7 reasons you should play music for your unborn baby

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?
52 Member Comments
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Interesting article. I love to listen to music and my kids turned out to be quite musical too. Music makes us relaxed and happy.
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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
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I played music all the time when I was pregnant and my little one loves music.
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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
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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!
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That's a lovely idea SJ!
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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!
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I used to listen to Michael Jackson while pregnant. And after my boy was born, I found that he reacted to the song too!
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Never knew about this
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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.
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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.
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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.
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A great thing to do, with some terrific benefits. There's research to back it up and can only be positive for everyone involved.
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Good for keeping baby company
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Spotify has good playlists for babies
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Interesting.....
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YES! DO IT! MUSIC IS ALWAYS THE ANSWER (from the music teacher hahaha)
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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.
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I really liked to listen to classical music when I was pregnant. It always make me feel relaxed and calm. Happy mummy, happy baby.
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This article doesn't surprise me.
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How interesting.
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My son got lots of 80's pop tunes lol
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Sounds like a very good idea
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