Everyone wants smart babies right? The answer is definitely a resounding yes! without asking. No one wants a dullard as a child and I’m sure most parents will go to any length to have a smart and intelligent baby. And it’s relieving to know that you can have a smart baby right from pregnancy if you do the following things while pregnant-
Iodine-
Iodine is an essential mineral that’s vital to the proper functioning of the thyroid. The thyroid gland is responsible for managing growth and metabolism. Just like folic acid, iodine is also a mineral that is vital during pregnancy. A deficiency of this mineral during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy can significantly reduce your baby’s IQ. The supplementation of iodine could increase a child’s IQ by up to 17.25 points.
An iodine deficiency can cause symptoms such as fatigue, high cholesterol, lethargy, depression, and swelling of the thyroid gland. Prevent this dangerous deficiency by eating the right amount of iodine rich foods each day.
Including more iodine-rich foods in your pregnancy diet could be a good idea. Switch to iodized salt if you haven’t done that already, and add more sea fish, shrimp, cod, baked potatoes, turkey breast, cheese, plain yogurt, milk and boiled eggs, bananas, strawberries, lobster,cranberries, white bread, green beans in your pregnancy diet to up your iodine intake.
Vitamin D-
Vitamin D has several important functions. Perhaps the most vital are regulating the absorption of calcium and phosphorous and facilitating normal immune system function. Getting a sufficient amount of vitamin D is important for normal growth and development of bones and teeth, as well as improved resistance against certain diseases.
It could also help control your mood swings during pregnancy. The intake of D3 vitamin supplements, while expecting could also significantly improve your child’s score in psychomotor and mental tests in the future.
Go ahead and enjoy some exposure to natural sunlight and have a diet rich in foods that contain vitamin D. Remember, to take vitamin D supplements only after seeking a nod of approval from your doctor.
Combination Of Supplements-
Taking a combination of vitamin B and folic acid supplements while you are pregnant could help boost your baby’s mental health and development. Folic acid plays a vital role in the formation of healthy brain cells. Women who consume these supplements during early pregnancy could safeguard their babies from autism.
If you're pregnant or might become pregnant, it's critically important to get enough folic acid, the synthetic form of vitamin B9, also known as folate.
Folic acid helps prevent neural tube defects (NTDs) – serious birth defects of the spinal cord (such as spina bifida) and the brain (such as anencephaly). The neural tube is the part of the embryo from which your baby's spine and brain develop. NTDs affect about 3,000 pregnancies a year in the United States.
Adding spinach, lentils, cereals, flaxseeds, walnuts, eggs, salmon, and other fatty fish in your pregnancy diet could increase your intake of folic acid and healthy fats.
Avoid Alcohol-
Most experts recommend avoiding the consumption of any addictive substances such as alcohol, tobacco, caffeine, and drugs even before pregnancy. The most dangerous developmental disorders in babies tend to occur due to prenatal exposure to any of these harmful substances especially alcohol. These addictive substances adversely affect the brain development of the fetus. Pregnant women must strictly avoid the consumption of alcohol in order to have smart babies.
Light Exercise-
This is one of the best things to do during pregnancy to have a smart baby. Yes, exercising during pregnancy can keep your weight gain in check and also prepare your body for smooth labor. But do you know exercising during pregnancy could also boost your baby’s brain development? A study reveals that pregnant women who regularly exercise, give birth to children who at age five score higher in tests of oral language skills and general intelligence than those whose mothers had a sedentary lifestyle.
So make sure you include light exercises as a part of your daily routine during pregnancy to give birth to a smart baby.