Why singing is soothing

Even if you don’t believe you have a good voice, singing to your baby can offer calming benefits ❤️

In a 2015 study, researchers from the University of Montreal discovered that babies remained calm twice as long when listening to a song as they did when listening to speech. Lullabies and other soothing songs allow infants to form neural pathways for calming down and falling asleep, especially important in the early months of life.

5 tips for singing to newborns

1. Hold your baby against your chest so they can feel the vibrations you create as you sing. Your voice alone is familiar and soothing, and this adds another layer of comfort. 
2. Sing a few songs over and over again.You don’t need to know a lot of melodies to soothe your baby. 
3. Make up new words to favorite melodies. Try using the activity you’re engaged in for inspiration: if your baby is getting fussy as you change their diaper, try something like, “Diaper changing, diaper changing/nice and clean, nice and clean” to the tune of “Are You Sleeping?”
4. Make it a daily ritual. Include singing in your baby’s routine, especially in the moments when you want your baby to wind down. Soon they’ll recognize this as a cue to calm down, which makes it easier to transition into sleep.
5. Use singing to comfort. Singing can be particularly effective during car rides, doctor’s appointments, or when your baby doesn’t feel well ❤️

Looking for song ideas? Check out Lovevery’s Spotify page for lullabies, morning songs, dance tunes, and more.