Here are some ways to introduce music into your baby's life:

• Play a variety of music in your home anything from classical to country - not too loud of course.

• There are many great mobiles that combine visual stimulation with music.

• Hold your baby and gently sway or rock your newborn in time to the music - this can be a soothing activity for both of you. When my newborn daughter would go through her crying spells, singing would help me to stay calm and to soothe her at the same time.

• Sing, sing, sing! - your baby will love to hear you sing lullabies, nursery rhymes, or anything you like. (A great memory I have is hearing my husband singing football songs to our new daughter). Many people tell me they don't sing to their babies because they feel they can't sing. Your baby really doesn't mind - he or she loves you just the way you are.

• Music or singing can be used to teach babies what is happening next - lullabies for sleep time, singing "this is the way we wash your toes" at bath time, or "the wheels on the car go around and around" in the car. The possibilities are endless.

• As your baby gets older, you will see him react to music and even develop preferences.

• Young babies can have wrist or ankle rattles to move to the music.

• Older babies can enjoy a variety of instruments from rattles, bells and shakers to drums and simple xylophones.

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