Do new borns recognixe mum's voice at birth
What a fascinating question!
Research suggests that newborn babies are indeed able to recognize their mother's voice from birth, but the extent of this recognition is still a topic of debate among scientists.
Studies have shown that newborns as young as a few hours old can distinguish their mother's voice from other voices, including those of other women. For example, a study published in the journal "Infancy" in 2001 found that newborns were able to recognize their mother's voice and respond differently to it compared to other voices.
One way researchers have tested this is by playing recordings of different voices to newborns and measuring their brain activity or behavioral responses. In these studies, newborns have been found to:
- Show increased brain activity in response to their mother's voice, indicating greater attention and interest.
- Respond differently to their mother's voice, such as by turning their head or eyes towards the speaker.
- Display a " preference" for their mother's voice, meaning they spend more time listening to it or responding to it.
However, it's important to note that this recognition is not necessarily a conscious or intentional process. Newborns may not be able to consciously identify their mother's voice or understand its significance, but rather respond to the unique acoustic characteristics of her voice, such as pitch, tone, and rhythm.
Additionally, while newborns may be able to recognize their mother's voice, this recognition may not be as robust or long-lasting as it is in older children and adults. As babies develop and mature, their ability to recognize and process speech and voices becomes more sophisticated.
In summary, while the evidence suggests that newborns can recognize their mother's voice from birth, the extent and nature of this recognition are still being studied and debated by researchers.