Music might reduce newborns’ pain during medical procedures

The soothing tones of a classical lullaby may help to relieve the pain newborns can feel from routine medical procedures. The mellifluous method could be a beneficial addition to other pain-easing tactics.

In a randomized clinical trial at a hospital nursery, newborns received a sugar solution — a standard method to lessen pain — before a heel prick. Around half of the infants also had a classical lullaby playing from speakers near their beds before, during and after the procedure. The lullaby group scored lower on a newborn pain scale at the time of the prick and after, compared with the group that only got sugar, researchers report August 29 in Pediatric Research.