Choosing your baby's sex: The folk wisdom

I just came across this article.

Does drinking Pepsi mean your baby will be a boy? To get a girl, should you gorge on chocolate? Make love under a full moon? Everyone's heard at least one of these stories, and we all know they're just urban myths, but...what if by chance one of them actually works? Couples who'd give anything for a daughter or a son may want to give one or two of them a shot (heck, it can't hurt, right?). We've collected some of our favorite folklore about how to make a boy or girl baby below.

(A caveat: Those of you who are truly serious about sex selection should be sure to see our article on what the scientists say. Also, don't forget to take our quiz on the myths and realities of baby-making to find out what can really help you conceive.)

Your child is what you eat

According to folk wisdom, what you put in your body before conceiving may affect what comes out nine months later.

If You Want a Boy...

> Eat more meat (the redder the better).

> Stick with salty snacks -- pretzels, chips, and so on.

> Dads-to-be: Stock up on soda (especially cola drinks).

If You Want a Girl...

> Both partners should eat lots of fish and veggies.

> Give in to your chocolate craving (or just eat sweets in general).

The joy of sex

Quite a few old wives' tales about sex selection involve theories about the best way to make love if you want to influence your baby's gender.

If You Want a Boy...

> Lie down after sex and stay there for a while. Supposedly that gives the boy sperm a chance to beat the girl sperm to the egg.

> Make love standing up.

> Try the rear-entry position.

> Focus on his pleasure -- if the male partner climaxes first, you're supposedly guaranteed a boy.

> Give in to seduction -- if the man is the one to suggest some baby-making, you'll get a boy.

> Gals, sleep to the left of your partner.

If You Want a Girl...

> Give the missionary position a go.

> Make love with the woman on top.

> Focus on her pleasure -- if the woman orgasms before her partner, you can decorate your nursery in pink.

> Take the lead -- if the woman initiates sex, you'll get a girl.

It's all in the timing...or the direction

In a society where lots of people still rely on their daily horoscope for guidance, is it any surprise that superstition and folklore also dictate when to make love if you want to pick your baby's sex?

If You Want a Boy...

> Make love when there's a quarter moon in the sky.

> Have sex at night.

> Mark your calendar -- more boys are conceived on odd days of the month.

> Follow the compass -- one of our users swears that pointing the woman's head north while you make love guarantees a boy.

If You Want a Girl...

> Do the baby dance when the moon is full.

> Make a date for love in the afternoon.

> Get together on the even days of the month.

Keeping your cool

And we mean both literally and figuratively. According to some stories, being relaxed when you conceive means you'll have a girl; if you're a worrywart, a son's in your future. But actual temperature may play a role, too. Some old wives say a man's testicles should be cool before you have sex if you want a daughter; for a son, warm them up. That plays into the common belief about boxers versus briefs -- go for the tidy whiteys if you want a boy, but hang loose if you're aching for a girl. (FYI, research does suggest that boxers are best for baby-making in general.)

Just plain way out there...

Some sex selection folklore defies categorization. For instance, some say that if the hairline at the base of your last child's neck is a ducktail, your next baby will be a girl; if it's straight across, prepare for a boy. Another story says that the baby's sex is determined by which partner is dominant in the relationship at the time of conception.

Just predicting

Chinese Conception Chart
According to legend (and an awful lot of Web sites), the ancient Chinese came up with an almost foolproof way to predict the sex of your baby based on how old you are and what month it is when you conceive. Try it here.

The Needle Trick
More often used to predict what a baby's sex will be after conception, this technique is also one you can try before you conceive. Suspend a needle from some thread and have someone else hold it about an inch above your hand. If the needle swings back and forth, a girl is in your future; if it moves in a circle, count on a boy.

For a variation of this, hang your wedding ring from a strand of your hair (or use your spouse's ring and hair). Rub the ring up and down your index finger a couple of times and then hold it above the top of your outstretched right hand. The number of times the ring swings around in a circle before stopping will tell you how many children you'll have.

The Drano Test

Some people believe that you can predict your baby's sex by mixing your urine with a little Drano. (The resulting color is supposed to be the key, but no one seems to be able to agree on which color means which sex.) Please don't try this. Not only is there nothing in Drano that would indicate a baby's gender, but mixing the chemicals in these two substances can produce dangerous fumes or even an explosion.


http://family.msn.com/tool/article.aspx?dept=baby&sdept=bpc&name=bc_060205_choosingsex&signup=bc&offer=1

Re: Choosing your baby's sex: The folk wisdom

OMG information overload!!
Interesting stuff though, wonder how accurate it is.

It's too much for me to think about - I don't care which sex the 1st one is...although I would looooove a girl.

Re: Choosing your baby's sex: The folk wisdom

That is some information. I dont care what I have, I just want him/her to be healthy, although I would love a boy, or twin boy/girl

Re: Choosing your baby's sex: The folk wisdom

Posted by Diane

That is some information. I dont care what I have, I just want him/her to be healthy, although I would love a boy, or twin boy/girl

Re: Choosing your baby's sex: The folk wisdom

Thanks for the article.

I don't really have a preference anymore, although when we first started trying I really wanted a girl.

Plus, I'm clumsy, so that whole standing up to have sex thing won't work for us!!

Re: Choosing your baby's sex: The folk wisdom

Posted by DebG

Posted by Diane

That is some information. I dont care what I have, I just want him/her to be healthy, although I would love a boy, or twin boy/girl

mmm me too!
Maybe we will both get that this month Diane.

Re: Choosing your baby's sex: The folk wisdom

I want 3 of each!!!!!!!!!!!! Wow wouldn't it be fun to try out all THOSE positions at once!!!!!!!!!

Re: Choosing your baby's sex: The folk wisdom

Posted by leighla



Plus, I'm clumsy, so that whole standing up to have sex thing won't work for us!!

Re: Choosing your baby's sex: The folk wisdom

Posted by karacg

I want 3 of each!!!!!!!!!!!! Wow wouldn't it be fun to try out all THOSE positions at once!!!!!!!!!

Re: Choosing your baby's sex: The folk wisdom

I actually still ENJOY the BDing!!