A child’s active listening begins around the 24^th week of pregnancy, and it has thus become common for mothers to play music to their unborn children. Numerous research papers back up the idea that the baby receives wonderful cognitive benefits from music played into the womb.

But that always comes with struggles: How do you get headphones to stretch across your belly? How do you know if the volume is okay?

Adrianne Godart, a massage therapist specializing in prenatal massages, thought she’d do something about this. She developed the Lullabelly, a safer, stylish and more comfortable alternative to all the impractical methods of playing music to your child.

The Lullabelly is a kangaroo-like pouch that holds and plugs into any type of portable music player. Then, with its own speaker and built-in volume control (which has a maximum volume resembling normal conversation), it plays music at a safe, soothing level. There’s a dual-adapter so you can listen along, too, bonding all the while with your child.
                                                                                                                                       

The Lullabelly is also washable and is adjustable up to 52 inches in diameter. If you need more room to grow (who knows, you might have sextuplets!), then they’ll send you a free 18-inch, colour-matching extension strap.

Lullabelly’s website says, “Listening to music with your baby in the womb helps reduce stress during pregnancy, helps with fetal development, and creates a wonderful bonding experience. Plus playing the same music after birth helps your baby sleep better.” All with a “what the experts are saying” to back it up.

The product is delivered in the U.S., Canada and most of Western Europe. It’s a great gift idea for Christmas or birthdays and can even come gift-wrapped. Plus, you just know you’ll be mommy-to-be’s best friend if you bring it to a baby shower. Baby Alice will already have tons of socks, and you could be single-handedly responsible for her becoming the world’s next toddler musical prodigy (Lady GooGoo Gaga? I think so).
     
A quick Google search retrieves great reviews of the product — even from dads. Definitely check this one out if you or anyone you know is an expectant mother. Part of me wants to conceive a child right now just to try this thing out.•

Photos by genue.luben/Flickr