Talk To Me Momma - Building The Bond With Your Unborn Child

For the unborn child, the womb is a sensory playground. Pregnant ten weeks, a mother feels the first stirring of life in her belly as the baby begins to wiggle and stretch his limbs. Medical experts tell us that the fetus's hearing is well developed by the end of the second trimester. At 23 weeks, the baby begins to hear his mother's voice as well as other external sounds and respond to them. At this point in the pregnancy, he will start to taste the foods you eat and may even develop a particular favorite.

Medical research reveals that babies began to absorb language when they are inside the womb during the last ten weeks of pregnancy, much earlier than previously believed. Talking to your unborn child lays down a foundation for language development. Studies of newborns suggest that babies, just hours old, can actually tell the difference between their mother's native language and a foreign tongue.

Mozart Or Van Halen

Parents-to-be frequently ask, will talking to my child or playing music affect fetal development? Experts answer a resounding yes! Although researchers are unsure of the extent of prenatal stimulation on the fetal development of babies, studies validate that fetuses hear and react to sounds via movement.

Every baby is different. Scientists suggest playing classical music for the fetus based on its calming effect in plant and animal studies. Classical music provides a diverse range of notes and repeats rhythms, which can create a soothing sound of a lullaby. Any upbeat modern or country music is great as long as it is not discordant and strident. Such music tends to be harsh and is not conducive to the peaceful and harmonic environment you seek to establish for the baby's well-being. However, there is no way to really monitor a fetus's reaction to different types of music. Play what makes you happy.

A report by the American Academy of Pediatrics warns of the danger of excessively loud noises, reporting, "Several studies showed that fetuses who were exposed to loud noises during a long time frame were more likely to have lower weights at birth and be born prematurely as well as an increased risk of having higher frequency hearing loss when born. Most of these studies involved the children of pregnant women who worked in areas with high noise, which is different from exposing your child to music. Despite the difference, you should try not to have your volume higher than about 65 decibels (dB), which is the volume of background music in stores. If it is higher than this, your baby may be startled or hurt. If you want to listen to music for a bit longer, try to stay lower than 50 dBs"

Research on music during fetal development is just beginning with experts split with some believing it can help develop the fetus while others feel it may be harmful or simply annoying to the unborn baby. For this reason, it is best to play music cautiously and always do so in moderation. Avoid loud music that may startle or possibly injure the baby as well as avoiding listening to overly long musical sessions that may "over-stimulate" and stress the child. Do not place headphones on your stomach. Embryotic fluid conducts sound very well, and amplification is unnecessary and may adversely stimulate or distress the fetus.

Some researchers speculate that there are just too many variables to attempt to sort out the impact of song, sound, pitch, and tenor of voices, dialogue, and tone. Cautious physicians suggest that the physical reactions of an unborn baby such as movement or heart rate to sounds, speech, and music may actually stem from discomfort rather than comfort and warn not to argue while pregnant, noting that every sound you as a mother hear, emotions you feel, and the words you speak, is heard and remembered by your unborn child.

Research studies support antidotal reports from parents that speaking to your baby, reading, and playing music while pregnant increased cognitive development in newborns, improved sleep patterns, and as the child developed, reflected in sharper language skills. Parents frequently report that their newborn recognizes music played for him while still in the womb, perking up, or falling asleep because of a familiar melody.

If you choose to play music for your unborn baby during pregnancy, do so because you want to enjoy it yourself, not because you desire your child to be smarter. Music has the remarkability to perk you up, soothe your nerves, improve your mood, and help you fall asleep if you are calm and well-rested, baby benefits. Listening to your favorite music indirectly benefits your fetus because when you relax, the baby can relax. Any benefits your child experiences after birth due to listening to music should be viewed as happy consequences.

Rub Your Belly With Love

The sense of touch begins to develop in utero. Stroking or rubbing your abdomen while vocalizing loving words of affirmation helps strengthen the bond between you and your baby. While speaking or reading to your unborn child will not guarantee admittance to an "Ivy League" university, it will help ensure that your baby knows your voice at birth.