It’s a lovely idea that you can have a calm baby simply by playing them classical music – is it really that easy?

Well, it may not be quite that easy, but there is evidence that even before they are born, babies can hear music and may be calmed by hearing familiar, gentle classical music. It’s certainly true that some schools have found that young children are quieter and better at learning when classical music is played to them.

From about 20 weeks after conception it seems that unborn babies can hear and respond to sounds, and once they have arrived, by about three months they may respond to music – by six to nine months you will be quite positive that you can see them moving to music and making sounds to sing along.

Some experts think that music stimulates brain development, which is why it has this beneficial effect on babies and small children and it may even help to boost IQ, although no-one’s managed to prove this yet.

It’s easy enough to do though – get yourself some classical music and play it to your baby, and see if it makes a difference to them. You never know, you may find its one of the best things you did – and you might find that you come to enjoy the music too.

And does it work with heavy rock? Well, the jury’s out on that one, but as babies from newborn have a very strong startle and fright reflex to sudden sounds, it may not be the best way to go.