Your baby's brain is constantly growing. This growth begins during pregnancy and continues into early adulthood. However, for proper development, the brain needs a solid foundation. The brain is made up of several areas that control everything we do: listening, walking, solving problems or emotions. Each region contains millions of brain cells called "neurons". These neurons communicate with each other by transmitting chemical messages to each other in small spaces called "synapses". When messages are sent repeatedly, new connections are made to form "neural pathways." In the first years of a baby's life, these connections are formed at a rapid pace. In fact, parents play an important role in strengthening the brain development and increasing the intelligence of their child. You don't need any special tools or toys to do this and it's easier than you think! **Dr. Bita Zalali's explanation about the increase in fetal intelligence during pregnancy:** **You can read other effective cases in the rest of the article.** Stimulating the senses helps to increase intelligence Prenatal stimulation is a technique that is very fashionable today. During pregnancy, the fetus is exposed to various stimuli. As he learns to recognize them, he learns to react to each one. Repeated exposure to these stimuli affects the central nervous system. Therefore, it helps to increase the intelligence of the fetus during pregnancy. Babies who are stimulated during pregnancy experience better motor, vision, hearing and language development. These babies show more self-confidence and are more alert. They are also happier than unstimulated babies. In general, songs and sounds used to stimulate the baby during pregnancy create a calming effect that is felt after birth. Research shows that this stimulation before birth has a positive effect on the child's learning abilities. When he is born, he will be faster at learning, and this development will continue into childhood. Also, stimulated babies manage stress better. So this shows that the central nervous system is better developed. Stroking mom's belly, and providing spaces for her to rest, will always be good for both of you. These small movements improve the pregnant woman's anxiety and strengthen the emotional bond with the baby. Ideally, start stimulating your baby after about three months of pregnancy. Although hearing does not develop until five months of pregnancy, you can use touch, light and vibration. And after 5 months you can start playing music and songs. Staying fit and active Staying fit and active during pregnancy is more important. If you want to make your child smarter, fight the lazy urge to get off the couch. As your body moves, it releases hormones that help your baby's brain develop. If you were not used to exercise before pregnancy, continue light exercise and brisk walking. It has been proven that mothers who are active during pregnancy have smarter children. Get your child's attention As the baby grows in the mother's womb, it begins to hear the sound and even respond to it. He may not understand what you are saying, but stimulating him by talking or even singing can help his brain develop. You can even ask your partner to talk to your belly and feel the baby respond. Listen to relaxing music from time to time. Music helps the child stay calm and even increases the power of concentration. Gently stroking the belly is also a good stimulation for the baby. A baby that is still in the womb can feel your touch and even has a sense of smell. Try to smell fresh flowers, fruits and other soothing scents as often as you can. These exercises help stimulate the child's brain. Keep thyroid levels stable Thyroid is essential for the body. During pregnancy, if your thyroid levels are unstable, it can affect the fetus. Thyroid deficiency in the mother can affect the IQ of the baby. Try to eat a balanced and healthy diet that contains plenty of sodium. If you feel that you are not getting the necessary amount of iodine from your diet, include salt and iodized yogurt in your diet. Change your diet If you want your child to have a rational palate, try different foods at dinner. Your baby's taste buds have been developing since around 12 weeks. By week 25, he's consuming about two liters of amniotic fluid a day, and the foods you eat can give him a taste. Do not ignore supplements During pregnancy, your body needs extra food. Although a healthy meal will provide you with enough nutrition, you should use supplements for the health of the baby and for a natural and uncomplicated delivery. Many prenatal supplements such as vitamins and supplements containing folic acid are available in the market. These two elements play an important role in the growth of baby's brain cells. However, you should consult your doctor before taking any supplements. Other Articles: Fetal Screening Test Avoid alcohol, tobacco and other spicy foods If you want to have a healthy and intelligent child, you should avoid the following: - Avoid smoking. This can lead to premature birth and may be the sole cause of many birth defects. Smoking also significantly destroys the baby's brain cells. - Alcohol consumption during pregnancy can also have similar effects on the fetus. - You should also avoid certain foods containing mercury. Control your weight There is a reason a baby stays in the womb for a full 9 months. The fetus needs food for full growth and maturity after 9 months. Premature birth is often the cause of mental disorders in babies. One of the ways to prevent premature birth is to control body weight. Excess weight of the mother often leads to premature birth. So, make sure you don't overeat and gain extra weight. Other articles: Weight gain during pregnancy ✅ **Overall point:** At birth, your baby's brain connections are not yet well established. They are still malleable, but they can be changed or created depending on what is happening around your child. Everyday experiences like playing, reading, learning, interacting and reacting to people are what help your child's brain grow and increase their intelligence. The quality of these connections and, as a result, your child's brain development affects their ability to learn language and solve problems, as well as their academic success. Later, this development may affect his physical and emotional health and his relationships with others. Warm, stable and positive relationships make your child's brain grow and protect him from the negative effects of stress.