The Rocking Chair CD has been composed with the right combination of new sounds and repetitive melodies that will stimulate your baby's development while at the same time being completely relaxing and soothing to the soul.

Rocking Chair CD Benefits:

• Relaxes your mind and emotions during pregnancy
  
• Calms and soothes your unborn child
  
• Stimulates cognitive and neurological development in your baby
  
• Play during labor as a relaxing aid
  
• As a familiar sound to impart a sense of belonging in your newborn
  
• Play while nursing to soothe you and your baby
  
• Encourages a deep appreciation for music in your child

How can music therapy help you and your baby?

Music can play an important part in all stages of pregnancy, as well as for your newborn baby.

Initially, music therapy can help to relax you during the early stages of pregnancy. When relaxed, the chemical messengers released by your brain will calm your unborn baby and impart a sense of well-being. Remember that the happiness of the mother directly affects the baby's emotions, as both share many hormones during pregnancy!

By week 25 of your pregnancy, your baby has a well developed sense of hearing and can begin to recognize sound. Music has been shown to assist in neurological and cognitive development, and early exposure to certain kinds of music may even help with the development of mathematical ability.

Furthermore, there is evidence that music played to the womb during late pregnancy may lead to children being more responsive to music after birth. Soothing music may help newborns be more relaxed and less agitated. Pre-term newborns exposed to music may have increased feeding rates, reduced days to discharge, increased weight gain, and increased tolerance of stimulation. They may also have reduced heart rates and a deeper sleep after therapy. (Chang, S. C. and Chen, C. H. "The application of music therapy in maternity nursing". Hu Li Za Zhi. 2004;51(5):61-66.)( Hicks, F. "The role of music therapy in the care of the newborn." Nurs.Times 9-20-1995;91(38):31-33.)( Kemper, K., Martin, K., Block, S. M., Shoaf, R., and Woods, C. "Attitudes and expectations about music therapy for premature infants among staff in a neonatal intensive care unit." Altern.Ther.Health Med. 2004;10(2):50-54.)( Olson, S. L. "Bedside musical care: applications in pregnancy, childbirth, and neonatal care." J.Obstet.Gynecol.Neonatal Nurs. 1998;27(5):569-575.)

If you expose your baby to music in the womb, once your baby is born, the familiar sounds will help instill a sense of security and relaxation and will help to calm a restless baby. Music can also help with the process of childbirth by relieving anxiety and stimulating the release of endorphins to combat pain.

What is Rocking Chair CD?

This especially composed CD was commissioned by our Clinical Psychologist, Michele Carelse, and contains purely instrumental music. At the time of recording, the musician was about to become a first time father, and so this CD is very special for him as well!

The music on the CD has been composed with the right combination of new sounds and repetitive melodies that will stimulate your baby's development while at the same time being completely relaxing and soothing to the soul.

How do I use the Rocking Chair CD

Although not essential, it is best to listen to Rocking Chair CD on headphones to reduce outside interferences and promote deeper and undisturbed relaxation. The CD lasts approximately one hour and should be listened to from start to finish for maximum therapeutic effect.

Soothing music is best enjoyed if you are lying or sitting comfortably in a quiet, peaceful place.  Because body temperature drops slightly during deep relaxation, wear loose-fitting clothes that are warm and comfortable.  Wearing of socks is also recommended.

When you want your baby to benefit from the music as well (from about week 25 of pregnancy), play the CD without earphones so that your baby can hear it also.

The volume does not need to be loud for your baby to hear it - the fluid in the womb is an excellent conductor of sound waves and you should play the CD at the volume of 'background music' at a volume you enjoy.

CAUTION

Do not listen to this CD while driving or operating heavy machinery.

How long until I see results?

The soothing sounds and gentle melodies will help to support serenity and harmony during the first few minutes. This feeling of calmness is further promoted throughout the relaxation session. The techniques used on the CD ensure that the state of calm and serenity continue throughout the next few days.