Music for
Babies
You’ve probably seen videos and CDs for babies. There are
some theories that classical music can make your baby smarter, and exposing your
baby to music is part of what we do to introduce them to all the sights and
sounds of their world.
Music can definitely help calm your baby down and put him
in a restful state at bedtime or nap time. What are some good choices for a
baby?
Almost anything you love or use for relaxation is good for
a baby too. There are good collections of Mozart or Bach for bedtime. The music
of Enya can be very soothing as well. Georgia Kelly’s harp music is also
relaxing and peaceful.
When your baby’s awake, there are lots of nursery rhymes or
music from kids’ movies that can stimulate his senses. We’ve known kids who
respond to minimalist Phillip Glass’s music; it’s simple and rhythmic and when
they get older, they’ll dance with it. Spirituals and soft gospel music are also
good choices to help the baby get to sleep.
White noise, in the form of a fan (not directed right at
the baby), or from sound machines that simulate the sound of an ocean or rain
can be restful as well, and can block out noise from the home. You don’t need to
create an artificially silent environment for the baby, however, since that can
make it harder for them to get to sleep when the home’s rhythms and noises get
back to normal.
This is a great time for you to explore classical music as
well, if it’s not already part of your life. The same music that’s helping your
baby get to sleep can help soothe your own nerves and provide a wonderful time
of bonding and restfulness for you and your baby together.
