For babies born prematurely, the earliest days and weeks of life can be filled with uncertainty, medical care and time spent in hospital. For their parents and carers, it can be an emotional and stressful experience. But even in these challenging circumstances, music can offer a brief moment of calm or connection.
Today, on World Prematurity Day, it’s an opportunity to raise awareness of the challenges and impact of premature birth, and to recognise the special moments that live music can bring to neonatal wards.
Research shows that live music can help babies that are seriously ill to feel less stressed and increase their oxygen levels. It can also help babies sleep more deeply, which can contribute to them spending less time in hospital.
We see first-hand the difference that live music can make to babies, parents or carers and staff. Our musician Mica Bernard explains: “When I’m singing to the baby, I can literally see their heart rate calming down or their oxygen increasing. I think it goes to show just how built in music is for human beings.”
Through our Lullaby Hour approach, we bring live music into neonatal wards, giving babies and their parents or carers the opportunity to share special moments together, even during what can be an uncertain and challenging time.
Between April 2025 and March 2026, we shared 82 hours of live music in neonatal wards across the UK through Lullaby Hour.
Another of our Lullaby Hour musicians, Elkie Jeffery, describes one particularly special moment during a session: “I then went over to couple whose baby seemed to be moving to the music, they explained to me that they thought he was dancing, which was really sweet. The last song of the session I played You Are My Sunshine and some of the parents and staff started singing along, by the end of the song everybody in the room was singing along. It was really a lovely moment.”
This World Prematurity Day, we’re celebrating the small but meaningful moments that live music can bring to neonatal wards, helping babies and their families feel calmer, more connected and supported.
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