Premature Babies Are Played Classical Music In Hospital

Premature babies in hospital in Slovakia are being played classical music to comfort them when away from their mums.

Doctors reckon the music – by composers like Mozart and Vivaldi - comforts newborns by acting as a replacement for their mum's voice when they are separated for treatment.

It's also thought the classical sounds help the babies breathe regularly and maintain a strong heartbeat – both vital during the first few weeks.

Dr Slavka Virgova from the project says there are even more benefits to putting headphones on premature babies and soothing them with classics:

'Music therapy helps a baby to gain weight, get rid of stress and handle pain better.'

Gives new meaning to the term umbilical 'cord', eh?