From ‘Chandamama’ to ‘Rock-a-bye Baby,’ lullabies have put many a baby into a deep state of blissful slumber.

M&B catches up on meaning and significance of lullabies and finds out what they are meant to do for baby...

Infants respond to music from the first hour they’re born. Before they can see, they can hear and so, in a very real way, the rhythms of music give their world structure, the shapes of melody give it form.

The sound of your voice makes you present, and your voice singing makes your presence continuous to them. Just as your hands hold their body, your voice holds their mind, gives the tiny hand of their attention something to grasp onto.

According to  Abigail Ferrao, Counsellor, Archdiocese and Board of Education, Goa, the primary purpose of a lullaby is to calm a child, put him to sleep, introduce the world of music, and to help in his mental development. “It also helps as a process that allows cultural symbols, like language, music, history, etc, to be passed down generations,” he says.

WHY LULLABY?
Scientific studies indicate that lullabies, when coupled with rocking and physical touch, increase vitality in babies. One study at the Brigham Young University indicated that lullabies helped preemies gain weight quicker, while another study in 2005 suggests that the simple act of bouncing a baby to a song increases the infant’s rhythmic perception. Overall, music positively affects infants (especially premature infants), physiologically by soothing them, decreasing high heartrates, and providing comfort.

Sleep therapist Dr Partha Pratim Bose from New Delhi, explains how lullabies help: “The mother sings (song and sound), holds the child on the lap (contact and bonding) and moves the lap (vibration). This combination initiates (alpha) activity in the brain which initiates sleep.”

Lullabies not only decrease stress in babies, but the act of singing lullabies can reduce the amount of stress in the singer. Studies have shown that the calming nature of lullabies has an equally calming effect on mothers. Lullabies allow mothers and babies to seal their strong biological connection while allowing mothers to express their own emotions, hopes, and fears through the lyrics of a simple song. Lullabies reveal a number of hidden thoughts and give mothers an opportunity to impress cultural and social awareness on her child. Across cultures, lullabies link mother (or grandmother or father) and child to the community and to each other.

Their first task is to reassure the child and settle him into a strong healthy sleep. This is the child’s first contact with the art, and it is very important. As Ferrao puts it, “From the psychological perspective, lullabies have three components, namely, the music, the words and the physical contact between child and mother/caregiver. The music helps the child’s mental development and acts to soothe the brain waves, making sleep possible. The words are not so important. Even though they do tell a story, the words do not have an effect on the child because they are still only unrecognised symbols to the child’s mind. Having said that, the pitch, tone and volume do remain important components. Physical contact between mother and child helps tremendously to build on the strong bond created inside the womb. Lullabies are a wonderful way of communicating to the child that he is safe and loved.”

BONDING FACTOR
They help to establish a strong link between a child and his parents. These simple songs help to show sincere feelings. They are songs which are written using the notes of pure love and connect them in tenderness harmony. Something magical is stored in a lullaby melody. It comforts, soothes, makes one forget about the pain and helps to sleep. Avers Ferrao, “Bonding with the baby is an integral part of child development. Mothers who spend lots of time with their babies have more secure and mentally healthy babies. Daddies should sing to their babies too!”

SING RIGHT!
Savour the moment. While you sing, hold your baby close as you sit in a rocker or stand and sway to the music. Let your mind clear as you enjoy the warm feelings and become one with your baby and the music. According to Ferrao, the birth process is traumatic for newborn babies to begin with. “The only constant they have inside and outside the womb is the physical (heartbeat, voice) connection with the mother. The way the mother carries her baby is also important. For maximum connection, carry your baby in such a way that your baby’s head rests on the left side of your chest (closer to your heartbeat). It is common sense that an anxious, irritable mother will only pass on her negativity over to her child. Hence, if your child is not falling asleep, you need to calm down first before attempting to sing a half-hearted lullaby to the baby,” she suggests. Singing for as little as five minutes is enough for you and baby to reap the benefits.

Don’t focus on the words or your singing ability. The words can be nonsense and the melody off-tune. Use your baby’s name or tender endearments. Chant, sing, or hum. It doesn’t matter. It’s the lulling sound and the warm, cozy closeness that makes the lullaby work. If it makes you more comfortable, play a lullaby CD in the background at a low volume and sing along with it.