Does Playing Classical Music While Pregnant Really Make a Difference?

We take a look at the science behind the claim that playing classical music while pregnant can make a difference for your child.

Introduction

It’s no secret that classical music can be soothing. It’s often used as a form of relaxation, and many people find that it helps them focus and concentrate. But can classical music really make a difference for pregnant women and their babies?

Some studies have shown that playing classical music while pregnant can help improve the child’s cognitive development, including improved language skills and increased IQ scores. However, other studies have been unable to replicated these results.

So what does the science say? Unfortunately, there is no definitive answer. The jury is still out on whether or not playing classical music while pregnant has any real benefits. However, there is no harm in giving it a try! If you enjoy listening to classical music, there’s no reason not to play it during your pregnancy. Who knows, you may just find that it makes a difference for you and your baby.

What the Research Says

A much-cited study published in 1993 found that children of mothers who had listened to classical music while pregnant scored higher on IQ tests than those who hadn’t. This finding has been replicated in other studies, leading many parents-to-be to believe that playing classical music while pregnant will give their children a boost.

A 2012 study

A 2012 study published in the journal PLOS ONE found that playing classical music while pregnant can have positive effects on babies’ brains. The researchers found that exposing unborn babies to classical music helped them develop better language skills and improved their ability to process and react to sound.

The study, which was conducted by a team of scientists from the University of Maryland, looked at a group of pregnant women who were randomly assigned to either listen to classical music or not listen to any music at all during their third trimester. The researchers found that the babies whose mothers had listened to classical music while pregnant showed better language development at six months old than the babies whose mothers had not listened to any music.

While the findings of this particular study are promising, it’s worth noting that more research is needed in order to definitively say that playing classical music while pregnant has a positive effect on babies’ brain development.

A 2016 study

A 2016 study found that women who were randomized to listen to 30 minutes of classical music per day during pregnancy were more likely to have babies with significantly higher IQs at age 8, compared with a control group of women who did not listen to music while pregnant.

This is one of several studies that suggest playing classical music while pregnant can have benefits for babies’ brain development. Other research has found that pregnant women who listen to classical music are more likely to have babies with better sleep patterns, and that playing classical music in the womb can help babies learn words faster after they’re born.

It’s important to note that not all research on this topic has been positive. A large 2012 study found no cognitive benefits for children of mothers who had listened to classical music while pregnant. And a small 2013 study found no relationship between prenatal music exposure and IQ at age 3.

So, the jury is still out on whether playing classical music while pregnant really makes a difference. But if you enjoy listening to classical music, there’s no harm in doing so during pregnancy – and you just might end up with a smarter baby!

How to Incorporate Classical Music Into Your Pregnancy

Playing classical music while pregnant has been shown to improve the cognitive development of babies. Classical music can also soothe and relax both the baby and the mother. If you’re pregnant and looking for ways to incorporate classical music into your pregnancy, here are a few ideas.

Create a playlist

Thanks to the internet, creating a personalized playlist of your favorite classical pieces is easier than ever. If you’re not sure where to start, there are plenty of online streaming services that offer pre-made playlists, like this one from Spotify. You can also find a wide variety of compilations specifically designed for pregnant women, like the Ultimate Pregnancy Playlist from Amazon Music.

Once you have your playlist ready, it’s time to start listening! You can listen to your music anytime, anywhere – in the car, at work, or even while you’re sleeping. There is no “right” way to enjoy classical music during pregnancy, so feel free to listen however and whenever you like.

Listen to classical music while you sleep

A number of studies have found that playing classical music — particularly Mozart — can help to improve cognitive function, including memory and spatial reasoning. One study even found that pregnant women who played classical music while they slept had babies with better language-processing skills.

So, if you’re looking for a way to give your baby a mental head start, consider putting on some classical music before you drift off to sleep. It might just make a difference.

Go to a concert

One way to incorporate classical music into your pregnancy is to go to a concert. While you may not be able to afford tickets to the opera or a philharmonic orchestra, there are often free or low-cost concerts available in your community. If you can’t find any concerts, consider renting or buying a recording of your favorite classical piece and listening to it at home.

The Bottom Line

There is no scientific evidence that playing classical music while pregnant has any impact on the developing fetus. However, some parents believe that it can help to soothe and relax both the mother and the baby. If you enjoy listening to classical music, there is no harm in doing so during pregnancy. However, you should not expect it to have any significant effect on your child’s development.