THE BABBLE TAKE
Studies show unborn children can hear beginning at eighteen to twenty weeks, which means they recognize their parents' voices and possibly other sounds too. A couple of weeks later, they start to move in the uterus and even respond to external pressure. This has lead many to wonder if external stimuli might enhance parent-child bonding as well as the later development of the baby. Some studies say babies who have listened to certain kinds of music in the womb develop better speech and motor skills later in life. Other scientists are skeptical of such claims. While you may not be able to prep your child for the SATs at this stage, most experts agree that it's never too early to start bonding with your baby. Some of the most popular methods include talking to and massaging the belly and playing music. Research has found that unborn babies do indeed respond to music. Laying an early foundation for good taste is tempting. However, as one neuroscientist points out, nobody knows why unborn babies respond to music — perhaps baby's moving around because she doesn't like Marvin Gaye.
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BabyCenter ®
"There are studies indicating that fetuses can hear and react to sound by moving. But no one really knows what those movements mean, since experts can't observe an unborn baby as easily as they could one who is out of the womb. 'There are no studies on the effects of stimulation before birth on intelligence, creativity, or later development.'"
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Medicine Net
"Research shows that babies in the womb have the emotional and intuitive capabilities to sense their parents' love. 'Prenates can see, hear, feel, remember, taste, and think before birth,' says Luminare-Rosen, of The Center for Creative Parenting. Bonding (also known as attachment), says Marilee Hartling, RN, is how babies — before and after birth — learn what the world is all about. 'It's also part of their personality development.'"
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Expectant Mother's Guide
"Jason watched as his wife played a recording of the Pachelbel Canon for their newborn son, Nick. He was amazed to see his tiny head turn, eyes wide open, toward the recorder and remain focused on it for the duration of the piece. Only when it concluded did the child turn away. 'That's amazing,' he exclaimed. 'The baby remembers that music you played during your pregnancy!'"
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About.com
"Play time with baby starts long before labor day. As the fetus develops during pregnancy there are many ways to increase brain stimulation and have a lot of fun doing that. While we know that spontaneous movements begin very early on, much sooner than we can usually feel, the baby is also developing many organ systems."
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iVillage
"The ear, already functional by the 16th week of pregnancy, is an incredibly sensual organ. Speaking, singing and touching your baby through the womb all provide ways to begin your relationship with your unborn child. Express your love. Your baby is listening (and learning too)."
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