News: Live music soothes premature babies
Updated: Jul. 16, 2019
Finally, an excuse to marry a musician. A new study shows that live music could be the key to keeping
Finally, an excuse to marry a musician.
A new study shows that live music could be the key to keeping your newborn healthy.
The study, published in the journal Pediatrics, shows that live music can improve the health of premature babies by slowing a rapid heartbeat, increasing oxygen intake and improving developmental function.
"Use of live sound and lullabies applied by a certified music therapist can influence cardiac and respiratory function," the study’s authors wrote.
Live music also decreased parents’ stress levels.
“Parent-preferred lullabies, sung live, can enhance bonding, thus decreasing the stress parents associate with premature infant care,” the study’s authors wrote.
It may seem surprising that music can have such positive health effects, but this isn’t the first study to shows its benefits.
Another recent study showed that music can boost immunity, and be more effective than prescription drugs in some cases.
What do you think of this study? Would you want your baby to listen to live music?
-Katharine Watts, associate web editor
Related:
‘ How music helps your brain
‘ Music helps ease stress in critically ill patients
‘ The great Canadian playlist for runners
