What an interesting article Dr. Logan sent me. It echo’s the message of BabyPlus with the rhythmic sounds heard with the BabyPlus Prenatal Education System and the first words a baby utters.

Why 'Mama' and 'Dada' are baby's first words

Study: Many cultures' words for mom and pop feature repeating sounds

MSNBC LiveScience, Aug. 27, 2008

A baby's first words are often "mama" and "dada," much to the delight of parents. Now scientists think they know why.

Beyond the obvious - Mommy and Daddy are around a lot and babies are drawn to them languages in many cultures have apparently made the task easy by creating words for mothers and fathers that feature patterns of repeating sounds, a new study suggests.

To arrive at this finding, brain scans were made of 22 newborns (age 2 days to 3 days) while they listened to recordings of made-up words. They heard words that end in repeating syllables, such as "mubaba" and "penana," as well as words without them, such as "mubage" and "penaku."

Brain activity increased in the babies' temporal and left frontal areas whenever the repetitious words were played. Words with non-adjacent repetitions ("bamuba" or "napena") elicited no distinctive responses from the brain. 

Recent studies show that babies who learn two or more languages at once actually perform better at certain tasks.

This suggests "mama" and "dada" (or "papa") are well-chosen words to teach a baby, and it also indicates that the ability to more easily recognize these sorts of repetitive sounds is hard-wired in the human brain.

The research, led by University of British Columbia post-doctoral fellow Judit Gervain, was published online this week in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

"It's probably no coincidence that many languages around the world have repetitious syllables in their 'child words,'" Gervain said, citing "papa" in Italian and "tata" (grandpa) in Hungarian as examples.

"The language center of most right-handed adults is located on the left side of the brain," Gervain said. "This is consistent with our finding with newborn babies and supports our belief humans are born with abilities that allow us to perceive and learn our mother tongue systematically and

efficiently."

"The brain areas that are responsible for language in an adult do not 'learn' how to process language during development, but rather, they are specialized - at least in part - to process language from the start."

How amazing is that? 

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!

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

Go green if you are pregnant or are thinking about getting pregnant. I’m talking about eating more green! It’s important not only for fetal brain development but also for mom’s health. The fact is, 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 continue a healthy diet after your baby is born, you will enjoy better breast feeding and a healthier you.

Healthy Spinach-Stuffed Sole Recipe

Ingredients:

1 tsp olive oil
1/2 lb fresh mushrooms, sliced
1/2 lb fresh spinach, chopped
1/4 tsp oregano leaves, crushed
1 clove garlic, minced
1 1/2 lb sole fillets or other white fish
2 Tbsp sherry
4 oz (1 C) part-skim mozzarella cheese, grated
as needed nonstick cooking spray

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 ºF.

2. Coat 10- by 6-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.

3. Heat oil in skillet and sauté mushrooms for about 3 minutes or until tender.

4. Add spinach and continue cooking for about 1 minute or until spinach is barely wilted. Remove from heat and drain liquid into prepared baking dish.

5. Add oregano and garlic to drained sautéed vegetables. Stir to mix ingredients.

6. Divide vegetable mixture evenly among fillets and place in center of each.

7. Roll each fillet around mixture and place seam-side down in prepared baking dish.

8. Sprinkle with sherry, then grated mozzarella cheese. Bake for 15–20 minutes slotted spoon.

Yield: 4 servings   Serving size: 1 filet roll

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

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.

One way to insure the proper development of your prenatal child’s physical as well as brain development is with proper nutrition during all stages of your pregnancy. You can't start too early. Your baby's brain development begins early in the pregnancy and continues until delivery and beyond.  Here is a recipe I used while I was pregnant and has been a favorite for my whole family ever since.

This broccoli cheese soup is made with fresh broccoli. 

Ingredients:   

·         1 bunch broccoli, about 1 1/4 pounds, washed and trimmed

·         2 cups sliced onions

·         5 tablespoons butter or margarine

·         7 cups chicken broth, divided

·         1 teaspoon dried leaf oregano, crumbled

·         1/4 cup flour

·         2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

·         1/8 teaspoon pepper

·         1 cup milk

·         2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese

Preparation:        

Cut florets off broccoli and divide into small sections. Simmer in lightly salted water for 2 minutes; drain and immerse in cold water to stop cooking then set aside.

Cut stalks into small pieces; place in a large saucepan. Add sliced onions and 3 tablespoons of butter to saucepan; sauté over medium low heat for 5 minutes. Add 3 cups chicken broth and oregano to the saucepan; simmer 20 to 30 minutes. Carefully process hot mixture in batches in a blender until smooth. Melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter in saucepan; stir in flour and cook, stirring constantly, until smooth and bubbly. Stir in mustard and pepper. Gradually stir in processed mixture and remaining 4 cups of chicken broth. Continue to cook, stirring, until mixture begins to bubble. Add milk and cheese; stir until smooth and cheese is melted. Add remaining broccoli florets and heat through. Broccoli cheese soup serves 8.

You can cut this recipe in half. This soup is better the next day.

 

People are talking!   All the attention about early brain development during pregnancy, infant growth assessment and prenatal education is really becoming a topic for First-Time parents. Click on the forum above to read what parents are saying. And click on the link below to read one couple's week by week pregnancy progress. This couple used BabyPlus Prenatal Education System and they share those day by day experiences as well.

 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.

A critical time in child development is the early brain development during pregnancy. Expectant mothers are increasingly more interested in fetal development and spend much time researching and learning about the latest in prenatal care. Learning in the womb has become an issue that is getting a lot of attention. Having a smart baby is a goal for most parents. Watch the video about prenatal learning and see what other parents are saying.

Day by day, week by week, month by month. Pregnancy can be wonderful. With BabyPlus you can make it more enjoyable, even if it is your first pregnancy. The quiet time you spend using BabyPlus aids in bonding with your baby. You can also be assured that you are encouraging early brain development during pregnancy. You are doing all you can for your baby to help in developing his cognitive ability during those months when early brain development begins.

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

What an amazing time we live in. What a great time to be pregnant. In our mother's time there was no talk about early brain development, the benefits of infant stimulation, Prenatal Education or the BabyPlus System. They took a prenatal vitamin and that was about it. Today there are so many advances in prenatal care, and we know so much more about the needs of fetal development. How lucky we are today. I wonder what will come next!