A 2013 study found that kids do learn while they are still developing within the womb. However, the researchers are quick to stress out that when babies "learn," what they are really doing is familiarizing themselves with something.
The researchers found that babies who had regularly heard a song in the womb appeared to relax when the same tune was played after the baby was delivered.
Music to stimulate baby in the womb
Between 50 and 60 dB is the typical noise level in the womb. The fetus's ears start to develop in the third week of pregnancy, but they don't begin to function until week 16.
Although we know that the embryo can actively listen by week 24, ultrasounds reveal that the fetus can hear and react to sound or music in the womb as early as week 16.
Pregnant women who experience high levels of stress can damage the development of the fetus. Both the expectant mother and the unborn kid are calmed by singing and music, which increases the likelihood that the child will be healthy as they grow up.
Music is another essential for bonding while pregnant. A lullaby or soothing tune encourages relaxation and bonding by releasing calming hormones into the placenta and throughout the body.
So baby listening to music in the womb will really be a good idea not just for mommy but also for the baby.
Doctors advise listening to simple music, but anything you enjoy is fine.
If you're having difficulties locating some great music for your baby, there are lots of playlists made especially for pregnancy on music websites such as Spotify and Youtube. Some people focus on upbeat pop music, while others listen to music for meditation.
How to play music for a baby in the womb
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Music in the womb improves early brain development in the fetus because music activates neuron connections in the brain. The fetus's brain is stimulated by music, which helps the development of its structural components.
Newborns may remember the music they heard while still within their mothers for up to four months after delivery, according to recent studies! So, for both the mother and the unborn kid, it is unquestionably a good idea to listen to music while expecting.
Here are some tips on how to play music for a baby in the womb:
- Don't overdo it with the music - Just because you've read that it helps the fetus develop doesn't mean you should play music nonstop when you're pregnant. Do not use music to foster your child's development; instead, listen to it for your own personal delight.
- Never place any audio equipment, including earphones, close to a pregnant woman.
- When listening to lower-frequency sounds, a sustained volume beyond 65 dB should be avoided. The mother's body weakens the sound intensity the baby hears when noises are lower or deeper, but not as effective. A scary bass line could have a lot of volume and pulse.
- Avoid areas where the noise level might cause hearing harm. Overly loud music can impede the development of still-infants.
- Don't forget to sing as well; babies are incredibly calmed by their mothers' voices and it helps to build a bond before delivery.
Can a baby respond to music in the womb?
Baby kicking while listening to music? From around 19 weeks, your baby can hear the sounds around him, such as the sound of your heartbeat, your voice and his father’s voice, and all the ambient sounds in your environment. So he can definitely hear the music you play to him.
Those of you who’ve played music to your unborn baby before would know that yes, your baby does react to music, often by being more active. Some researchers have actually found that babies can breathe or kick in rhythm to the music they listen too.
Are there benefits to hearing music in the womb?
Studies show that there are benefits to listening to music. One study by a Parisian university shows that babies remember the music they heard in the womb, whether it’s from a played melody or from their mothers’ singing.
The study showed that the babies’ heartbeats actually slowed down when they heard the song, meaning that they feel soothed by the familiar melodies.
Does music in the womb make babies smarter?
The theory behind playing classical music to your baby comes from a controversial 1993 study that found that playing baroque music like that of Mozart, Bach, and Vivaldi improved the focus of students learning math.
However, this theory was subsequently debunked by multiple researchers who found that there was actually no effect on IQ. So, no, there’s no proof that music, classical or otherwise, makes your baby smarter.
That said, the fact that babies remember melodies they heard in the womb does mean that they have the ability to learn even in the womb.
So it’s wonderful to interact with your baby by not only playing music to him but also by singing to him and talking to him. Just don’t expect him to arrive knowing his ABCs.
What kind of music should I play then?
You should play the music you enjoy. Think about it — the music you like puts you in a good mood, and if you feel relaxed and happy, your baby will too. Consider playing a variety of music to your baby.
Gentle lullabies are great for your baby since you can play them for him after he is born to coax him to sleep. But he may enjoy kicking along to an uptempo rock song too.
There’s no need to put headphones on your belly as you’ve seen on TV. Your baby can hear just fine through your belly. Loud music can actually have an adverse effect on your baby.
Remember also that your unborn baby spends most of his time sleeping in the womb. So there’s no need to play music round the clock. 20 minutes a day is more than enough stimulation for him.
What are your thoughts on this? Comment them down below!
Republished with permission from theAsianParent Singapore
Updates by Margaux Dolores