Your Own Prenatal Classroom and teaches parents how to stimulate their unborn babies through music and other exercises at his Prenatal University in Hayward, California, says because the fetus followed the rhythm of the symphony, it's obvious he learned something about the rhythm and enjoyed it. Add your comments to the bottom of this page. You have two options. If you go the headphone route, or decide to place a cassette player or speaker near your abdomen, Dr. Van de Carr says you should limit it to no more than an hour a day, since the music is up close and may overstimulate the baby. Some experts, such as Dr. DiPietro, say you should avoid this method altogether.
Amniotic fluid is actually a good conductor of sound.
She also recommends classical music. Mozart's symphonies are excellent, says Dr. Pratt, because they have the right mix of new sounds and repetition, which she believes babies may enjoy. But, she adds, most anything will do, as long as the music isn't discordant like some of the rap, grunge, or hard rock songs played on today's pop stations. Animal studies show that constant exposure to chaotic, discordant music negatively alters the brain's structure, says Dr. Pratt. Even plants seem to abhor this type of music.