Pregnant women have been singing to their unborn babies since ancient times, and it turns out this is good for baby and mama. Here’s the science behind your songs.
Songs help the baby relax
Baby begins to hear long before birth [1]. Sounds reach the uterus muffled, but the child will surely hear the train whistle or the car alarm siren, and these harsh sounds can be frightening. Babies may shudder, kick or jerk their arms and legs. And their heartbeat quickens [2].
To soothe your baby, you can sing. Pleasant sounds calm babies and lower their heart rates [3]. You can also listen to pleasant music on your stereo, but hearing your voice will be the most calming for baby. Research shows that the mother's voice penetrates the amniotic fluid better than other sounds [4].
The sound waves of a mother's voice travel to the baby through vibrations, through bone and tissue. The vibrations penetrate the entire body of your baby, relaxing him.
Songs strengthen the emotional bond between mom and baby
The more often the child hears the mother's voice, the better she will remember it. Already on the second day of her life, she will enjoy your voice most of all [4]. After birth, the baby will even recognize the songs that you sang to her when you were pregnant. Hearing familiar sounds will help your baby calm down, stop crying and fall asleep. It will be easier for you to lull him asleep [5].
Which song should you choose?
Any song will do — a lullaby or a pop song on the radio. The main thing is that you like the song yourself. It is important because if you force yourself to sing a song you don’t like, then stress hormones may be transmitted to the baby through the placenta. In this case, the desired effect will not be achieved [6].
How often should you sing?
As often as you like, but it's a good idea to always sing the same song. This way your baby will recognize the song. Hum the same song after birth too. Make it your secret tool when you need to calm your baby during stressful moments such as in the car or at the doctor's office.
What if I can't sing or don’t like to sing?
Your baby will love your voice no matter what it sounds like, but if you don’t enjoy singing you can recite a poem with a clear melodic pattern. The effect will be similar.
