Our genetics are very important. Our environment is very important.Mother and child bond is deeper than you can imagine.

The big question:
What should be the most important criteria for a well balanced, intelligent and healthy child?

That is a billion dollar question.While genetics and the exact IQ of a child has a lot to do with God’s blessing, as a mom you can do a lot.

Role of genetics and environment on a healthy intelligent child: Baby IQ 

You are literally the sun in the life of your unborn child.Your flesh, blood your soul.
Genetics you share with hubby.
The unborn child’s environment is you.
The external sound and the father’s voice are all heard by the child. But what you as a mommy eat, think, feel, do and decide will and can change your unborn child’s trajectory forever.

Mother’s nutrition

This opportunity is golden to help your child. Health is a habit. It’s a lifestyle choice. It doesn’t work as a fad. If you smoke, drink alcohol while planning a baby, be careful. This will not only affect your health but also that of your unborn child. If you think negative and are surrounded by negativity, it can be extraordinarily stressful for both of you.

The right nutrition, right stimulation at the right time, in the right amount and the right way can be life-changing. It minutely affects baby’s body and baby brain development.

Not having enough protein, calcium, iron, vitamin D, folic acid and other micronutrients can give your unborn child unnecessary stress and challenges too. Breastfeeding is an important way of providing the right amount of nutrition to the child. In case of preterm babies other than breastfeeding additional nutritional support may be needed under strict supervision for adequate growth.

Mother’s role in infant nutrition and cognition:

Baby food and infant cognition go hand in hand. Stimulation with various methods and creative play can aid infant cognition.

What does research say: the two hit theory

Do you know about the two hit theory of gestational stress? Children when exposed to intrauterine stress in mother’s womb feel every wave of negative emotions that the stressful situation brings.

The Barker Hypothesis proposed in 1990 by the British epidemiologist David Barker (b. 1939) that intrauterine growth retardation, low birth weight, and premature birth have a causal relationship to the origins of hypertension, coronary heart disease, and non-insulin-dependent diabetes, in middle age.

This suggests that there is a fetal origin of adult lifestyle diseases.Whenever you worry, your blood pressure increases and the corticosteroids flood your bloodstream.This can precipitate gestational diabetes and gestational hypertension. It can also make the unborn child face similar risks when facing stress after being born.

What is Feed IQ?How can you help develop the baby brain?

A baby’s brain development is based on the environment, genetics and nourishment she/he receives in utero and via breastfeeding. The right stimulation that is infant brain exercises also boosts infant cognition.
So when a mother takes care of what she eats, she is literally feeding IQ to her baby!

As a mom, you are the sun: Smart moms start early

When I write today I thank my mom. Everything I am today is because of God’s blessing and my mom’s firm belief in exposure to creativity and education. From my earliest memories, I remember my mom reading to me. My growing up memories are full of books. The libraries and the book fairs were my Disneyland.

Moms need to start early. Preconception planning can go a long way in giving the unborn child the best chances for a healthy adult life in all ways.

The first step is a healthy lifestyle before conception.The next step is a healthy pregnancy focussing on nutrition and being stress-free.

The third step is the infant. Up to two years of age, their brain is ready to learn anything.Their nutrition, and physical and brain development go hand in hand.There is no way to forget the role of infant nutrition and infant cognitive growth in the future adult.

Takeaway:

1. Eat the right type of food.
2. Take the right supplements and medicines before conception, during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
3. Sometimes you may need additional nutritional support for an infant under doctor’s supervision.Take the right decision at the right time.
4. As a mother, you have a lot of responsibility to start early. Mind, body, spirit, and health starts in the womb for the child and continues after birth.

Start early, do the right thing at the right time.Health indeed is the biggest blessing.

Disclaimer: This article is meant to help create awareness and spread knowledge. All decision regarding your health and child’s health should be done after consultation with your doctor.Read my full disclosure hereWhile all efforts are made to keep articles updated the speed of research in these fields mean the information often may change when more research knowledge is available. Healthwealthbridge or the authors should be in no way held responsible in that case. 
Written after consultation and discussion with Dr. Abhijit Misra (MD Pediatrician – Healthwealthbridge board of advisors).

Reference: Nelson Text Book of Pediatrics