Did you have a baby on Christmas??

Did you have a baby this Christmas season? So many babies have been on television this holiday season in the cutest little outfits. All of the babies born in one hospital here were wrapped in Christmas stockings and put in the viewing window like little stocking gifts. They did look cute but I wonder how the babies felt about it? I've seen lots of names for these babies like Carol, Noel, and Holly. I'm sure parents, family and friends get a lot out of this but down the road, the kids may not be so thrilled with their Christmas names.

As always, my message is just this: Sing to your baby, play music for her and have certain songs for certain activities like bathing, nursing, sleeping, and out for a walk. She will learn to recognize the time of day and activity by what music is playing and will contribute to her sense of security in the world. Give it a try!

Are you pregnant this Christmas?

I was pregnant with my first daughter over the Christmas of 1975. It was a beautiful memory that I'll never forget. She was born in April of 1976 and the Christmas before she was just beginning to move around so that I could feel it. We played lots of Christmas music for her and sang lots of carols and other music. I don't know whether there's any correlation but today she is a professional violinist!

If you are pregnant right now, please enjoy all the holiday music and enjoy this wonderful season! It's a joyous time of anticipation for everyone!

How early can baby hear?

Throughout my three pregnancies I wondered, "can my baby hear the music around me; can she hear my conversations with friends and family?" Well, I didn't know the answer then, but I do now! The developing ear is beginning to be functional by the beginning of the second trimester! Research shows that around the beginning of the 4th month, baby can hear Mom's heartbeat, digestive sounds and circulation sounds. Over the next six months hearing grows and by the last trimester baby can pretty much hear what you hear! What does this mean for the health of the baby? If you sing or hum a carefully selected 6 or 8 tunes for baby, these very same songs, sung after baby's birth, will calm and soothe baby immediately! They will be associated with warmth, nurturing and feeling safe. If perchance your little one comes early these songs will help her to gain weight faster, stabilize body rhythms and temperature and go home as much as five days earlier! According to hospital bills, one day in the neonatal intensive care unit is over $15,000 per day!! So start singing!!

If you don't know any lullabies, order my CD "Lullabies for Healthy Bonding." Link to this CD above.