What Kind of Music Do Newborns Like?

You have likely rocked and sung to your baby to calm him down or had music in the background during play time more times than you can count. You also probably don̵7;t know why you do these things -- they just come naturally. According to experts, certain kinds of music and sounds may be beneficial to your baby's developing brain and improve his health, so it is never too early to turn on the tunes or your own voice and nurture your child's love of music.

  1. Babies and Music

    • According to an article from Psychology Today, babies are able to distinguish rhythmic patterns; researchers in Hungary and the Netherlands determined that day-old infants who listened to rhythms could discriminate between them, strongly suggesting that musicality is an innate human trait. Jayne Standley, Florida State University professor of music therapy, has conducted extensive research that indicates music helps elevate mood, promote calm and can be used to encourage very premature infants to learn to nurse.

    Lullabies

    • Perhaps the most instinctual thing for you to do is sing a lullaby to your infant, especially when he cries or you try to get him to sleep. But if you're bored with "Rockabye Baby," don't despair: Music therapists working with infants in intensive care also became tired of singing the same old lullabies and found that singing popular tunes in the style of a lullaby had the same effect on the babies in their care.

    Classical Versus Pop Music

    • In 1993 study that showed listening to Mozart improved IQ test scores -- and the "Motzart Effect" was discovered. While your baby isn't taking an IQ test any time soon, the complexity of classical music promotes increased activity in several areas of the brain, according to Diane Bales, Ph.D., author of ̶0;Building Baby̵7;s Brain: The Role of Music.̶1; While her study suggest that classical music is ideal, that doesn't mean other styles are not effective in regulating mood. According to HealthyChildren.org, listening to music of any kind educes anxiety, soothes stress and improves moods. Your baby has his own personality, so going through a trial-and-error process will help you find the music your newborn likes. Just make sure the volume is low, and never use headphones as that could damage baby's hearing.

    Mother's Voice

    • No matter what music you choose, your baby will still prefer the sound of your singing voice over all others, according Kimberly Sena Moore, music therapist and blogger with Psychology Today. It does not matter if you think you are tone deaf -- your baby can̵7;t tell, or if he can, he really does not mind. You might have already discovered your baby gets excited when you sing or falls asleep within seconds of hearing your voice; singing to your baby is an ideal way for the two of you to connect. Since your baby can process auditory signals by 25 weeks in utero, he is already familiar with your voice by the time he is born.

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