Did you know that the baby develops a functional auditory system by week 25 of gestation?
Music has been credited with many things and one of them is trying to make your unborn child smarter
by playing music for your unborn baby.
Some studies have found that the effect of music on a fetus includes improved cognition, motor skills,
enhanced attention span in newborns and that prenatal music can be a tool for auditory learning.
Fetuses develop their auditory system by week 25 and respond to music by week 28. A fetus heart rate
drops when the music is played at lower decibels. This is a sign that it is paying attention to the music.
Fetal auditory learning can start by week 27.
A 2013 study played Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star 5 times a week to expectant mothers. The infants were
studied after birth and those that were exposed to the music before birth responded to the music.
Another study found that babies pick up language cues and intonations while in the womb. Amazingly
French babies cried with a rising melody while German babies cried with a falling melody, somewhat
similar to how the two languages are spoken.
In conclusion:
Fetal heart rate changes with the music
Fetuses can learn through music by week 27
Babies start learning language in the womb
Prenatal music can make a baby smarter
So, Mommies and Daddies, be happy and sing and talk to your unborn child!