Naming a Baby Requires a PhD aka Book Review: The Art of Baby Nameology

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In the past, choosing a name for your baby is probably an easy task. You hear a name, you like the name, you remember the name, you ask the other half if he likes it and viola! You're done.

Then later on, you have the Internet. You hear a name, you like the name, you remember the name, you check what is the meaning of the name in English and whether it means anything else in any other languages, you discuss with your other half and then you're done.

Then, as more and more people begin to use the same names; you want to stand out from the others so you start having variants in the names. A simple name such as "Katherine" and you can have "Catherine, Catharine, Catherine,  Catheryn, Cathleen, Cathline, Cathrine, Kathereen, Katheryn..." etc and all you need to do is to choose the variant that appeals to you most and the rest is as above.

Then you have the book on the left to tell you all about the numerology in a baby's name and how the number and the type of letters used in the names may affect the personality and traits of your little one (including the variants) and the list goes on....

Updates on Using Babyplus Products

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I have been using the Babyplus for the past few weeks (refer to these two posts for reference) and time to time, I would keep track and observed if the product has any effects on the little one. After I had found out her position (I am currently at 32 weeks); I decided to strap it near my chest instead of mid-abdomen (I will explain why in another post soon) and had been doing so for weeks. This is even though I found out that her head has been down for the longest time.

There is this chart, which can be found on the Babyplus website,  which details the number of days you can use for the span of each module before the birth of your child.  The main aim of this chart is to finish the 16 modules before the birth and if your birth is delayed, all you need to do is to continue playing the 16th module (which I believe is the Mozart) continuously till your little one arrives.

The thing about this Babyplus is that you are supposed to play it at the same hour and time everyday in order to get the optimal effects. Well, it's not that easy for me to do so. I tried my best to play once in the morning and once in the evening - though they may not necessarily be at the same time. Sometimes I even forget.

Would You Test Your Child's DNA to Find Out his/her Strengths or Weaknesses?

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If you can save thousands of dollars instead of sending your child to every enrichment class under the sun in hopes of grooming the next sportsman /singer/ political leader/ CEO / dancer / artist etc, would you do it? Would you allow your child to take a DNA test (at least 2k) of finding out her/his strengths, characteristics, traits and such - even though the results are supposedly to be 100% correct? Or are you going to allow your child to take up whatever interest she/he wants and hopes that she will just sustain this interest in the long run?

When I first read about Map My Gene, I was surprised. Not only has Science now really scale new heights in the arena of parenting but such great leap at that.  A global company, it has been gathering quite an interest from parents, scientists and such. It has also partner with some centres as well. Currently, for $1,980, it will supposedly show you results in 40 areas of your child - including EQ, IQ, artistic, athletics and many more. The company will also help to recommend suitable careers for your child down the road!



How Will my Little One's Birth Be?

My gynaecologist is a very nice person. About 10 weeks before my due date, he decided to sit me down and tell my husband and I all about labour pains and the options that I can take. Needless to say, the pain options didn't sit very well with me. I could feel myself going seriously green and just silently pray that the labour pains would be short, quick and fast.

He told me of the usual that one can read up in books and on the Internet. The natural birth, the Cesarean, usage of laughing gas, when is the appropriate time to use the epidural, how the position of the baby such as if she will be looking up or facing forward will affect the delivery and such. As he went into details, I could feel my face freezing into a "Oh-my-Gawd. Is there ever a painless way? Why? Why? Why?!". As expected of a first-time mom-to-be. Needless to say, I was starting to bombard him with questions that many first-time mothers will ask,"I heard exercise will help! Will it help if I do walking everyday? How about pineapples? Or Cranberry juice? Is there anything? Anything?!?!" Yes, the simple visit to the gynaecologist was turning into a dramatic situation that he wished he hadn't initiated.

Review of BabyPlus Prenatal Education System - Product

Not long ago, I wrote about Babyplus Prenatal System. Out of curiosity, I searched around the Internet and found that it has a high resale value of S$180-$200. Not very willing to come out with the money, I asked around if someone was willing to lend it to me and lo! behold; some kind soul was willing to lend it to me till I give birth (Thank you!)! Now I was ready to try it out and see if it really does work! Some of us may argue, "Why mess with nature?" I have never been an easy kid since young - considering the countless trouble I got myself into or nearly got into. I won't say my life is hard but rather, I seem to take a long time to learn certain things which is essential to surviving in this society.

The Packaging
It stated that the device is made in China, even though the brand is from the USA. There are even positive testimonials from people from the medical fields printed on it. The packaging included an instruction manual, the carrying pouch and the babyplus unit. At least the box looked sturdy. If it had looked flimsy, I would definitely have second thoughts about it!

Ring Slings , Pouch Carriers, Soft Structured Carrier or Wrap

Recently, I chanced upon this extremely informative local website which talks about the different baby carriers. You can search for the best carrier by style, age or brand. This website (http://www.babyslingsandcarriers.com/) also offers other types of babywearing accessories.

Yet I am here for a purpose! I am reading up about what kind of carriers I should adopt when my baby is born. It was here that I discovered that there are different types of carriers for babies of different ages. On their website, I found out that for preterms/ infants to 5 months;  I learnt that neck control is especially important for them as they have little control over their neck (Babyplus actually says that their audio device will help the babies to develop good neck control in the womb!) and their legs are actually bowlegged due to their position in the womb. Interestingly, the bowleggedness will correct itself by the 4th or 5th month!

Thoughts about BabyPlus Prenatal Education System

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With the world becoming increasingly competitive, especially in Singapore, it's not a surprise that education is an extremely lucrative market where products without scientific backing can also make money by playing on the fears of kiasu parents. Yet my opinion is that parents are always trying to do their best for their child so to each to their own.

What is it About
I first came across this while surfing Baby Singapore (http://www.babysingapore.com/) and I must admit I was extremely intrigued. Currently retailing at $318, it's an interesting concept. Apparently, you strap this audio device to your mid-abdomen so that your baby can pick up sounds that differs from the maternal heartbeat and the moment they start doing so - they start to learn. According to them, your baby will be able to do several things that probably not many adults are able to. They can self-soothe, interact and respond, nurse readily and are alert and relaxed at the same time! Later on in life, they will achieve what schools have always been trying to pump into our students without much success - your toddler will demonstrate great intelligence, are more independent, curious and have longer attention spans. WOW!