Research: Application of Music Therapy to Enhance Parent-Infant Relationship

De l’Etoile SK. Infant-directed singing: a theory for clinical intervention. Music Therapy Perspectives.2006; 24:22–29.
This literature review supports the idea that infant-directed singing may have therapeutic value for at-risk mother/infant pairs.

Nakata T, Trehub SE. Infants’ responsiveness to maternal speech and singing. Infant Behavior and Development. 2004; 27: 455–456.
Authors in this study conclude that the stereotype and repetitiveness of maternal singing may promote moderate arousal levels, which sustain infant attention, in contrast to the greater variability of speech, which may result in cycles of heightened arousal, gaze aversion, and re-engagement. The regular pulse of music can also enhance emotional coordination between mother and infant.