Hospital soothes newborns by playing Mozart

A Clinic in Slovakia has found a way to comfort newborn babies that are separated from their mothers for treatment - classical music. Using regular size headphones that appear gigantic on the babies tiny heads, the maternity ward in Kosice-Saca hospital has them listening to Mozart or Vivaldi. During a recent visit to the clinic, chief Dr. Slavka Viragova said the music functions as a replacement for a mothers voice and is helping the babies breathe regularly and maintain a proper heart beat. It seems to have struck a chord with two-day-old Nela, below. Dr. Slavka Viragov, who launched the music project, claims that Mozart helps the infant to recall the mother when she is not with them. She said: 'The birth trauma is enormously stressful for the baby. Music therapy helps a baby to gain weight, get rid of stress and handle pain better. The babies listen to soothing music 5-6 times a day, from Mozart to natural forest sounds. Nurses also use the method to care for premature babies as it helps to stabilise their breathing. -DM

ePaper - Nawaiwaqt