There is an interesting trend among expecting parents. It is the belief that playing music for the unborn child is going to create a super baby with super learning abilities.
The music of Mozart has been rumoured to enhance mathematical ability in unborn babies. Unfortunately, this has not yet been proven. Apparently, tests were done on college students, not on unborn babies but if the baby finds the music pleasant, it certainly can’t hurt.
From the fifth month of pregnancy, the foetus responds to outside stimuli, including music. It hasn’t been proven, but neither has it been disproven that early exposure to classical music may help the intellectual development of the unborn child. If mother and unborn child enjoy the music, it can be a good way to relax.
That sounds like a good reason for mother to put her feet up, grab a nice cup of tea, and enjoy an hour or so of her favourite music, although perhaps not heavy metal music.
There is no scientifically proven evidence that music will enhance your baby’s intelligence but there is evidence that listening to calming music can help the mother to relax and breathe deeply and easily. This has a beneficial effect on both mother and child. Anything that relaxes the mother and helps her to breathe deeply is beneficial as it helps with oxygen supply to both mother and baby, it helps with reducing blood pressure and can help balance hormones. Relaxing music has occasionally been used to help with premature contractions, in conjunction with medical treatment.
Soothing music is beneficial to a new mother and her child when she is feeding or trying to get the baby to sleep. It has a calming effect and helps relax the mother as well.
Babies and children respond well to learning through songs and movement to music. It has certainly been beneficial in getting response from children with learning problems. It can be enjoyable, stimulating, fun and relaxing. Let your baby enjoy the music, and you enjoy it too. Your baby is already a miracle; he or she doesn’t need to be a genius as well.
