Are you wondering how to conceive a boy?
If so, I’m sure you’re interested in knowing the various methods said to stack the odds in your favour, when it comes to conceiving a boy. This is also known as gender swaying.
How to conceive a boy
Various gender swaying theories have been around for decades.
These theories aren’t guaranteed for success and aren’t always backed by science (unlike some of our suggestions!).
But if you’re keen to learn all the theories about how to conceive a boy, it can’t hurt to try – you have a 50% chance either way!
At the end of the article, I’ve included details of a more recent book to be published, which is based on scientific research.
As far as BellyBelly is concerned, we believe the very best outcome is a healthy baby.
So it’s important to bear that in mind as you read about how to conceive a boy.
However, we do understand couples around the world have their own personal reasons for wanting to try for a boy (1).
Conceiving a boy
Before we jump into tips about how to conceive a boy, there are some important basics you need to know.
Male reproductive cells (sperm) contain one of two chromosomes related to your baby’s sex (2).
For a girl, it will be X and a boy it will be Y.
Therefore, the sperm that fertilises the egg will determine the sex of your baby.
So if you want to conceive a boy, you need to focus on the external conditions which make it favourable for boy sperm.
How to guarantee a baby boy
If you’re looking for methods to guarantee a baby boy, currently there are no known natural options to 100% guarantee the sex of your baby.
The only way you can do this is via artificial means, if your country allows sex selection in a fertility clinic.
However, if you’re not wanting to go down a clinical path, or if you’re unable to, your best chances at conceiving a boy are via the methods mentioned in this article.
What is the Shettles Method for conceiving a boy?
Dr. Shettles, author of the best selling book, How to Choose the Sex of Your Baby, believes male and female sperm have a number of key differences.
Through research, Dr. Shettles found male sperm to be weaker, smaller and faster than female sperm.
He also discovered female sperm were more resilient, and were able to survive for longer periods inside a woman’s body.
Keep reading to discover Dr. Shettles guidelines below, as well as other current views about how to conceive a boy.
How to conceive a boy #1: best sex positions
Dr. Shettles believed deep penetration was important to give the boy sperm a head start.
With less distance to travel, the boy sperm would be able to out-swim the girl sperm, and find the egg.
The Shettles method claims that to improve your chances of conceiving a boy, you should have sex in positions that allow for deep penetration.
It may not sound very romantic, but the closer to the cervix the sperm are ejaculated, the more likely they are to find the egg faster.
Here are some sex positions to conceive a boy:
Best sex position to conceive a boy #1: Doggy Style
The position most recommended for those who want to know how to conceive a boy is doggy style.
Doggy style allows for deep penetration, and is considered the optimum position in which to conceive a boy.
You should kneel on all fours, and have your partner enter you from behind.
You could also adjust this position so that you are kneeling or leaning over a raised surface, if you prefer.
Best sex position to conceive a boy #2: Standing Up
Another position allowing for deep penetration is standing up.
According to some gender swaying experts, boy sperm are given an advantage in this position.
This is because male sperm can swim faster than female sperm, in the race against gravity to reach the egg.
While standing up, your partner may be able to lift you up, or you prefer to lean against a wall.
Best sex position to conceive a boy #3: Straddling
Another great position to conceive a baby boy is straddling.
The man should lie or sit up on the bed, chair, sofa, or wherever you choose.
The woman should sit on top, straddling him.
Straddling allows for deep penetration, but with the added benefit of the woman being in control.
If the man has a large penis, or if the woman feels discomfort when trying the positions mentioned above, she may prefer a position like this where she can be on top.
This will allow her to control the depth of penetration.
How to conceive a boy #2: what foods to eat to conceive a boy
Want to know how to conceive a boy? You need to go bananas!
One study claimed a diet high in potassium and sodium favoured the conception of a boy (3).
Specialist in mammalian biology at Exeter University, Fiona Mathews, said:
“We were able to confirm the old wives’ tale that eating bananas and so having a high potassium intake was associated with having a boy, as was a high sodium intake.”(4)
Keep in mind though, bananas are one of the worst fruits for carbohydrate content (meaning it will spike blood sugar levels).
If you have diabetes, or want to avoid gestational diabetes, go easy on the fruit. Stick to berries instead which are much lower in carbohydrate content, especially strawberries, blackberries and raspberries. See a helpful visual representation here.
