For parents

For Parents in the NICU

Ways of Providing Music to Your Baby in the NICU

Humming - Holding your baby skin to skin and chest to chest (kangaroo care), hum quietly to your baby. You can hum or ahh, the melody of a song or just vocalizations.

Singing - Sing a lullaby to your baby. A lullaby can be any song that is sung slowly, quietly, and with a steady, unchanging tempo.

Sing their name - Sing quietly your baby’s name while holding them chest to chest.

Record your voice - Make a recording of your voice to play to your baby when you cannot be there with him. Read a story or poem, talk or sing.

Babies in the NICU are going through a crucial time in their lives and its important to be educated about how to handle your child safely. Babies who are born prematurely

Mothers and fathers play an integral part in their infant’s progress while in the NICU.

Recommended Websites:

Lullaby Link: http://www.lullaby-link.com/

NICU Parent Support: www.nicuparentsupport.org

My Baby Fingers: http://www.mybabyfingers.com/ (Sign language for infants)

Research:

Collins SK, Kuck K. Music therapy in the neonatal intensive care unit. Neonatal Netw. 1991 Mar;9(6):23-6.

Marwick C. Music hath charms for care of preemies. JAMA. 2000 Jan 26;283(4):468-9.

Sagario D. Technology, music therapy give preemies an edge: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. June 11, 2007. Des Moines

Recommended Products:

Sleep Sheep - Plays soothing sounds for better sleep

Voted Best Quality Sounds

Sleep - Mother’s Heartbeat
The comforting sound of a mother’s heartbeat

Calm - Spring Showers

Sounds of falling rain create a cozy atmosphere

Sleep - Ocean Waves

Drift off to the calming rhythm of the ocean

Relax - Whale Songs

Whale sounds relax mind, body and spirit

Recommended Lullabies and CDs -

Note: These CDs are recommended for use with infants that are that are at home. It is recommended that you select appropriate songs from these CDs for use in the NICU or consult with a Music Therapist. (See guidelines for music in the NICU below.)

A female voice is preferred over a male voice.

Guidelines for music in the NICU:

•Music must be played or sung at or below 65 db scale C - 55db scale A; and at 60bpm
•Music should have a constant volume, stable rhythm, and sung in higher vocal ranges
•Music should be sung a cappella or with only one instrument
•Premature infants respond best to lullabies - slow, repetitive, soft, predictable, non-alarming
•Should be provided individually to infant and not to whole NICU; and culturally sensitive
•Should be female or child’s voice, especially that of the mother to promote bonding
•Should be limited to 1 1/2 hours total in a day; 20-25 min segments