Playing Music to Baby While Pregnant: A Relaxing Ritual for Mama
Music For Mama…and Baby!
When pregnant, a lot of our usual daily relaxation "techniques" can be stifled--a glass of wine, a high intensity work out--and it can be difficult to find ways to really unwind. One ritual co-founder Lauryn swore by (in addition to her daily sun salutations!) was playing music to her babes while they were in her belly.
"For both of my pregnancies, every night before bed, when normally my brain starts racing with to-dos, I would play the same few songs to my girls. It was so special. I would feel them move and react--I felt so connected to them. And it helped soothe my mind and lull me to sleep too. Interestingly enough, postpartum when my girls and I hear those songs, we seem to all mellow out a bit."
While Lauryn was pregnant, she didn't realize there was a product that would make this relaxing ritual easier, safer and more intimate. Founded by a wife and her husband (while she was pregnant and doing this same baby bonding activity), mbrio has created earbud adapters that clip onto your waistband. This is convenient since most of us don't have old school headphones lying around, but we all have a dozen standard earbuds strewn about the house! Plus, for those of us worried about safety, they even reduce the volume to a safe level for the baby, so you can rest knowing that you aren't accidentally playing music to your pregnant belly at a harmful volume.
Lauryn may not have been able to enjoy them with her baby girls, but celebrities like Ashley Graham are raving about how this invention is a game changer to share music (or a podcast!) with their growing baby. A baby bonus: while playing Mozart to baby actually makes them smarter may be an old wives tale, actual research has shown there are benefits of playing music in utero for baby's brain development. More importantly, mbrio simplifies and makes safe the ability to really interact with your baby; many lovers of the mbrio adapters also find the music gets their baby dancing, so it's a fun way to feel those kick counts!
Nurtured 9 is always looking for innovative ways to connect with baby and most importantly give mom-to-be a way to take a moment for herself to practice self-care and reduce the mental load that bogs us down on the daily. We love that playing music for baby invites mama to take a deep breath, relax and bond with her unborn baby.
Lauryn's recommended ritual:
*pour a hot tea or cocoa
*light a non-toxic candle
*snuggle up with a cozy blanket and your favorite pillows in bed
*pick 2-3 songs that inspire you, that feel special or have some sort of meaning. I used one of my all time favorite songs that is both happy and relaxing (Such Great Heights by Iron & Wine if you must know!) followed by the song my husband and I included lyrics from in our wedding vows
*enjoy, bond with your unborn baby and unwind!