Dear le•top: My Husband Really Wants a Baby Boy?

“My husband and I have three darling daughters. He desperately wants to have a son to pass on the family name. Can you give us some tips on making a baby boy?”
— Carol, Forest Hill, MD

I have four brothers, therefore my parents were quite successful in making baby boys. But there is no way I’m going to ask my parents about… Shhh! Whisper it… SEX. (I’d rather ask a priest or a nun.)

Here’s what I’ve found doing my own unscientific “research”:

• We’ve learned that male sperm swim faster, so try for conception the day the woman ovulates so that there is an egg present when the male sperm reaches it.
• A woman who eats more meat and salty snacks can increase the chances of producing a baby boy.
• Dads-to-be need to drink up on soda.
• Women should sleep to the left of their partners.

Share your thought with us. We would love to hear from you.

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Dear Le Top: How do I Make a Baby Girl?

“I have two boys whom I love dearly. My husband and I want to get pregnant again but want to try for a girl this time. Any secrets on how to make a baby girl?”
— Michelle, Renton, WA

Is there a secret to making a baby girl (or boy)? My friends and I have had many discussions about this topic…whether it’s dependent on the time of the month the woman is ovulating, or the time of year the couple conceives…I wonder if there is a science to this? So, I did some “research”, and here are some interesting theories on making a baby girl:

• The older the man, the more likely it will be a girl.
• If the man has recently been on a flight, the chances of having a girl is higher.
• Male sperm swim faster but female sperm live longer. If you try for conception earlier in the woman’s ovulation cycle (when the egg isn’t present yet), chances are the female sperm will be around when the egg finally does come out. The male sperm will get there faster but will die off before the egg appears.
• A woman who eats more dairy, fish, vegetables and chocolate can increase the chances of producing a baby girl.
• Moms-to-be should initiate sex.

Do you have your own theories? Family lore? Old wives’ tales? We would love to hear from you!
(Stay tuned tomorrow for tips on how to make a baby boy.)

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