Music during Pregnancy: Not always what You Think

If you’re an expectant mom and have read and researched everything you can about ensuring that your baby is born healthy, chances are you’ve seen images of a mother holding big earphones over their bulging tummies and making their babies listen to music. In many cases, music does have a stimulating effect on an unborn child. However, the outcome can swing in either favorable or uncomfortable situations for the baby.

Some prenatal audio experts suggest playing your baby tunes no louder than 70 decibels. There are special audio devices which are tailored for this purpose. One thing that both mothers and researchers agree on, a round of classical or slow music can be the most beneficial sounds to make your baby listen to.

You can use loud rock and rap songs if that’s your preference, but it isn’t recommended. Studies show that these music types may unsettle the baby to the point that they kick often. You certainly do not want to play songs with offensive lyrics either. Attending loud concerts is also not advisable, since these can generate noises of at least 100 dB. Under such situations, not only will you make your unborn child uncomfortable, you may damage your hearing as well.

For best results, use a prenatal sound system as per your physician’s recommendations. These are proven to enhance a child’s cognitive, creative, developmental, and emotional wellbeing from the time they are born.