As for sodium, sprinkle Himalayan salt on your foods, or perhaps consider stocking up on electrolytes. Electrolytes are fantastic for proper hydration during pregnancy and in the post-natal period (and any time!). See our article about electrolytes during pregnancy.
How to conceive a boy #3: the best time to conceive a baby boy after periods
This tip is believed to be one of the most important ones – which is the best day to conceive a baby boy after periods?
Because male sperm is the faster of the two, Shettles suggests having intercourse as close to ovulation as possible.
If you have sex several days before ovulation, the less resilient male sperm may die off.
This leaves more female sperm to fertilise the egg (5).
Not sure how to tell if you’re ovulating or not?
It’s a good idea to start charting your monthly cycle.
Also, around ovulation time, you can use ovulation test kits (like pregnancy test kits) to see if you’re ovulating.
Check out our article on signs of ovulation.
How to conceive a boy #4: sperm and your partner’s underwear
You may already know the underwear a man wears can affect sperm production (6).
So this is something you may not want to mess around with, especially if the male partner has fertility issues.
Tighter underwear causes to scrotum to reach a higher temperature, reducing the number of sperm.
Boxer shorts are the best underwear if you want to conceive a boy.
Tighter underwear apparently favour the survival of the more resilient female sperm.
How to conceive a boy #5: female orgasm is key
A popular theory is female orgasm plays an important role in how to conceive a boy.
Some sources claim that during female orgasm, an alkaline secretion is released into the vagina.
This alkaline secretion gives male sperm an increased chance of survival.
To increase your chances of having a boy, you should orgasm before your partner ejaculates.
Struggling with orgasm?
Female orgasm is difficult for some women (and men) to achieve. A fantastic resource I recommend to those who want to become skilled in female orgasm is Jason Julius’ video course.
In the course, what Jason teaches doesn’t contain any nudity – he uses a dummy to demonstrate. He offers some very effective tips for giving women amazing orgasms (according to … a friend). Opt in for the free video, and you’ll get details of his course.
How to conceive a boy #6: The Babydust Method
The Babydust Method
is a more recent book on the market. Couples wanting to know how to conceive a boy need to read this book!
The Babydust Method, written by Kathryn Taylor, claims to be based on the latest, scientific research, and has a bunch of raving fans.
Kathryn has a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics.
In her book, Kathryn discusses egg polarity, pH, and acidic/alkaline/ion diets.
A combination of precise timing and frequency, which has been proven to work in a published clinical study, is also discussed.
Here are some of the many rave reviews from readers:
“I love the science behind this. After 3 girls my husband and I wanted to try one more time for a boy. We followed the very simple instructions and 2 weeks ago we found out we are expecting our first son!!! Highly recommend this book to couples.” – Ashleigh
“We were really hoping to give our son a brother and thought it couldn’t hurt to give it a try! We found out we were expecting after the first attempt – and we are getting another son! This book is super easy to read and it’s probably the easiest method you could ever try as well.” – Airanp
You can grab a copy from Amazon.
So to sum it up:
You’re more likely to have a boy if…
- You have a diet high in potassium, and sodium. Fiona Mathews, specialist in mammalian biology at Exeter University confirmed that having a high potassium and high sodium intake is associated with having a boy.
- You have intercourse as close to the ovulation as possible, because male sperm is the faster than female sperm.
- Your partner has loose underwear – tighter underwear favours the survival of more resilient female sperm.
- You have orgasm before your partner. During female orgasm, there is an alkaline secretion released into the vagina. This increases the survival of male sperm.
- Your partner has a high sperm count.
How to conceive a boy – references:
- AMA Journal of Ethics, February 2012
https://journalofethics.ama-assn.org/article/sex-selection-nonhealth-related-reasons/2012-02 - Fertility and Sterility, June 2015
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S001502821500240X - Iranian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism, January 2014
https://www.scopus.com/record/display.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84940351377&origin=inward&txGid=5337b1de5d1f58fd620cc32ecc0858b2 - Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, April 2008 https://www.exeter.ac.uk/news/archive/2008/april/title_626_en.html
- World Journal of Probability and Statistics Research, January 2016
http://wjpsr.com/WJPSR_Vol.2,No.1,January2016/Preconception.pdf - Human Reproduction, September 2018
https://academic.oup.com/humrep/article/33/9/1749/5066758
Q: How do you avoid a faint line pregnancy test result?
