The lullabies or Lullabies are the most natural way for mothers to communicate with their children. In all cultures there are lullabies, and curiously, they have a very similar melody. It is as if something inside us, leads us to calm down while we sing them and while we hear them. As I will tell you later, lullabies have multiple benefits for both the baby and the mother.
The oldest lullabies on record are from 300 BC. The reality is that sometimes mothers improvise and lullabies are being invented, hence there is a whole repertoire, similar, but also very different.
Benefits of singing to baby
Even if you have a bad voice or dysphonia your son or daughter will not care. Actually more than the quality of your harmony what interests him is your breathing and whispers. Physiologically, finding out where the song comes from contributes to the development of auditory localization, that is, the ability to recognize and locate where a noise comes from.
It is shown that there is a relationship between lullabies and language development, in such a way that babies who have heard melodies and lullabies from a very young age have better language skills.
For children it is also recommended to sing to them often lullabies, since thanks to the songs they reduce their heart rate, improve their diet and their sleep. Which means a better and faster maturation.
Sing lullabies, in this there is no discussion, it helps soothe babies. Music, we talk about calm music, helps both children and adults in stressful situations or moments of nerves. Some of the most tense situations for children and their parents are the moments of falling asleep, hence these songs are recommended in bed.
Besides singing to a baby contributes to their emotional development and the bond he has with his mother. It is not the same to put your son or daughter on a mobile with lullabies than humming them yourself. Curiously, babies prefer the song that goes away, babies prefer this specialized song that adapts to their needs, and not recorded music from which they cannot recognize the voice.
Ah! And no matter how old your child is, do not stop singing lullabies, also at nap time.
Positive aspects for the mother
Sing baby too helps mothers with postpartum depression, since the interaction occurs in two directions. A unique dialogue is established between the baby and the mother. Various studies have shown that mothers with postpartum depression they lacked sensitivity and emotional expression when singing to their babies. Even so, Babies were attracted to their voices.
Little by little, the mothers simultaneously experienced a distraction from the negative thoughts and emotions associated with depression, and at the same time they feel empowered and reciprocated.
Apart music and songs are already good therapy in themselves to cheer us up if we are down or lacking energy, which is one of the symptoms of postpartum depression. You will see how little by little there will be more verve and feeling in your lullabies.
The lullabies and literature
As we said at the beginning, lullabies are one of the oldest texts in human history. If we go back to the classical origin of the word nana, to its etymology, it comes from the Latin term "nenia" that means: cantinela or magic language.
In our language great authors and intellectuals of the stature of Federico García Lorca, Unamuno, Gabriela Mistral or Miguel Hernández have written them, and they have surely sung them to their children and nephews.
The nannies collect the knowledge of a people, his feeling, his sorrow, his enjoyment. Hence, they are so important to children as they bring them linguistic, musical and cultural associations.