Before we get too in depth with attending symphonies for your baby to listen to while still in the womb, let us not forget the closest instrument we have within us besides the heartbeat – our voice. The sound of our voices sending reverberations throughout our body. The pacing of our heartbeats give us away and prove the existence of our anxiety, fears and insecurities. Both of these can be felt by the baby in the womb. Perhaps this is why it’s said how detrimental stressors can be on a developing child.
So, before we get too complex and off track, let us remember to embrace our singing voices. How peaceful to hear a sweet lullaby sung by a loved one throughout your life, in times of heartache and in times of peace. Why not start this tradition off from the beginning? You never know what is truly being picked up, so you may as well assume that it’s everything – whether consciously or subconsciously.
What Science Says
Healthline states “Your tiny companion is listening to your voice long before you see each other. Developing babies likely start hearing sounds in the second trimester, but they really begin to respond to various noises during the final trimester. Mom’s voice, in particular, is conducted through her own body. As you talk, sing, or read aloud, your voice vibrates and amplifies inside of your body. It’s an effective system, which doctors say is much more efficient than putting earphones or buds on the belly.
So, what does it sound like from your baby’s perspective? “The womb is a relatively quiet place registering around 50 – 60dB. A normal conversation registers about 60dB. The fetus develops ears in the third week of gestation but they don’t become functional until week 16. While we know the fetus can actively listen by week 24, ultrasounds reveal that the fetus can hear and in turn respond to sound at week 16.”
What’s on the Playlist?
When it comes to the types of music – we must first insist that you are very careful with volume. In our humble opinion, we’d suggest to keep it low and mellow. Save any intense music for the dancing toddler years. This goes for those marching symphonic pieces, as well. Although one cannot be sure, it feels as if it would be too much for the sensitive baby who has just begun growing.
Let us not forget the benefits of making these efforts.
“Listening to all kinds of music encourages early brain development in the fetus because music facilitates neuron connections in the brain. Listening and experiencing music stimulates the fetus’ brain and assists with the growth of brain structures. New studies even suggest that babies remember music they listened to in the womb for up to four months after being born! So, listening to music while you’re pregnant is definitely a good idea, for both mom and baby” – Tiny Love.
Singing can be soothing for the mother, as well. Singing is known to calm down the vocalist themselves and those listening. Even for heavy metal music, the aftermath of performing a passionate piece, often leaves the listener and performer both in a state of peace. This has a similar effect on those who are singing. Your child is feeling your voice echo from within your body in the most magical way. Let go and don’t worry about how it sounds!
