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Several years ago when I was pregnant with Samara (Baby #2), I had the chance to try out and review a fairly new Prenatal Education System. I’ve always been really curious about these things since there are so many out there that claim to make your children the most well-adjusted geniuses. The key to finding an effective prenatal education system, however, is to make sure you understand how they work; as in the science behind what they do and how it effects a baby.

Ps…no, I am NOT expecting baby #3, just sharing some important info.

Here are 5 popular prenatal education systems and how they work:

The BabyPlus Prenatal Education System features a “curriculum” or a series of 16 naturally derived sounds that resemble a mother’s heartbeat. You place it on your belly daily and as your pregnancy progresses, the curriculum also advances and the rhythm of the sounds increase incrementally. According to the studies, babies who use this product should have an intellectual, social, creative, and emotional advantage from the time they are born.

The science behind it:

The BabyPlus tones passing through the maternal abdomen sound exactly like the mother’s blood pulsing through the placenta, only increasing in rhythm and complexity. Standardized tests show that these natural, progressive sound lessons are the most effective form of stimulation. The repetitive curriculum of BabyPlus and the changes in the pattern that are most beneficial for earliest learning and is optimally effective for benefiting the prenatal child’s forming mental structure.

Learn more at http://babyplus.com/scientific-basis/ and see my follow up review of the BabyPlus Prenatal Education System here!

The Ritmo Pregnancy Audio Belt delivers music, recorded voices, and sounds from your phone or mp3 player directly to a baby still in the womb through an innovative four-speaker surround sound belt. The belt itself also doubles as the perfect support belt for the active mother-to-be.

The science:

Research shows that listening to music while in the womb has a stimulating effect on the baby’s brain. Learning and cognitive development are often associated with music. Music continues to play a vital role after birth – first in prenatal bonding, then in the development of language, memory, and coordination.

Learn more at http://ritmopregnancy.com/pages/the-science-behind-ritmo

Sound Beginnings ® is a soft fabric band with built-in high quality speakers that allows pregnant women to play music in the womb. Moms and parenting groups have chosen Sound Beginnings ® as the best way to play music for babies during pregnancy.

The science:

Findings suggest that newborns just a few days old may already be trying to imitate the prevailing intonation patterns of the language they heard while still in the womb. Additionally Newborns are likely highly motivated to imitate their mothers in order to enhance bonding. Find more resources here: http://www.sound-beginnings.com/product_information/related_research_and_resources

Bellybuds act as headphones for your belly. They allow your unborn child can listen to music, your voice, whatever you want to play for them. The system comes with two pairs of medical grade reusable adhesives.

The science:

Similar to Sound Beginnings Music Band, the music and voice playback helps with language development and mother-child bonding.

The product is designed for the fetus and toddlers, as a little voice (below 65 decibels) plays through the speaker. You can connect to a computer, laptop, pad, cell phone or MP3 etc.

The science:

Scientific findings indicate that the most efficient and safest music strength is no more than 60 db for the fetus.

Have your tried any of these or other prenatal education systems for your baby? Share your experiences below!