The Norwegian Fetus (Part II of II)

As you begin to notice more activity in your womb, seize opportunities for interaction with your fetus. Parents can teach their unborn child to kick on cue by pressing gently on the abdomen and commanding the baby to kick (in Norwegian, spark). Try varying the location and see if you can get your baby to respond by moving to the new area. An alternative is to play traditional folk music with a good beat and encourage your child to “dance” in the womb by gently tapping your abdomen along to the music.

Taste preferences are also beginning to develop in the womb, so as a mother, make an effort to seek out Norwegian foods during and after pregnancy. As the baby takes in nutrients from the mother, it begins acquiring preferences that will persist through breastfeeding and early eating habits. An additional benefit of eating Norwegian food during pregnancy is that it won’t make you queasy, since most Norwegian foods tend not to be greasy. Smørbrød, or open-faced sandwiches on good bread, is an excellent staple. Keep this diet up even after birth if you are breastfeeding, or the baby may find changes in your breast milk repellant.

Babies are also highly attuned to the mother’s emotional experience of situations and can learn to associate moods with certain stimuli. If the mother is happy and comfortable when listening to Norwegian music, eating Norwegian foods, or reading Norwegian rhymes, then the baby will learn to associate positive emotions with these experiences. On the other hand, if the mother finds Norwegian music obnoxious, Norwegian food disgusting, and experiences anxiety when speaking Norwegian, chances are the infant will be highly motivated to avoid these things later in life. Be conscious of the kinds of information you are transmitting to your child – implicit messages can sometimes be the most powerful.

Finally, as an expectant mother, pay attention to how your “insides” are interacting with your “outsides” and actively look for unique learning opportunities. Learn to recognize the types of things that your baby responds to in the womb, whether it be music or motion or even the faint presence of light, and identify strategies for integrating aspects of Norwegian culture into these events. If you are creative and persistent, you may actually end up with a child that has an acute and thoughtful appreciation of Norwegian culture. Just don’t forget to keep it up after it’s born!

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