Wondering what’s music got to do with an unborn baby? Well, it’s all about relaxing and keeping yourself free of negative emotions. Keep reading for more on music for the unborn baby and how it might help.
There are many things that are essential for proper development of your unborn child. You should follow a proper and balanced diet that provides you with all the essential nutrients such as folic acid, which aids in normal physical development of the fetus and also in the formation of genetic material. Absence or deficiency of folic acid may result in genetic disorders in the fetus. In addition to folic acid, the diet of a pregnant woman should also include calcium and iron for proper development of bones and blood cells of the baby.
Also, gentle and light exercises that help improve blood circulation and strengthen the muscles, are recommended. However, research has shown that in addition to the basics mentioned above, there is one more thing that might play a significant role in the physical and mental development of the fetus inside the womb and yes, you have guessed it right. It’s music!
Music has a strong effect on human emotions. Do you relate to listening to light happy tunes to lift your mood after a strenuous day at work? Well, then you must be aware of how it helps you forget the blues and bounce back to your happy self once again! That’s the power of music which has been proved to be effective in curing ailments as well. This has raised one question in the minds of people, “Can music affect an unborn baby in a similar manner?” And you’ll be surprised at what scientists have found: music does affect the unborn fetus in more ways than one. So, if you wish to inculcate the love for music in your little one right from the start, read on.
Music and its Effects on an Unborn Baby
Sound therapy or stimulation with the help of certain sounds, has been reported as an effective way to instill calmness in the developing fetus. Not only this, certain sounds have been reported to have had positive effects on the growth of the fetus as well. Wondering what kind of sound(s) will prove to be the most effective? Well, the answer is to include more of mild, soothing music as opposed to loud blasting music such as heavy metal! In short, let your unborn baby listen to notes of classical music and similar soft sounds. Also, remember to let your baby hear your own voice often. This way you will initiate a bond with your baby even before it is born!
By the time the developing fetus is 3 weeks old, the sense of hearing begins to develop. By the time it is around six months old, not only is it able to listen to music but also distinguish between the different types of music. Some people are of the opinion that babies have the ability to remember music they heard from within the mother’s womb till about one year after their birth. Although there hasn’t been any substantial research to support this theory, the experiences of parents, have a different story to tell. Moreover, we have countless examples where music has had a positive effect on the intelligence, creativity, mathematical ability and reasoning in children of all ages. So, why not unborn babies?
Once you decide to play music for your unborn baby, you should be careful about choosing the method of doing the same, so that the volume is not too loud for the baby. But how do you know how much is too much? The norm, according to experts, is to keep the decibel level below 70 and never more than that. You might think that for your baby to hear some or all the music you play, it ought to be loud. However, it is not true, as the environment inside the womb is very quiet and on top of that, the amniotic fluid surrounding the fetus, is a good conductor of sound.
Babies, before or after birth, enjoy music and this is a fact. Doctors have discovered that when a fetus is listening to music, its breathing cycle gets “tuned” to the music played and it is able to relate to the music after birth, when listening to the same tunes can bring about a sense of familiarity and soothe the baby.
Thus, it can be concluded that you should be cautious while experimenting with the idea of making your unborn child listen to music. Play music that helps you relax and keep the volume low enough so as not to disturb the baby. So, go ahead and try sharing your love for music with your soon-to-arrive bundle of joy. After all, the merrier you are, the healthier your baby will be!
