Why you should sing to your unborn child

Singing to babies is such a natural thing. Across all countries and cultures, people sing songs to their little ones.

Nursery rhymes to provoke smiles and laughter, and lullabies to send them into a restful sleep.

The songs that are sung to us as a baby stay with us throughout our lives, they bring comfort, and in turn, we sing them to our own children and grandchildren, passing on these vocal traditions from generation to generation.

Song plays a huge role in our lives, in our families, and in our societies.

Music brings people together, it’s a celebration and a bonding experience. Song uplifts us, it calms our minds and enhances our mood.

There’s no denying that music has many benefits, and these start before we’re even born.

Your unborn baby is listening in!

The unborn child may be hidden from view, but they’re certainly listening!

Studies show that newborn babies show a distinct preference for the voices of their parents, and other family members over those of strangers.

They like the voices that they’ve been familiar with while they’ve been safely tucked away in the womb.

So of course, when you sing to them, they will hear this too.

Singing will soothe, before and after birth

As with children and adults alike, music can be calming and comforting, and so providing that comfort to your unborn child can be hugely beneficial.

When you combine the reassurance of the parent’s voice, along with the comforting tones of singing, you’re ensuring your baby is happy and contented, while also bonding with them.

You may well find that the songs you sang to them before birth become the songs most likely to soothe them once they are born.

What songs should you sing to your baby?

To the unborn child, any gentle, relaxing tune will be reassuring.

You could learn some lullabies, or perhaps you remember the songs that were sung to you as a child.

But it really doesn’t matter.

You could sing your favourite rock song as long as you sing it in a calming style!

It’s the act of singing and the tone of the song, rather than the song itself that will bring comfort to your baby.

But do remember that the songs you sing to your unborn child have a higher chance of calming them once they are born, so it’s perhaps a good idea to choose a few songs that you like, that are child-appropriate, so they become very familiar and you can sing them after the birth, at times when your baby is struggling to sleep or needs a little extra comfort and reassurance.

In addition, if your baby doesn’t settle well without you, you could record yourself singing these special songs, and they can be played if you’re not there at bedtime.

Singing is also beneficial for the mother

We’re focusing on the benefits of singing for the precious unborn baby, but there are also many benefits to the mother, which then have knock-on positive effects for the baby.

Singing is relaxing and calming, and it’s so important for expectant mothers to keep stress levels low. It lifts the spirits and it’s a huge mood booster.

What if you can’t sing?

So you’re pregnant and you appreciate that singing to your baby could be incredibly beneficial, but your singing voice is terrible, or you feel embarrassed singing.

It would be a tragedy if you denied your baby the gift of song just because you feel uncomfortable with your own vocal skills.

So why not do something about it? Anyone can learn to sing well; it just takes someone to teach you how.

By taking singing lessons, you’ll boost your confidence, you’ll learn a new skill, and more importantly, you’ll pass on an incredibly important gift to your baby.

It will give you the confidence to join baby singing classes, both before and after the birth, sharing quality time singing with other like-minded parents and bonding with your child.

From inside the womb, to throughout their childhood and beyond, by bringing the joy of singing to your children you’re bringing immeasurable comfort, warmth, and joy into your home.

You’re creating family traditions that will pass down the generations.

So why not step outside your comfort zone and sign up for singing lessons?

You might find a new-found talent you never knew you had!

If you feel uncertain about your singing abilities, The London Singing Institute, our dedicated music school for adults, offers tailored singing lessons to help you build confidence and refine your technique. Step outside your comfort zone and bring the joy of music to your growing family!