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    7 reasons you should play music for your unborn baby

    10 Feb 2016 4:00 PM | Posted by
    bh's Anna Bradley's picture
    bh's Anna Bradley
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    in utero music

    We all know that music has the power to affect the way we feel. Whether it’s an upbeat track that motivates you to run a little faster or a chilled out tune that helps you to relax, the right song can change your mood and influence your actions.

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    But it turns out the power of music can affect us even before we’re born! Ever seen images of pregnant women with headphones on their bellies? Well, these expecting mums are helping their bubs’ health and development with music in utero, and the effects even continue after the babies are born. Registered nurse and sleep consultant Deb Herdman tells us exactly how this is possible, explaining the benefits of playing music for your unborn baby.

    #1 The effects of hearing rhythm from music and voice that is repeated over a period of time (in utero) is said to correlate with a more developed auditory (hearing) system, which is crucial for language development, later on.

    #2 Music can calm babies in utero and studies have shown that lullabies can slow a baby’s heart rate and increase levels of oxygen uptake on the brain.

    #3 Because of the calming effects of music in utero, babies can actually remember those sounds after birth and can be calmed and reassured [by them in the future]. This is called foetal memory and is particularly helpful in stressful times when [a] baby is in pain, away from their primary carer (usually the mother), or having those normal newborn moments when parents just cannot find a way to settle their baby. Simply play the music the baby will remember from in utero and the baby will recognise and respond - amazing, right?!

    #4 Music therapy is known to improve vital signs, decrease pain and reduce overall stress which means babies use less calories and can feed, sleep and grow better!

    #5 Music can reduce a baby’s response to stress once born as all babies can remember their exposure to music for up to four months after birth.

    #6 A mother listening to music to help calm herself also impacts the growing baby. If the music makes you feel calmer and less anxious, it is influencing your sympathetic nervous system to reduce blood pressure, heart and respiratory rate. As a direct consequence, less [of the] stress hormone is produced. A calmer mother means a calmer more relaxed baby.

    #7 Music with regular, even and repetitive rhythms is ideal and music that contains a melody clearly wins [in regards to] any neurological benefits, with studies showing areas of the brain respond to melody and therefore nerve cell growth. So steer clear of dance hits and R&B classics!

    Did you play music to your unborn child? Had you heard of any of these benefits?

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    51 Member Comments

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    Cheapohippo 4 Jul 2018 7:00 PM

    Interesting article. I love to listen to music and my kids turned out to be quite musical too. Music makes us relaxed and happy.

    vtjh 4 Jul 2018 10:13 AM

    Music is really good, whether you are an adult or a baby. I’ve heard good testimonies from mothers who have played music to their babies while pregnant

    Isabelbolton 27 Jun 2018 6:41 PM

    I played music all the time when I was pregnant and my little one loves music.

    mariatsoba 27 Jun 2018 11:42 AM

    This is such a good idea. I have been playing relaxation music but wasn’t sure if it had any benefits. Hopefully it will help relax the baby once it’s born

    skincare junkie 3 Feb 2017 2:35 AM

    I love classical music anyway so I have been playing it quite often in the car and at home. Hopefully it will help to settle the baby later!

    clearcrystalwater 27 Jun 2018 10:31 AM

    That's a lovely idea SJ!

    clearcrystalwater 6 Dec 2016 6:31 PM

    My eldest had to 'listen' to me sing as I was a Yr 1 teacher and we sang a lot as a class. Funny because she's extremely musical and has a beautiful voice!

    Lubz 18 Nov 2016 9:06 AM

    I used to listen to Michael Jackson while pregnant. And after my boy was born, I found that he reacted to the song too!

    beauty_beauty 6 Nov 2016 11:04 PM

    Never knew about this

    Trish_D 17 Jul 2016 12:42 AM

    I love this article - I played music all the time, not specifically to the baby but music was always evident and both children love music.

    Tara133 16 Jul 2016 12:15 PM

    My husband is a musician so everyday i have been playing his songs to bump in the hope that she can hear and enjoy her daddys music.

    Becstar 7 Jul 2016 8:13 PM

    Music is such an important thing to incorporate to our children even at the earliest of stage of pregnancy. It is amazing the research on how it can be of impact even in the mothers womb. So very interesting.

    Becstar 5 Jul 2016 11:59 AM

    A great thing to do, with some terrific benefits. There's research to back it up and can only be positive for everyone involved.

    Shop A Everyday 9 May 2016 6:39 PM

    Good for keeping baby company

    matthoner_admin 9 May 2016 11:25 AM

    Spotify has good playlists for babies

    sootyblack_14 6 May 2016 5:08 PM

    Interesting.....

    thelifeoflaura 6 May 2016 4:46 PM

    YES! DO IT! MUSIC IS ALWAYS THE ANSWER (from the music teacher hahaha)

    talk-a-lot 7 Apr 2016 8:56 AM

    I used to play music to my first born, she kicked when the music started playing, this happened regularly. I think its a great thing to do.

    Cheapohippo 5 Apr 2016 9:15 AM

    I really liked to listen to classical music when I was pregnant. It always make me feel relaxed and calm. Happy mummy, happy baby.

    Petal 29 Feb 2016 9:41 PM

    This article doesn't surprise me.

    Jessica712 15 Feb 2016 4:13 PM

    How interesting.

    Shop A Everyday 14 Feb 2016 1:56 PM

    My son got lots of 80's pop tunes lol

    Shop A Everyday 14 Feb 2016 1:55 PM

    Sounds like a very good idea

    Marza 12 Feb 2016 7:31 PM

    classical music and I will a smart kid

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