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.

• Use the BabyPlus curriculum while you’re expecting to introduce your baby to the sequential learning process through rhythm.
• Expose your little bundle of joy to music before and after he or she arrives. Levlin said from birth to age five is the opportune time to develop your child’s communication skills and musical aptitude. Exposing them to a variety of melodies and rhythms can also enhance your child’s listening skills.
• Consider enrolling your child in a weekly pre-school music program where they can experience the joy of having fun with music and song. They won’t even know they’re working on their brainpower.
• As they get older, nurture any interest they show in playing a musical instrument. There is strong evidence to suggest that students who play musical instruments tend to get better grades in core subjects such as math, science, reading and language arts, and they do better on standardized tests too.

Everybody has an opinion!

Parents recommend everything from doctors to diaper cream.  Ask any mom, and she will tell you with complete confidence that one bottle type is better than another.  Or, that you absolutely should not use a certain type of lotion or stroller.  The many products available can make decisions confusing, so having a friend or relative recommend something can carry quite a bit of weight...

Well, BabyPlus parents are just as confident that the BabyPlus Prenatal Education System is a must-have for all pregnancies.  "Our" parents are adamant about the fact that the use of this early learning opportunity during the stages of fetal development will absolutely have a positive effect on your baby that lasts a lifetime.  We continually speak to parents who are truly puzzled that anyone would not use this opportunity for learning in the womb.  We agree!  In fact, our recent poll of BabyPlus parents indicated an incredible 97% would recommend BabyPlus to a friend.
 

Mother's Day, May 10, 2009, is a little less than a month away and a day when we will honor mothers, grandmothers, mothers-to-be and those who play a maternal role in our lives. 

As a mom, you wear many hats.  You are a chef, a healer, a chauffeur, a teacher, etc.  The jobs start long before the feedings and diaper changes.  From conception, you become a nutritionist because everything you eat or drink goes to your baby.  You are kinda like a chauffeur because you transport your baby everywhere.  The list goes on and on.

A great tool to use in your role as a teacher is BabyPlus.  Learning in the womb encourages strong cognitive development during the very important stages of fetal development.  Your baby is familiar with your heartbeat and the similar simple set of sounds of BabyPlus teaches him or her to differentiate and discern between the two sounds as the lessons progress.  This is the most basic foundation of learning.

So when you are deciding on a way to celebrate friends who will be moms soon, think of the gift of learning.  BabyPlus is a gift that will be remembered for a lifetime.

Dear Mommy,

Thank you for using BabyPlus while I was in your tummy.  I looked forward every day to hearing the soft rhythmic sounds that were so like your heartbeat.  Did you feel me kick sometimes when I knew it was time for a lesson?  I was letting you know that I was happy for the lesson to begin.  I loved learning in the womb!  I am glad that you read so many articles on prenatal development and critical times is early cognitive development.

I hope you noticed that when I was being born my eyes were open.  Also, I was very calm and relaxed.  Did you notice that I nursed very readily and was able to self-soothe?  I want you to know that is because you took the time to learn about the benefits of using BabyPlus during the stages of fetal development.

When I was a toddler - did you notice that I reached developmental milestones earlier?  Plus, I was ready for school and had greater creativity and independence.  I bet you'll never forget when I was the only one who could hit the T-ball off the T on my team?  All the dads were amazed - and you told everyone about BabyPlus, which I thought was really neat!

Now I am off to school, and I know I am ready for it because I was born to learn!  You gave me the gift of a lifetime just by using BabyPlus while you were pregnant.

Thanks for using BabyPlus Mommy!

If you want other mommies and daddies to know about BabyPlus - you can send them to www.babyplus.com.

Is there a difference between playing music or reading and using BabyPlus?  Absolutely!

While appropriate for infants and young children, music is too random and complex.  Reading is complex as well and is not basic enough for your unborn baby to understand. 

BabyPlus simplifies the complexity of music even more and breaks it down to a "language" your baby can understand--a single beat.  He or she hears your heartbeat constantly and by introducing BabyPlus, a similar beat, learning begins during the most critical stages of fetal development.

