Calming, relaxing music can help to soothe and relax babies
and children at bedtime. New research suggests that music by Brahms and Bach is
helpful and has a calming effect; many schools use it to soothe infants and
children. Lullabies, gentle song stories, rhymes and poetry also help.
New research shows that singing to babies soothes them,
reduces their heart rate and lessens pain. Songs such as Hush a Bye Baby and Twinkle,
Twinkle, Little Star were shown to reduce pain and lower heart rates. In
contrast reading pop-up books to the children, or books with animal sounds, had
no effect on pain levels.
Calming songs to
soothe your child
Lullabies have been used to soothe babies and children for
thousands of years, but this research shows Relaxing music and lullabies that
their soothing effect is about more than just getting attention from a parent.
Music seems to tap into the emotional side of the brain better than
storytelling, with babies and children responding first to the singer's voice
and second to the instrument being played.
When music, like a lullaby, is sung, rather than a recorded
version being used, this is even more effective in helping to calm a baby or
child as the singer can respond to the child's mood and adapt the way they
present the lullaby according to the moment.
Research centering around music and lullabies helping to
calm children and babies down and reduce pain is growing. For example a study
carried out showed that newborn babies who were played music put on weight and
were discharged from hospital more quickly than those who weren't.