Actually, the simple choices that you make every day can help build your baby’s brain. This is whether you’re eating a leafy-green salad for lunch or hitting the treadmill for a workout. Having a smart baby is what makes a baby beautiful. Taking a prenatal supplement, one with the B vitamin folic acid is essential for pregnancy.
Folic acid has long played a key role in forming healthy brain cells. A recent study found that women who took folic acid early – from four weeks before conception through to eight weeks into pregnancy – had a 40 percent lower risk of birthing a child with autism.Fortified breakfast cereals, lentils, and leafy greens like spinach. Omega-3 fatty acids, especially DHA, also have a major impact on the production of neurons.
Iron helps promote the growth of healthy red blood cells, which carry oxygen to your baby’s brain. Red meat is the best source, but it is also in plant foods such as beans, spinach, and tofu, as well as iron-enhanced cereals.
If you’re worried that you’re not eating enough fruits and veggies (perhaps you’re struggling with morning sickness) sneak them into your diet like this:Put dried fruits in oatmeal and salads.
Dice or puree veggies and add them to soups and sauces. Get more nutrients by drinking milk and orange juice.
However, be sure to ask your doctor before taking additional supplements.
Exercise will give you the stamina you need for labour and delivery. It can also strengthen your baby’s brain. According to research, children of moms who exercised during pregnancy scored higher on tests of language skills and intelligence at age 5 compared with the kids of sedentary moms. Why? Moderate levels of cortisol.
Better Bonding
You might feel silly talking to your baby now. But it can help you form an intimate relationship early on. You can talk, sing, or read to him/her. Some studies have shown that babies seem to calm to a song, a book, or a voice and may recognize rhythms that they heard in utero.
Maximum Power
The longer your baby’s brain has to develop in utero, the better off he’ll be in the long run. At 35 weeks, his brain volume is only two-thirds of what you’d expect it to be at 39 or 40 weeks. Although some factors can make you more susceptible to preterm delivery, such as carrying multiples or having preeclampsia, you can help your baby stay put longer. Don’t smoke or drink alcohol. Manage serious illnesses such as diabetes, as well as stress. And every time you wish your pregnancy was over, remember that your smart, healthy baby is worth the wait.