After your baby is born, music is a wonderful tool and reading cannot be stressed enough.  Start out simple and once your baby is born, then you can work up to these activities.

So, why not music? 

In short, all babies are exposed to speech and music, but these pass by them as white noise, absolutely meaningless. 

Every unborn child experiences a sonic environment - outside voices, television, radio, CDs - all passing through the abdominal wall (which lowers their volume by about 35 decibels, and muffles these sounds . . . like listening underwater), but most dominant is mother's blood pulsing constantly past the womb at 95 decibels, loud as a rock band; even so, the fetus sleeps about 80 percent of each day.

To promote a beginning pattern recognition, such basic stimuli must be very simple and repetitive, something which neither speech nor music can accomplish.  The repetitive curriculum of the mother's heartbeat sounds is exactly what your baby needs to begin prenatal learning.

Music is wonderful for infants and children.  As prenatal enrichment, however, it has proved ineffective.  Music is too random and complex, while the spoken word is not understandable for an unborn child.  Instead, the recurring patterns of BabyPlus--based upon the maternal heartbeat's tone--and the changes in rhythm are the most beneficial sonic influences.  BabyPlus may sound repetitive to adults, but it is optimal as the earliest form of learning . . . an age-appropriate natural curriculum.

Click on our logo to go directly to our site to read more about the BabyPlus curriculum and how it will benefit your baby - for a lifetime of learning!

You can't turn on the television without hearing about the state of the economy in our country.  It can be quite scary when there are so many viewpoints and issues involved.  Everyone is trying to cut costs and save money and be as economical as they can.   Frivolous spending is definitely out!  Wise spending on a future investment is acceptable.

When you look at BabyPlus, if you start using it at 18 weeks, it is only about 50 cents each time you use a lesson.  It is such a small amount to invest in encouraging learning in your unborn baby.  Based on the mother's heartbeat, BabyPlus encourages discrimination between the similar yet distinct simple set of sounds.  This sets the foundation for learning after birth and for the rest of their lives.  Doing whatever you can during the important stages of fetal development is an investment that will last a lifetime.
 

We're already in the second month of 2009.  Wow!  Of course, February brings about thoughts of Valentine's Day, hearts, and love.  You know, the mushy stuff.  You think of ways to show your friends and family how much you love them and how important they are to you.  However, sometimes when you get so involved in caring for all those around you, you sometimes forget to take care of yourself.  I talk a lot about the importance of taking care of yourself so that you will have the energy to be able to care of your loved ones.  It's such an important idea!

However, there are times in your life when another person should be shown even more care and that's when you are pregnant.  You want to make sure that you eat correctly, avoid negative outside influences and anything else to give your baby the best possible start in life.  One way you can show your baby how much you care is to use a prenatal curriculum to strengthen learning during stages of fetal development.  By encouraging cognitive development before birth, your baby can later show how much he or she cares by exhibiting traits seen in most BabyPlus babies such as self soothing and nursing more readily.

If you think about it, BabyPlus is a way for you and your baby to show each other how much you care. 
 

As we were winding up the day, a few of the employees here at BabyPlus Company were talking about BabyPlus and different stages we have gone through over the years.  The President of the company, Lisa Jarrett, brought up how someone had told her that the name "BabyPlus" said so much.  We all agreed. 

It is true.  The first part "Baby" is obvious.  It is used for your baby.  The second part "Plus" can be looked at different ways.  My favorite is the word "plus" implies added benefit.  What is more beneficial than using prenatal learning to help encourage your baby's learning blueprint in addition to all the good things you do during pregnancy? 

BabyPlus has such a positive overtone.  The early stages of fetal development are critically important.  BabyPlus is valuable during such time, and the added benefit to your baby will last years beyond.
 

"Mocha Manual is a movement for black moms.  A powerful fusion of the woman you are and the mother you became.  A celebration of your unstoppableness, your resourcefulness, your view of the world, your love of community and everything in between.  Mocha Manual is...all you!"

