Music for Mother and Child
Summary of a report on the effect of specially composed music on fetuses, infants, toddlers and parents
“We were just visited by a couple and their 8 months-old girl. At one point during the evening she was restless and distressed. I put on the CD “Tales of the Ocean” from the CD series “Music for Mother & Child”, and she began to listen, and calmed down with her mother. After a short time she was asleep – and my unborn child “danced” in my womb.” (Ann, mother-to-be)
Background and objective
In the summer of 1999 the two musicians and composers, Claus D Jensen and Henrik Birk Aaboe, produced the CD series Music for Mother & Child, which contains music specially composed and designed to calm fetuses, infants, toddlers and parents. In the course of the process henrik and Claus received such exciting responses from people that they decided to undertake a private study of the effect of the music on pregnant women, infants and their parents.
They wanted to study the direct effect on fetus/infant, as well as the indirect effect: whether the music could calm down the parents, and whether the tranquillity of the parents could positively affect or be imparted to the fetus/child.
In addition to studying how the music affected the participants in the study, they wanted information on how often and when the music was used and for how long at a time. The participants were given the CDs and a questionnaire in the form of a checklist with space for supplementary comments.
Study Group
44 people participated in the 12-week study. The 44 participants were divided into three groups:
1. Mothers-to-be, some of whom gave birth during the course of the study.
2. Parents with infants and toddlers from 0-3 years of age.
3. Practitioners who work with infants and/or pregnant women.
How the music originated
The idea for the CDs arose from a common desire of the musicians to compose music that could give fetuses/infants a good start in life. For it is recognized as an extreme upheaval to leave the mother’s secure womb and suddenly face the “real” world. They wanted to compose music that could impart security and inner as well as external peace and tranquillity.
One thing that impressed the composers was that during their research they read an articleabout the widely recognized French physicist Tomatis, and learned that hearing is the first sense that is developed, and that the fetus already has a fully developed sense of hearing by the 6th month.
Conclusion of the study
Of the pregnant women questioned, 88% were positively affected by the music. Most of them described the effect with words such as “relaxing”, “calming” and the like. One found that by listening to the music her fear of the childbirth was replaced with confidence in a positive birth experience.
One created a personal space with the music, so that instead of depression she found solutions for what she could do. 79% of the pregnant women could feel a reaction from the fetus, either often or occasionally or infrequently. Several could directly perceive that the fetus was calmed and that it was responsive to the music. Two of those participating used the music during the childbirth, and they both had a positive experience with it, because the music was both relaxing and distracting.
Of the new parents questioned, 93% were positively affected by the music, and typical reactions were that the music was exceptionally relaxing and good against stress, that it was energizing, etc. No one was negatively affected.
The study shows that the music, besides having a clear effect on the fetus, had a significantly positive effect on infants and toddlers. 72% of the respondents found that the music had a positive effect on their children. Many experienced very significant and powerful reactions.
55% of the respondents noticed the positive reaction from the children immediately, while 17% replied that the reaction came after the child had heard the music several times.
The typical reactions were noticeable contentment, “a calm, listening child”, “the child is calmed”, “the child falls asleep more quickly”, etc. One replied that “the music is the ultimate medicine when my child is sick”. No one in this group noticed negative reactions to the music from their children. However there was one child who did not like the dolphin sounds.
The practitioners all noticed significant reactions not only from the children they treated, but also often from the parents. One noticed a reaction every time a child was in treatment, while the two others answered “often”. Words such as “peace”, “tranquillity”, “inner presence and calm”, that “the music produces calm and attentive children”, etc., were used to describe the children’s reactions.
As to the indirect effect on infant/toddler, which is the effect achieved when the parents are calmed and their state is imparted to the infant/toddlers, we cannot draw any certain conclusion from our study. However we refer to the section on stress, where 57% of the parents questioned believe that there is a connection between their stress and their children’s restlessness.
Since 93% believed that the music had a positive effect on the parents themselves, and reduced their stress, we can draw a guarded conclusion that the music must also have an indirect, positive effect on the children/fetus.
