Posting this article written by nutritionist Mary Jude Icasiano for my future reference (in case God grants us Baby # 2 someday) and as guide to my friends and blog readers who are expecting a bundle of joy 🙂 Happy pregnancy, mommies!

 

As an expectant mom, you want the best for your baby. That is why you do everything you can to ensure your baby’s health. But did you know that you could do a lot of things that can help give your baby a bright tomorrow?

While your child is yet to be born, your pregnancy is a crucial time in his or her life. In fact, the World Health Organization says that the first 1000 days of your baby’s life, starting with the 270 days of pregnancy and first two years of a child’s life, is an optimum period to building a strong foundation for their health, growth, and ability to learn in the future.

Take these three simple steps to help promote proper brain growth and development of your baby while in the womb.

Stay fit and active

Exercising during pregnancy may not only improve your health but also, the brain development of your baby. The University of Montreal conducted a study where 18 expectant moms and their babies found out that after 10 days of exercising, their unborn children have a faster brain development.

This finding also suggests that being physically active during pregnancy can help increase your body’s blood flow, which can stimulate your baby’s overall development.

Talk to your baby

It may seem like a silly thing to do but, talking to your unborn child can help create and establish a bond between you and your baby. In a 2013 study by Eino Partanen, et al., expectant women were given a recording that they will play towards the end of their pregnancy, which included a made-up word. The babies who heard the recording most frequently had the strongest response, suggesting that language learning begins in the womb.

Playing music is also beneficial to your baby since it helps trigger happy chemicals like serotonin, an important neuromodulator of brain development and the structure and function of neuronal circuits. These chemicals also encourage your baby to feel calm and even increase concentration power.

Eat healthily

Every food you eat during pregnancy has a direct effect on your baby. Take this as an opportunity to eat healthy meals that will help with your baby’s growth and development.

There are certain foods that have been proven to effectively help your baby’s memory and ability to learn. For example, a study led by a researcher from Cornell University found that expectant moms who consumed nearly twice the recommended amount of choline each day during their last trimester gave birth to babies who showed better brain function.

Similarly, consuming foods rich in DHA, Folic Acid, and Iodine, are essential for a healthy brain development.  It is also critical to provide your baby with the nutrients that will support your baby’s brain development. In addition to following a healthy diet, you also need a maternal milk to supplement you and your baby with essential nutrients.

 

One milk brand you can try is ProMama, a delicious tasting nutritional milk drink, scientifically formulated with key nutrients designed to support you during preconception, pregnancy, and lactation. It is rich in brain-building nutrients such as DHA, Folic Acid, Choline, and Iodine. Proper growth and development early on can lead to better health outcomes later in life.

Caring for yourself is essential during pregnancy since it supports all parts of your child’s brain growth and development. Creating a strong foundation built on healthy environment and diet can ensure that your baby will have a bright tomorrow.