I love this!  This is the very first thing you see when you visit www.moachmanual.com. This is a truly beautiful website.  Kimberly Seals-Allers is a writer - both journalism and freelance.  Her first book, The Mocha Manual to a Fabulous Pregnancy, is a "first-of-its kind guidebook for Black women."  Check out p.138-139 where she talks about her use of BabyPlus.  Clearly she educated herself on the use of the mother's heartbeat sounds during the stages of fetal development.  Plus, what new mom doesn't want a baby who is a self-soother AND a great sleeper? 

I love visiting her site to see the current news - plus all the available newsletters, articles, blogs, etc. etc. She even has a section called "just for Dads."  Check out her site by clicking on the picture...


Then, click on our logo to visit www.babyplus.com to learn even more about the prenatal opportunity Kimberly gave her baby.

The talk these days seems to be about wiring - in the brain.  I have even heard people say that the brain is our "hard-drive." 

We know the importance of taking care of ourselves during pregnancy - so the next natural step is to make sure we take care of our developing baby.  This is logical and right.

But, how do we make sure we are doing everything possible?  First and foremost, talk to your doctor or health care professional.  He or she will be able to recommend the best ways to take care of yourself and your developing fetus.  Get plenty of rest.  Eat well.  Follow the instructions given to you by your doctor or health-care professional.

Next, use the BabyPlus Prenatal Education System to enhance the fetal environment of your baby.  This prenatal learning opportunity is pretty amazing - and over 150,000+ babies all over the world have benefitted from this curriculum of a mother's heartbeat sounds.  In 16 simple yet varying lessons used through the stages of pregnancy, your baby will begin learning - in the womb!  This may seem small; yet the life-long impact is HUGE.

Visit our website by clicking on our logo to read more about why to use the BabyPlus during this critical time in the cognitive development of your baby.
 

It's funny how certain things slip into mainstream thinking.  I just wasn't so sure about the whole idea of texting when it started.   I always thought it was just easier to pick up the phone or email.  Then, a promotion with my cell phone lured me into the world of abbreviations and quick messaging.  Before long, I was using texting lingo like a pro even though my speed still needs work.  The simplified phrases broken down to basics sure makes texting and communicating much easier. 

Breaking down concepts to a simpler form can make things easier to understand or work with.  In fact, an application of simplification can even positively influence the cognitive development during the important stages of fetal development.  That is where BabyPlus comes in.  It is a simple set of sounds that encourages learning in the womb using repetition similar to a mother's heartbeat.  The idea of using a prenatal curriculum is slowly becoming more commonplace and may soon be as familiar as your BFF!  IDK, we'll see!  LOL

I previously wrote about BabyPlus' 2008 year in review.  Now, I want to share my own reflections even though 2008 seems to have flown by faster than I would have liked! 

I now have two "double digit" sons, as they like to say.  That hardly seems possible because I'm only 16 (in my head!)  When did all of that happen?  I must say that they are the light of my life and even though there are days I don't think I'll make it, they do make me smile and laugh! 

I have a wonderful high school sweetheart who every day lets me know that he thinks I'm wonderful and beautiful and is so thankful to have me.  Some days I question his sanity,  but I bite my tongue and know how blessed that he still feels that way after 21 years!

I learned a lot about myself this past year.  I learned a lot about my own limitations and my capabilities.  I was in a job situation that, even though wasn't a fit at the time, prepared me for where I am today.  I have learned that I am far more capable than I give myself credit and can do a lot more than I realize when I have a wonderful safety net around me.  I think in these ways I have grown more than I have in a long time and come farther than I have realized. 

Coming to BabyPlus has given me a confidence that had long been hidden.  As Christopher Robin tells Pooh Bear, "You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think."  I think this definitely applies to me!  I am surrounded by a team of fantastic, fabulous, wonderful people who just support and nurture each other.  I couldn't have asked for a better place to be!

In addition, I learned so much that I never knew about.  I always knew that babies hear in the womb.  I experienced that myself.  What I didn't know is that by influencing a baby during the important stages of fetal development, you can encourage benefits that last a lifetime!  Who would have thought that something as simple as the mother's heartbeat can have such a lasting effect on a baby's blueprint and that words like prenatal curriculum would be in my everyday vocabulary.  I must say it makes perfect sense especially the more you research.  BabyPlus is such a perfect fit for me because I truly believe in learning in the womb! 

