A hospital in north-east France is encouraging parents of premature babies to put down their phones and sing – with opera professionals leading the way.
Mezzo-soprano Aline Martin regularly visits the neonatal unit at the Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire (CHRU) in Nancy (Meurthe-et-Moselle) as part of a programme designed to “use the human voice as a bridge between medicine and music”.
“The benefits of singing for premature babies have been well documented for years,” said paediatrician Dr Mathilde Queudet.
“It calms them, lowers their heart rate and helps them reach deep, restorative sleep.”
Mezzo-soprano Aline MartinCHRU de Nancy – Direction de la communication
Ms Martin, a member of the Opéra national de Nancy-Lorraine, performs lullabies ranging from Disney classics and nursery rhymes to sacred music such as Ave Maria and hymns including Amazing Grace.
Babies often respond in “subtle, magical ways”, she said: “Four times out of five, they fall into a deep sleep.”
France records nearly 7% of births as premature, and for these tiny patients a lullaby can be “more than comfort – it may be part of their healing”, say staff. In fact, the programme has been so successful the hospital hopes to expand the programme to reach more families.
The idea began as a collaboration between the CHRU and the Opéra national de Nancy-Lorraine two years ago, said Camille Gaume, the opera’s communications officer.
She said the project was carefully planned to ensure “the most appropriate intervention protocol”, covering vocal range, authorised decibel levels, how to approach vulnerable families, and the goals of each session.
“The aim was to integrate music - particularly the voice and singing - into the care pathway for newborns,” she said.
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The objectives include strengthening emotional bonds between parent and child, contributing to a child’s neuropsychological development, and promoting singing as a paramedical tool in neonatal care.
Launched in August 2024, the programme has already supported more than 30 babies. Alongside Ms Martin, each visit involves a hospital staff member and a member of the opera’s outreach team.
Consent is always sought and sessions depend on the parent’s willingness and the baby’s condition.
Staff say the experience brings visible comfort. Deep sleep is often seen on monitors when parents sing skin-to-skin, and Ms Martin gently encourages anxious parents to “reclaim their own voices” rather than relying on playing lullabies from YouTube.
“Parents today are always on their phones,” she said. “They don’t sing as much as before.”
Families report powerful effects. One mother, Tiphaine Robert, whose daughter Nora was born in September, says the music “brings lightness, happiness”. After the first visit, Nora was so soothed “we spent the rest of the day singing – if we stopped, she protested”.
Dr Queudet said the visits are “a bubble – a release valve” in a clinical, high-anxiety environment.
“Attachment is tested in neonatal care,” she said. “Moments like these help rebuild it.”
