done by combining a few drops of a relaxing essential oil, such as lavender or chamomile, with a carrier oil such as sweet almond or jojoba. Be sure to warm the oil by pouring a small amount into your hands and rubbing them together. This is an important step, since cold oil causes muscles to tense, causing her to feel stressed.

Now, place your hands on her lower back just below the waistline, and slowly begin sliding up her back on either side of her spine. Never massage directly on the backbone, or over the spinal column. As you reach her shoulders your hands should slowly move across the upper back, then down the opposite side of the spine, to the starting point. This up-and down motion should continue for at least several minutes, until the muscles of her back start to warm and relaxed.

Your can then begin applying gentle pressure to any area of her back where she is feeling pain -- using the heel of your hand or the pads of your fingers, bearing down slightly and continuing to move in a circular motion. The operative word here, however, is "gentle." The point of massage is to relax and soothe muscles, so a rubdown should never hurt. If it does, you are is pressing too hard -- so ask her if she experiencing discomfort.

Your massage finishes with a repeat of the up-and-down motion that started the back rub, done for a several more minutes. You should then wrap her body in a soft blanket or beach towel, to keep muscles warm. Have her remain in her massage position for five to 10 minutes.

The massage can be as short as 10 minutes, or as long as 60 minutes; it's not a good idea to go beyond that time limit, no matter how great it feels. During her second trimester, you can give her a massage once a week; during the third trimester, you can increase massages to twice weekly or more if needed. Again, never give her a massage during the first trimester, even by a professional therapist

Folic acid it the nutrient to remember if you are pregnant or are thinking about getting pregnant. It is crucial for fetal brain development. You can’t start too soon adding more Folic Acid to your diet. The fact is that healthy prenatal development is up to you. What you do and eat will directly affect the development of your baby in every stage of fetal development. If you can keep track of your diet week by week during your pregnancy you can insure a healthy pregnancy and a happy baby.

Try this easy recipe alone or as a side to a grilled chicken breast.

Lentils and Rice

Ingredients

3/4 cup lentils, washed and sorted
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup grated Swiss cheese
1/2 cup uncooked brown rice
4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

Combine everything except 1/2 a cup of the Swiss cheese in a bowl. Pour into a 2-quart baking dish, cover, and bake at 350 degrees F for about two hours, stirring occasionally. Uncover and top with the remaining cheese. Bake another five minutes.


click on the bowl of rice to read more about pregnancy and nutrition

Using BabyPlus during pregnancy provides a wonderful bonding opportunity for mother and baby.

In the prenatal period, the brain is at its most receptive stage of learning. By enriching the auditory environment during this crucial period, independent studies have shown that a child's long term learning capacities are improved.

This early advantage means children will be able to absorb and appreciate far more of their environment than if they had not received prenatal enrichment. BabyPlus children have an intellectual, social, creative, and emotional advantage from the time they are born.

Why I Love to Blog About BabyPlus!

Well, the reasons are MANY. 

First, the BabyPlus Prenatal Education System is an amazing educational tool for your unborn child.  As a teacher (in my previous life!), I know the importance of giving your child the best possible tools for success in life.  The prenatal time is actually very critical.  Everyone knows the value of good health and taking a vitamin; now, the idea of early brain development is really becoming more widely accepted.

Second, I love talking about the exciting time of pregnancy.  This special time in the life of mom, dad, and baby will be treasured forever.  We have found that using the prenatal care curriculum actually aids in bonding with your baby.  Week by week, through the stages of your pregnancy, you might notice your baby "anticipating" the lessons.  This is your very first communication with your baby!  Thrilling!

Third, I wore the BabyPlus Prenatal Education System with one of my own children, so I have a first hand view of the tangible benefits of using this educational curriculum.  She is now 8 years old - not really a baby anymore - and I am still amazed with her vocabulary, gross motor skills, school capabilities, reading skills...the list could go on and on (of course, because she is my child, after all!).

Fourth, who doesn't want to talk about babies????  I get to do it all day long, and I love it!  Every joyous phone call and email makes me smile.  I love your willingness to share the stories of your beautiful children.

Fifth, this company is all about family values, education, and prenatal care.  From the owner to all the co-workers, this is a team.  We all work together to impart the important scientific news that your baby is receptive to learning prenatally.

I am so lucky to come to work every day!

BabyPlus parents report about the benefits of using the BabyPlus:

Babies at birth and infancy:
more readily nurse
display an increased ability to self-soothe
are more interactive and responsive
are more relaxed and alert at birth

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

Using the BabyPlus Prenatal Education System's simple and safe lessons during the stages of pregnancy can show these tangible benefits and more. 

Joyful Time

The BabyPlus Company is lucky to be able to participate in the truly joyful time of a pregnancy.  We hear from expectant parents often; we love being a part of your lives.  Every parent wants to make sure they are giving the best prenatal care available to their child.  Your amazing concern and love for your child is so evident with every phone call and email you send us.  We believe in the benefits of infant stimulation during the stages of pregnancy, and clearly, so do you!  Think of the bond you are already establishing with your baby!

The real question is, "Why wouldn't you use BabyPlus?"

The BabyPlus Prenatal Education System is safe, scientifically validated, and the benefits are remarkable. The benefits are a baby who more readily nurses, has an increased ability to self-soothe, is more interactive and responsive, and is more relaxed and alert at birth.  In order to give your child every advantage, you take care of your health while you're pregnant - eating right, taking prenatal vitamins, avoiding alcohol, etc. Basically, you commit to taking care of the physical environment of your developing baby. 

The great news is - you can also begin taking care of your baby's early cognitive development.  The scientific research community is in agreement with your natural instincts.  Why not start educating your child as early as possible - with an age-appropriate curriculum for the stages through pregnancy - based on your own heartbeat? 

Click on the picture to see some of the research behind the use of baby stimulation week by week during pregnancy.

Working in Customer Service, one of the most common questions I get asked is "How many days do I listen to each BabyPlus lesson?"  The usage schedule can sometimes be confusing. Each lesson is to be used an equal number of days, with the exception of lesson 16, which will be longer or shorter depending on the actual day you deliver.

The chart is to be used just once to determine your schedule. For example, if you are in your 20th week of pregnancy when you start the BabyPlus, you will use each lesson twice a day for 9 days.

You will use Lesson #1 twice a day for 9 days. Then you will start Lesson #2 and use it twice a day for 9 days. Then you will start Lesson #3 and use it twice a day for 9 days, and continue through each lesson twice a day for 9 days.

On the 16th lesson, you may go for more or less than 9 days depending on when you deliver. Just continue with lesson 16 until you deliver.

Click on the link below for additional information on the usage chart (Question 12) and using BabyPlus.

As we continue our discussion on the benefits of Folic Acid to the developing fetus' brain, we learn that many fruits and vegetables are high in folic acid. Early brain development during pregnancy can be greatly affected by the addition or lack of this critical nutrient. It's easy to include these foods in your diet. Fruits high in folic acid include strawberries, oranges and other citrus fruits, tomatoes, cantaloupe, honeydew melon, raspberries, avocados, bananas and watermelon.

Try this simple but tasty recipe to help insure healthy fetal development. Click on the picture to visit the March of Dimes website to learn more about the importance of Folic Acid

Simply Salad 
Combine halved strawberries with chunks of other folic-acid-rich fruits, such as bananas, oranges, and melons.  Sprinkle with chopped nuts.  Serve with a dressing of plain yogurt seasoned with a little thawed frozen orange juice concentrate.