Do you ever talk to your belly? Oh my – then there’s good news, your baby is the sun!
How does this sound? A little magical, isn’t it? Think about it — inside, inside, in the warmth, there’s a little human being who hears your voice. Who is soothed by your songs. Who reacts to your laughter.
Today I’ll tell you when it all starts, who it happens to, and what this incredible ability means for your baby.
The journey of the ears – When do they become hollow?
Baby’s ears start to form much earlier — but they start to function later.
Week 4 – Ears are formed. Just small dimples that appear on either side of the head.
Week 9 – The inner ear structures form the cochlea — this is the hair that is essential for balance and hearing.
Week 16 – All the ear canals are formed. But they are not yet “switched on.”
Week 18 – This is the magical moment when baby “hears” sounds for the first time!
Week 18 — The child begins to sing!
This week is very special. By week 18, your baby’s ears are so developed that they can begin to detect sound vibrations.
But here’s the interesting thing — your baby doesn’t “hear” sounds like we do. He feels vibrations first. Sound waves travel through the amniotic fluid (the water your baby is floating in) and are felt by your baby’s poor body — not by surfboard ears!
So, at first, your baby can sense sound — like someone feeling the bass at a music concert. Then, as the weeks go by, this “feeling” turns into “hearing.”
What is the first sound a baby hears?
Do you know what the first sound a baby hears is?
Your heart!
Yes, you heard right. The sound closest to a baby’s ear is your heartbeat. Lip-dub, lip-dub – this continuous, rhythmic sound is the baby’s first “lullaby”.
It’s like when a baby is played with and put to the chest – he calms down. Why? Why, wow, the sound is familiar! Wow, he’s been hearing this for 9 months!
Distant sounds that baby hears:
- The sound of your words being digested (gurgling sounds!)
- The sound of your voice
- The sound of blood flowing – like the waves of the ocean
Week 23 — Kids think your voice!
Week 18 is the surf rule. As the weeks go by, your baby’s hearing ability improves.
By week 23 – research says babies can recognize their mother’s voice in particular!
In an interesting study, newborns were exposed to their mother’s voice and the voice of a stranger — and the babies responded more to the mother’s voice! This proves that they have already discovered this voice in the womb.
So when you talk to your baby – he’s not listening to surf, he’s exploring. Your voice, your tone, your affection – it’s all being recorded in his tiny brain.
Does baby also hear the sounds of spring?
Ha! But it’s muffled — like someone talking through a wall.
The voices that are clearly heard:
- Your voice (the clearest, because it travels through the body)
- Your partner’s deep voice (deeper voices travel more clearly)
- Loud music
- Loud noises – such as horns, dogs barking
Sounds that sound muffled:
- Soft conversation
- TV noise
- Background noise
Doctors say that deep male voices are more clearly audible to babies — because low-frequency sounds travel better through fluid and tissue!
Is listening to music good for babies?
Absolutely! And it has some benefits:
1. Calming effect Soft, slow music can calm a baby — sometimes studies have shown that a baby’s heart rate slows down when listening to relaxing music.
2. Bonding When you listen to music and feel relaxed — this feeling is passed on to the baby through hormones.
3. Familiarity after birth Some studies say that newborns calm down when they hear songs played during pregnancy — as if they are “remembering” something!
What to play?
- Soft classical music
- Lullabies
- Your favorite calming songs
- Reciting the Quran (many mothers do this – it’s so peaceful!)
What to avoid?
- Avoid very loud music – especially headphones placed directly on the pet.
- Sudden exposure to loud noises
Benefits of talking to your baby
Surf music is not the best tool – your voice is the most powerful tool!
Benefits:
✅ Bonding begins – bonding begins in pregnancy
✅ Baby is calm – a familiar voice feels secure
✅ Brain development – language and vocal patterns begin to emerge.
✅ Partner can connect too – dad’s deep voice helps baby learn to separate
What to do?
- Talk to your child for a few minutes every day
- Tell them stories — any story!
- Tell them about your day
- Sing them a song in your own voice
This may all sound strange – but it’s completely normal and healthy!
Reflex response – Does the baby move at the sound?
Many moms have noticed that their baby kicks or shakes at loud noises!
What is it? It’s a startle reflex — just as we startle at sudden loud noises, so does our baby.
If there’s a loud noise — a doorbell, a shout, music suddenly playing — your baby may startle. This is completely normal and shows that your baby’s nervous system is working properly!
Quick Timeline – Sunny’s Development
| Week. | What happens? |
|---|---|
| Week 4 | Law of the ears |
| Week 9 | Inner ear without noise |
| Week 16 | The boundaries of the ear are formed. |
| Week 18 | Hears sound vibrations for the first time. |
| Week 20-24 | Sunny’s abilities advance rapidly. |
| Week 23 | He recognizes his mother’s voice. |
| Week 25+ | Sound can clearly distinguish |
| Week 28+ | Loud startle reflex |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When does a baby start hearing? By week 18, they start to feel the vibrations of their own voice. By week 24, their hearing ability is much better.
Q: Can a baby hear my voice after birth? Absolutely! Research shows that newborns can distinguish their mother’s voice from a stranger’s voice — because they learned to hear it in the womb.
Q: Is it safe to put headphones on a pet? Doctors generally advise against it — because direct sound sources can be too loud for a baby. Playing music from afar is safer.
Q: Can a baby hear dad’s voice? Yes — and some research suggests that deep male voices actually travel more clearly through amniotic fluid!
Q: Will my baby be harmed if I’m in a loud place? Normal everyday noise (traffic, TV, conversation) is perfectly safe. Surfers should avoid extremely loud, prolonged noise (such as construction sites, loud parties).
The last thing
Think about it — right now, right now, as you read this article — if you are pregnant, your baby is listening to your heartbeat. He is listening to your voice. Every sound you make — whether it is a smile, or a gurgle, or a song — is being recorded in his tiny brain.
This relationship — this connection — begins long before birth.
So tonight, when all else is said and done, put your hand on your belly, and say something to your baby. It doesn’t matter what — just say, “Wow, the sun is shining.” And he will remember.
We believe in the little heartbeat — every little moment, every little beat, every little sound — matters. 🌸
What’s a cute, dark way to talk to your child? Let us know in the comments — and follow our TikTok for more facts like this every day!
This article is for educational purposes only. Please consult your doctor for any medical concerns.
