Learning begins in the womb

Find out why it’s so important to nourish and stimulate your baby while he’s still in the womb, and how you can do this.

Pregnancy is such an exciting time… enjoy all nine months of it!

Congratulations – you’re pregnant! From the first flutter to the first power kick, the feeling of your developing baby’s movements within you makes pregnancy an exciting experience.

Did you know that these little flutters and kicks are actually important milestones for your little one?

They not only indicate that your developing baby is growing well, but that he has also started simple forms of learning in the womb through prenatal stimulation¹.

These prenatal milestones also reflect 360° Development in Cognitive, Motor, Emotional and Communications skills, that your developing baby will reach while he’s still in your womb.

As a mum, there’s no doubt that you want to give your child the very best right from the start, which is why the two key foundations for 360° Development– Nutrition and Stimulation – are so important.

All mums want only the best from their little ones, starting from pregnancy.

Nutrition

Babies in utero get 100 percent of their nutrition through their mother. So it’s important that pregnant mums obtain adequate nutrients to keep themselves healthy and to also support their developing child’s growth.

Some of the key nutrients that will assist in nourishing both you and the little one growing within you are DHA, Choline and Folic Acid. These nutrients help support your developing baby’s well-rounded development in the womb and can be found in certain types of food you eat.

It’s very important that pregnant women eat a balanced and nutritious diet, both for their developing baby and their own health and wellbeing.

Stimulation

Stimulation refers to a developing baby’s sensory response to not only their prenatal environment, but also to their external environment (i.e. touch and sound).

It is also the first form of communication between mums and their developing babies. Mums who engage in prenatal stimulation may develop closer and stronger bonds with their children.

Letting your developing baby listen to music while he’s in the womb is a great way to bond with him and help establish his future physical and social development.

Stimulation also helps strengthen neuronal connections within the developing baby’s brain to encourage milestones development².

Here are two simple stimulation exercises that you can include in your daily routine to help support your developing baby’s well-rounded development in the womb:

1. Talking and reading

This exercise encourages early language formation to help boost your baby’s literacy skills and cognitive development right from the time when he is still in your womb. It can also create a sense of comfort and familiarity as he hears your voice.

2. Singing and listening to music

Musical stimulation allows you to interact with your developing baby through sound and movement, which helps establish future physical and social development.

Find out about the important nutrients found in Enfamama A+ on the next page

You need to nourish both yourself and your baby during pregnancy.

Pregnant and lactating moms have increased nutritional needs to support both themselves and their babies during these crucial periods.

With over 100 years of experience in paediatric nutrition, Mead Johnson Nutrition has designed Enfamama A+ with 360° DHA PLUS, a high quality milk supplement specially formulated for pregnant and lactating moms.

Enfamama A+ 360° DHA PLUS is specially formulated for pregnant and lactating mums.

Enfamama A+ 360° DHA PLUS is a unique blend of nutrients that contain:

Increased levels of DHA & Choline^*. DHA and Choline are found in breastmilk.

Essential nutrients: Folic acid, Iron, Zinc, Iodine and Vitamin B6 which are important for your developing baby
- Folate helps to maintain the growth and development of the foetus.
- Iron needs rise tremendously during pregnancy. Iron for formation of red blood cells, which carries oxygen to all parts of the body.
- Calcium supports the development of strong bones and teeth.

Now, Enfamama A+ is also added with prebiotic (inulin) which helps increase intestinal bifidobacteria and maintain a good intestinal environment.

Mums-to-be — what are the things you do to support your little one’s 360° Development? Have you tried Enfamama A+? Tell us what you think about it by leaving a comment below.

^*Compared to previous formulation

References

1. James, DK, Spencer, CJ, Stepsis BW. 2002. Fetal learning: a prospective randomized controlled study. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 20(5): 431- 8

2. Narendran, S. 2006. Care of the Unborn Child with Yoga: A Handbook of Theory, Practice and Application of Yoga. 1st ed. New Delhi: Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers (P) Ltd. pp.121

01/04P21/177

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download theAsianparent Community on iOS or Android now!

Get ready for the baby’s arrival by adding your due date.

Calculate your due date

Written by

Nalika Unantenne

Learninghealthy pregnancy360 developmentEnfamamamoms to be