We often hear advice to listen to classical music during pregnancy. But what is really behind these recommendations? And why exactly Mozart?
As we all already know, baby hears the sounds of the outside world [1] and reacts to them starting from the 20th week with kicks and movements [2]. Unpleasant and loud sounds, such as car horns or a noisy construction site, can disturb the baby and his heart begins to beat faster. Pleasant ones such as your loving voice, on the contrary, calm him down [3]. Classical music also has a calming effect.
Why Mozart?
However, not all classical music is equal. Research shows that Brahms, for example, increases a child's heart rate [4]. And Mozart, especially Symphony No. 40, on the contrary, calms babies down. Mozart’s music not only lowers the heart rate, but also lowers blood pressure and reduces the amount of stress hormones in the blood [5]. However, you’ll want to skip over "Turkish March". This loud piece of music does not have a calming effect [6].
It has been proven that if you regularly play calm melodies at home during pregnancy, the baby will remember them and after birth will fall asleep faster to this music [7].
However, if you do not like Mozart yourself, choose a calming music you enjoy. If you’re irritated by the tunes, the sedative effect will not be achieved [8].
And I heard that listening to Mozart creates genius. Is this true?
The influence of music on mental development has not yet been adequately studied. But scientists have found that the Sonata for Two Pianos in D major affects the areas of the brain that are responsible for visual and bodily sensations. It turns out that music, where there are sound waves of a certain frequency, can improve a child's orientation in space. This is what is called the "Mozart effect" .
Different classical works also have such an effect [9]. And listening to soft and calm classical music is good for baby and mama.
