When does learning begin? In the womb, when brain development occurs? The folks at BabyPlus believe so. They have created a prenatal education system to help your child get a jump-start on learning, while they are still in the womb.

I have to admit -- at first when I heard about this system I was a bit skeptical. But after reading more and more about it (including the tons of 5-star reviews on sites like Amazon) I was intrigued.

So what is it, you ask?

BabyPlus is a series of 16 scientifically designed sounds that resemble a mother's heartbeat. The rhythm of the sounds increases incrementally as the pregnancy progresses. These sounds introduce your child to a sequential learning process, which is supposed to help them be better learners later in life.

To do the lessons, you wear a fannie-pack type of pouch with a unit inside for an hour, twice a day. BabyPlus should be used anytime between 18-32 weeks of pregnancy. I started at 30 weeks and will continue to try the lessons until I deliver. (And then, of course, I will report back to you about how well I feel it worked after my son is born.) So far wearing the system is easy, but I do find myself trying to find two one-hour periods when I can wear the unit within my own home. (It's not exactly the kind of thing I want to wear running errands or when I am at the park with my son!) I tend to wear it in the morning, after getting dressed, and at night before bed.

BabyPlus babies and kids are known to have many of the same positive traits. For example, BabyPlus babies at birth and infancy:

* More readily nurse
* Have increased ability to self soothe
* Are more interactive and responsive
* Are better relaxed and alert at birth

And later in life, these children demonstrate:

* Earlier developmental milestones
* Improved school readiness
* Enhanced intellectual abilities
* Greater creativity and independence
* Longer attention spans

I will have to wait and see if my son will exhibit any of these traits. And if he does, who is to say that it is from BabyPlus alone? Could it be genetics? Environment? Pre-natal medical care? It is hard to debate nature vs. nurture, but IF BabyPlus can positively affect my unborn child after he is born, then why not?!

Check out the product, learn about the science behind it, and read some of the testimonials. (If you are really interested, check out some of the testimonials on Amazon, too!)