Live Music’s Affect on Premature Infants

I just came across this informative article written by the New York Times in April about music therapy with premature infants called “Live Music’s Charms, Soothing Premature Hearts.”

Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City led the research, conducted in 11 hospitals, which found that live music can be beneficial to premature babies. “The researchers concluded that live music, played or sung, helped to slow infants’ heartbeats, calm their breathing, improve sucking behaviors important for feeding, aid sleep and promote states of quiet alertness. Doctors and researchers say that by reducing stress and stabilizing vital signs, music can allow infants to devote more energy to normal development.”

The two-year study was published in the journal Pediatrics, which adds to the growing research on music and preterm babies.  Some of the babies receiving music therapy actually got to leave the hospitals a couple of days sooner than those babies not receiving music therapy which not only saved the families money but also allowed them additional time to bond with their family.

Even though I don’t currently work with preterm babies, you and I can apply some of the same principles music therapists in hospitals use to our own lives.  One thing I’m always told when I go to the doctor is that I don’t breathe deeply and steadily.  When I get massages they always complain about the same thing.  I’m one of those people whose mind is always running a million miles a minute and it’s hard to turn it all off.  It’s difficult for me to focus on breathing but it is so vital to our health and ability to relax.  Just like with infants, meaningful music can help adults decrease our stress responses and aid in sleep.

I’m putting my words to practice as I’m writing this blog post, listening to a “ocean waves” station on Pandora.   If you find yourself stressed or feeling tense, remember that music can calm the heartbeat and soothe the soul.  Try to listen to music and breathe deeply and purposefully.   Just with the infants, align your heartbeat with the slow tempo of a relaxing song.

This video highlights music therapist Angela Ferraiuolo-Thompson who works at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City.