World Music Therapy Week: The benefits of singing lullabies to your baby

World Music Therapy Week, which is recognized annually from April 10 to April 15, is an opportunity for music therapists and supporters to engage in activities that increase awareness of and advocacy for music therapy. World Music Therapy Week is a global initiative aimed at promoting the use of music therapy as a valuable tool for improving mental health and well-being, and it also serves to highlight the global connectedness of music therapy and its ability to transform lives and impact those around us.

Have you ever sung lullabies to your infant? Singing lullabies is one of the most simple and effective ways to create a nurturing environment for babies. In fact, of research has shown that singing lullabies to infants can have positive and long-lasting benefits on both the baby and mother.

One of the most significant benefits of singing to babies is the improvement in oxygen saturation levels. Premature babies who listen to their mother singing lullabies have been found to have better oxygen levels, and singing can improve their feeding volumes as well, which is important for their bodies to function. Singing also decreases emotional arousal and crying in babies, which promotes a more restful sleep.

Singing lullabies plays an important role in promoting meaningful mother-infant interaction. For instance, a relaxed mother singing a lullaby creates a peaceful and safe environment for her infant, which promotes attachment and bonding. Also, singing has been found to facilitate a relaxation response in both the baby and the mother, which further strengthens this emotional connection.

Lullabies are a specific type of music designed to lull a child to sleep, often using a repeated formula sung by a female. The benefits of singing to your baby start in pregnancy. Research suggests mothers who sing to their babies while pregnant feel more attached to their babies when they are born. Singing also reduces maternal stress and anxiety, resulting in a peaceful pre-natal environment for the baby.

Once your baby is born, here are several ways to use lullabies to create a calm and safe environment:

• Choose any lullaby and repeat it often. Try to match your child's emotional intensity and gradually modify the style of your singing. Use body contact, such as patting, stroking, walking, and swaying in tempo with your singing to create a soothing environment.
• Personalize your lullabies to make them more meaningful to you and your baby. Adding your child's name or using a lullaby that has been passed down from your family of origin can make the experience more special. You can also turn a favorite song into a lullaby. Studies show older infants (6-7 months), prefer lullabies sung at a lower pitch and play songs sung at a higher pitch.
• Record your voice singing lullabies or reading stories to your baby. This is an excellent way to keep your presence close even when you cannot be there. Include other family members, such as fathers or older siblings, as this can help create a sense of familial attachment for your child.

As you can see, singing lullabies to your baby is a simple yet effective way to promote attachment, bonding, and relaxation for both the mother and the infant. It’s a win-win situation for all involved.

As we celebrate World Music Therapy Week from April 10 to 15, now is a great time to reflect on the therapeutic power of musicand how it can improve our lives, starting from the very beginning.

So go ahead and start singing to your baby – it's good for both of you!

For more information about the Music Therapy Program at Children’s Hospital New Orleans, visit our website: Music Therapy | Children's Hospital New Orleans (chnola.org)