More Good Reasons

The parent’s voice. 

It is the familiarity with this voice, beginning as early as 14 weeks gestation, which creates a sense of comfort and safety. Lullabies sung by the parent help the baby make sense of the auditory cacophony of today’s world.

Response to singing

The baby responds more positively to singing than to speech.  When we speak to babies we often instinctively use a “sing-songy” musical voice to engage and capture the babies attention. A song does more – it stimulates language and cognitive development, improves memory, focus and concentration. But ultimately, as we all know, lullabies are sung to lull our babies to sleep.

Unconditional love

Singing to your baby with loving intention is sharing the gift of unconditional love, something that your baby will remember with deep gratitude, well into old age. As a music therapist I have experienced  over and over again the impact of singing a lullaby, with older people, who have been sung to as babies. The words “My mother used to sing  this to me” can be a deep and moving experience, when the significance of this precious gift is realised.

Parents are understandably time poor and it is often easier to put on a recorded playlist than to sing yourself. You will feel better, as will your baby, when you have learnt to sing a few very simple lullabies.