Many parents wonder whether playing music for their babies will make them smarter. And there's no doubt that music is good for babies — it can lift their spirits, calm them down and maybe even lull them to sleep. But the benefits of music on baby’s growth go much deeper: Music may actually change the way your child's brain develops. What's more, babies and toddlers love music — squirming, swaying or dancing to songs they like, smiling when a favorite tune is playing in the background, and banging on toys (or pots and pans) to make their own music, baby-style.

DOES LISTENING TO MUSIC WHEN YOU'RE PREGNANT AFFECT BABY IN THE WOMB?
Parents obviously want the best for their little ones, and providing an enriched prenatal environment is a good way to get started. But experts don’t agree on whether playing music while you’re pregnant has any positive impact on baby’s cognitive development. We do know that a fetus' hearing develops by the end of the second trimester, so in fact, celebrating your obsession with Mozart too often could theoretically disrupt your little one's sleep. Not to mention that getting too hung up on playing classical music while your baby is still in the womb could be the earliest form of overcontrolling parenting.

Thus far, we have no reason to believe that playing music for your baby-to-be is going to get him straight As or membership to Mensa — but that doesn’t mean it’s not worthwhile. Singing him lullabies in utero or stroking your tummy while listening to Bach is a great way to bond with your baby before he's even born. Plus it fosters an early love for all things music. Just try not to overdo it.

WHAT EFFECTS DOES MUSIC HAVE ON YOUR BABY’S BRAIN?
While there’s no definitive stance on the benefits of playing music while you're pregnant, once your little one enters babyhood, the evidence suggests that music starts to prime the brain from a very young age. By 7 months, babies can detect an underlying beat in music, and by 9 months, they can notice slight differences in timing. Research suggests that music may enhance a baby’s mood, reduce stress and help him fall asleep.

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