Well, maybe. Habituation is the scientific term for the process of becoming accustomed to a stimulus. You experience habituation when you are repeatedly exposed to something to the extent that you no longer notice it, like going to sleep listening to the sound of the fan at night, for example. A new study conducted by obstetricians at Maastricht University Medical Center in The Netherlands indicates that a fetus 30 to 38 weeks old can become habituated to repeated stimuli after about 13 to 14 repetitions of the stimuli.
This has implications for the continuing study of memory in humans, as researchers attempt to define the limits of the mind. Reading this article, the first thing that popped into my mind was the idea that by introducing a soothing stimulus to a fetus and repeating it at regular intervals throughout its gestation, it might be possible to create a reliable sleep response in a newborn child. And if there’s anything I remember with certainty from the early days of my son’s life, it’s that he was an awful sleeper.
Sleep is a precious commodity to new parents. So if there were a way to help ensure a somewhat regular supply of it, wouldn’t you try it? Expecting mothers and fathers, do yourselves a favor: pick something that 1) you think might have a soothing effect on a newborn, and 2) can be had or done with a minimum of fuss. Ideally, something easy to set up and portable, so you can do it anytime and anyplace you’d need to. Try this out! It couldn’t hurt, and it might pay dividends.
Comments
No comments.