Diet & overall health- pregnancy and baby

[dearest22]

I am wondering how much you think that your diet and exercise habits or how healthy you are plays a toll on how healthy/smart/good looking your baby is, and how healthy you are during and after your pregnancy is? Do you think that " well behaved" babies and " easier" babies are because of luck, or because of how healthy you are/were during/before pregnancy?

[mardgra426]

I am wondering how much you think that your diet and exercise habits or how healthy you are plays a toll on how healthy/smart/good looking your baby is, and how healthy you are during and after your pregnancy is? Do you think that " well behaved" babies and " easier" babies are because of luck, or because of how healthy you are/were during/before pregnancy?

Just from reading the research....I believe there is a correlation in how smart/healthy your child might be based on the mothers exercise/eating habits during pregnancy. But I also think luck and parenting has much effect as well. I exercised the entire pregnancy-- cardio 5x week for 45 minutes, weights 2x/ week ( up to 6 months) and Amara would be considered a very "easy" baby by most peoples standards. I am not sure if looks could be determined by exercise and eating habits-- although Amara is the cutest kid in the world!! :lol3:
If I am ever pregnant again, I will do my best to do the same things I did while pregnant with Amara. I had a great pregnancy and had no reason not to exercise and eat healthy....I was able to, so I did.

[MicheleSC]

I don't know if healthy eating and/or working can necessarily attitribute to an easy baby - I did not work out at all when pregnant with my first child. I didn't watch what I ate. I didn't necessarily pig out or eat terribly. I think I ate a variety of good foods, but I had ice cream, quite often, too :) Maybe I was a healthy enough person to begin with (??). My daughter was a very sweet and easy going baby, slept through the night at about 2 months, nursed well and easily for a long time and was very happy, was rarely sick, ate well and healthy (she is still an easy going and happy 6 year old). Everyone told me that she was so sweet and easy that my second child would be hell! Well, I didn't think it was possible, but he is even sweeter and easier than she was (he's 6 months). I did work out a little while pregnant with him, but it wore off quickly because the fatigue and trying to take care of a 6yo and work full time, etc, got the better of me.

I am a pretty easy going person and possibly this was why my children are this way. I think parenting and temperament of the parents (and luck) has something to do with being well-behaved and easy as I have known high-strung individuals who had babies that were also this way, but I'm sure the opposite can be said, too.

[KatieB]

My first pregnancy was horrible diet and exercise-wise, and my daughter was a very easy baby, has never had more than a cold in her life (and these rarely) and is still a great kid almost 3 years later.

This time, trying a bit harder, probably get a hellion lol.

[mardgra426]

My first pregnancy was horrible diet and exercise-wise, and my daughter was a very easy baby, has never had more than a cold in her life (and these rarely) and is still a great kid almost 3 years later.

This time, trying a bit harder, probably get a hellion lol.
HAha...one of my fears if I have anohter child. That we were indeed lucky with how laid back baby # 1 is.........

[rogmel]

my first pregnancy....was very healthy, i gained only 25 lbs, exercise until the day before i delivered.....not so easy baby....not terrible, but she NEVER slept and always wanted to be held.....turned into a very easy toddler.....2nd baby was the opposite.....i was unable to workout because of complications....gained 40 lbs, had a terrible delivery and got the easiest baby EVER ON THE PLANET......slept 5 hrs first nite home, and was slept at least that much every nite, and was perfect....and the she turned 2....and was a very challenging toddler.....3rd is a mix.....easy preg, easy baby.....