I'll stop my ramblings here.  It's been a long road to get here and I won't bore you with the details.  I do know that I am thankful for where I've ended up and look forward to 2009!

BabyPlus was in an Australian paper -  the Sydney Morning Herald - and a few other news stories.  We are in an article on "gadgets."

We are sometimes referred to as a "gadget."  The definition of a gadget is a device or control that is very useful for a particular job.  The BabyPlus is very useful for using the mother's heartbeat sounds during the critical period of fetal development.    So, in this sense, I guess our system could be a gadget.

But, as parents, how do we know what to purchase?  How do we know if something we buy is money well spent?  The best way to know, we have found, is from other parents.  Parents who use BabyPlus recommend us to other expectant parents.  97% of BabyPlus parents would recommend the BabyPlus Prenatal Education system to an expectant mother to use during her pregnancy.  That is a great endorsement!

Please click on our logo below to see how the BabyPlus is useful for the particular job of using the mother's heartbeat sounds day by day in your pregnancy during the stages of fetal development to give your child a lifetime of learning potential.

I have written many times about how enjoyable working in Customer Service at BabyPlus is.  I must now vent a bit about something that is a little frustrating to me.  There are people who truly do not know exactly what BabyPlus is and then feel they can write about something they don't even know about. 

I guess I take it personally because I truly love this company and believe in the concept of prenatal curriculum.  It's easy to feel hurt when someone tells only half a story about an idea that is important to you.  I can respect someone else's opinion...only as long as they have all the facts and know all the details.  I know that there will be people who, even after researching, don't agree with the ideas of learning in the womb and encouraging cognitive development during stages of fetal development.  However, I know that science is always discovering new and exciting developments and it's only time before society catches up. 

When the concept of prenatal curriculum is broken down to its basic concepts, it makes complete sense.  If the mother's heartbeat encourages learning before birth, it makes sense to use a derivative to reinforce it.  I think that sometimes people do not take the time to learn and make up their minds before they truly know the entire picture.  If they did, they would learn that we are not promising genius babies or perfect babies.  We are just offering a tool that enhances the blueprint that the baby will already be born with. 

So the next time you think you know everything about something, take a few extra minutes to make sure you are right and that you have the whole story. 

I've said it many times before, and I'll say it again.  There are days when I love to work in Customer Service at BabyPlus! 

I received a call from an aunt whose niece had researched BabyPlus and told her that she would like that for Christmas.  Her aunt called me and placed an order.  She mentioned that her niece reads a lot about pregnancy and researches ideas a lot too.  When she looked into ordering it for her, she saw that one of our reviews was from a physical therapist.  She is a physical therapist as well and said that she was sold after reading the testimonial.  She closed the conversation saying it was going to make her niece very happy to open this gift.

We've had doctors, nurses, and physical therapists, all who are experts in the medical field, who agree that there are benefits of using a prenatal curriculum during the early stages of fetal development.  That makes it easy to understand that maybe there is something to the idea of a simple set of sounds making such an impact on creating a foundation for a lifetime of learning.

We have received yet another email from a satisfied BabyPlus mom...this is actually the second time she has contacted us with a positive email.....

"My 7 month old is already standing on her own and starting to take her first steps. She's a pro at walking holding on to things and holding on with one hand. She's been crawling for months and climbs staircases and anything else she can climb. She clearly says Daddy, Mama and I believe she now understands which one of us is who by calling us as Mama or Daddy. She is absolutely amazing and I reallly do believe a lot of it has to do with Baby Plus."

Clearly, this baby experienced the benefits of this incredible learning opportunity during early brain development - actually the most critical time in the stages of fetal development.  Hearing the curriculum of the mother's heartbeat sounds during the stages of fetal development is the reason this education system is so effective.  The simplicity of the sounds is the key!

As always, we thank our many, many parent supporters!  Keep sending these stories to us!  We LOVE hearing about your babies!