About the CDs
The CD series Music for Mother & Child consists of three CDs:
1. Windchimes, indicated for pregnant women, the unborn child and infants
2. Tales of the Ocean, for the 0-1 year-olds and their parents
3. Lullabies, for 1-2 year-olds and their parents
The composers talk about the CDs:
“The music on the CDs Music for Mother & Child contains elements chosen specifically to be relaxing for fetuses and infants, and elements that are more generally relaxing for all age-groups. Thus the music can be used by both the unborn, infants/toddlers and adults.
On Windchimes there are purposely long, continuous passages. Through dialogue with a reflexologist who has specialized in work with infants, we learned that the continuity is an important element for calming young children. Too many breaks in the music can be very disturbing to young children.
Therefore the CD consists of two long passages connected by light, melodious wind chimes. The music has a light and airy quality and is thought of as a soothing blanket of sound. Besides the continuous wind chimes, the instruments we have chosen are Native American drums, which according to the original Americans represent the heartbeat of Mother Earth, the human voice as a primordial instrument, and the acoustic guitar for its transparent tone. The music is composed both with an intuitive approach and a search for a balance in the harmonious structures from a more analytical angle.
Thus, among other things, Windchimes consciously consists of a melodious, five-tone structure, which is completely devoid of tension.
On Tales of the Ocean we use dolphin sounds and the sound of the waves as recurrent elements. Through the ages many people have been powerfully affected emotionally by listening to the fascinating sounds of the dolphins, and we felt that they would help give the music the right expression.
We all come from the watery element, and we quickly found that the child who is now more conscious, reacted very positively to the naturally created, soothing rhythm of the sounds of the sea.
In addition, on this CD we use Tibetan singing bowls and bells, which have a unique tone and contain an element of primordial strength, which is soothing for both children and adults. Tales of the Ocean is thought overall as a journey of the consciousness from the surface down to the deeper layer (under the sea) ending with a homecoming symbolized in the composition The Sea is my Home.
The last CD, Lullabies, is, as the name says, a sequence of newly composed lullabies, each of which tells its own little story. Compared to the other two CDs, the melodic material is significantly advanced, so they harmonize with the child’s enhanced consciousness and ability to comprehend actual melodic sequences.
At the same time we have sought to preserve the tranquil and secure atmosphere by purposely using repetition as an artistic effect. Some of the compositions on Lullabies have an almost hypnotic expression, something that naturally also influences the listening experience of the adults.”
About the composers:
Claus D Jensen is a qualified guitarist amnd composer with a degree from The Music Conservatory of Jutland. He has played professionally since 1984 and has taught at music school, college and evening school. He is involved with several scientific researches about the effect of music and relaxation audioprograms on hospitals and self hypnosis-audioprograms for pregnant.
Henrik Birk Aaboe was educated at the Musicological Institute at the University of Århus, and has taught both at the university and in music schools. In addition he functions as arranger and composer in various contexts. He has his own company, Corona Music (www.coronamusic.dk), with a recording studio and music publishing house. He has released several music collections in his own name.
Quotes from the report:
“Because of a previous traumatic childbirth, I have some fear of childbirth. The music was a centering and calming influence on me, and I had more confidence in a positive childbirth experience.” (a mother-to-be)
“If there was restlessness, the fetus became more calm when I played the music.”
(a mother-to-be)
“With sickness, when the child was restless and unhappy, this music was the ultimate medicine.” (mother of infant)
“They are delightful CDs. Not only for the mother-to-be and toddlers. Also for adults.” (reflexologist)
“My clients achieve a feeling of lightness so that they feel they are floating over the mat, and they experience a feeling of presence more quickly than with other music. For the best effect in this process I have used the CD, Tales of the Ocean.” (reflexologist)
“Wonderful stimulation against stress, hip-hop, radio commercials and such. Very relaxing!” (mother of infant)
“I relax more – drop my shoulders, etc. while nursing. Beautiful to listen to – uplifting and relaxing.” (mother of infant)
“She often becomes calmer and stops crying. She falls asleep quickly when I play the music when it is time for her to sleep.” (mother of infant)
“Our child seems more relaxed, and he appears to lie and listen because it sounds good.” (mother of infant)
“She listened quite intensely and calmed down, especially during nursing, if she was a little hysterical or over tired.” (mother of infant)
“If she cries, she stops quickly when we play the music.” (mother of infant)
“The child became calm, listening, searched a little within himself, where fantasies and dreams grow.” (mother of infant)
For more info:
www.musicformotherandchild.com
www.clausdjensen.com