A: If you don’t want to feel disappointed by getting a faint line on your pregnancy test, patience is your friend. Wait to take the test until after your period doesn’t arrive.
Q: How do you conceive a baby boy?
A: In order to conceive a baby boy, there are various theories some people follow. One is to adopt a diet higher in potassium and sodium. Another is to schedule intercourse precisely before ovulation, in order to give the faster male sperm a better chance to get to the egg first.
Q: When should a baby start talking?
A: A baby should start talking anytime between 11 months and 14 months of age. They usually say ‘mama’ and ‘dada’ as their first words, although they could also say other words they hear often enough.
Q: Can you drink hot tea while pregnant?
A: Now that you’re pregnant, you might be wondering if you can still drink tea. Fortunately, you can continue drinking tea. However, opt for a herbal one. You should avoid teas that are known to contain caffeine, such as black tea and green tea.
Hello, I love bellybelly for their advice
Exactly. That is the SAME with my husband, he is the only boy with 4 (technically 5, but the first daughter died shortly after birth) sisters, the only one left to carry on the name unless we can get a boy. That, and growing up in a house with 3 females and no real dad, and now living in a house with 3 females, he would really like another dude around, lol.
keep a record or you periods and take your temperature and keep a record to determine when ovulating.
Sex closer to day of ovulation increases chances of boy. Missionary style position. Alkaline douche.
It all boils down to timing, ph of vagina, and position. Control these 3 factors as the above book advocates and you will increase you chances of getting the gender you want by about 27% the book says. I know about 5 people who followed Dr. Shettle’s advice and got the boy or girl they wanted.
Yes, I’m pregnant with a boy and I am certain that I got pregnant by being on top and having a very intense orgasm, which is supposed to aid in “cervical dipping”.
Thank you so much for this!! I needed this it worked for me
No one should be victimised for participating in gender choices,actually people have diversified reasons for gender choices,some of which are life saving. I do appreciate God and His amazing works but I strongly feel each has a right to wish for any gender of history/her choice.and do research on the same.I am astonished when some individuals come out to make us feel guilty.
I have 2 daughters whom I love very much and a son who is God’s blessing to me,I never did any of the above to conceive him,I alway’s prayered in my heart..now I want another son to complete my family,I believe in God and also I need to try..All kids are cool and it is very okey to wish or pray for any gender,the most important above all is a healthy baby.To all those who sound judgemental stop it..
some people who think that its matter of shame to write this kind of article .
please understand a thing if this thing works at least 40 % then at least 10 % of abortion cases will decreases surely.
and above thing is working 85% n some rare cases i t wont work.
A lot of people hope to have a son. NOTHING was sad about hating your daughter or killing/aborting her and throwing her in a dumpster because girls suck…its just an article about trying your best for a son.
who are you to tell someone what they can and cant hope for? Maybe a family has 3 girls and is trying one last time and hoping to add a little boy to their family. Maybe grandma is dying and you hope to give her a grandson before she goes. Maybe grandpa is gone and you want to give your son his name. Maybe there is not one boy in the family and a change would be nice. Maybe girls in the family have a genetic condition. Girls are fun, but so are boys and any father would love to pass on his last name. There are plenty of people who would hope to have a girl over a boy. get over yourself. you have no idea why someone would hope for a boy, and really its none of your business. They will love any gender they get, but everyone can have thoughts or preferences for one over the other. You cant really control what gender you have, and i would hope everyone reading this would already know that but you can do certain things to help you.
My twin brother died and I want a son that can remind me of him and i can name the boy my brothers middle name which happens to be a one time family name so I agree lol I won’t get pregnant until early 30s and I’m 20 lost my twin at 19 we looked identical as boy girl and my genes make my family look the same so I definitely want a boy to give life to what’s left in me as my brother
Ashley!!! I have read your comment and am thrilled. Am a mother of 3adorable girls too, i love them unconditionally. Am planing for another baby and praying for a son, but I live it with God to decide on what he will give me and i will surely receive either a girl or a boy!!! We all love kids but wishing for a brother in the family is something every woman would wish to have. Any advice!!!!