In addition to supporting parents' mental wellbeing, music has been shown to help support the parent-baby relationship - what a great combo! And this is not just about music for babies but also music for parents. Many parents won't realise that their favourite music from before they had a baby can carry on playing a really important part in their lives. Move over twinkle twinkle little star!

Of course, many parents will know about singing for their baby's development. Nursery rhymes, lullabies, play songs, counting songs, etc, etc.  What is much-less talked about and shared with parents, are the benefits of music for them and their relationships with their babies.

Here are some ideas for baby watching to music, yes, really just watching our babies! Finding a few moments when things are peaceful (phew!) to sit back, pop some music on, and watch our little ones. Their breathing, their eyelids, their wriggles...and wondering what they are thinking about. Baby watching can help parents feel like they are getting to know their babies better.

Parents can also practice HEADS, HEARTS, HANDS which is parental skill linked to healthy parent-infant relationships. This skill is known as Reflective Functioning in the research evidence and it's all about mental states in ourselves and our little ones. If we can hold our babies in mind, feel and understand their feelings (without getting overwhelmed by them), and respond in appropriate ways enough - this is directly linked to our babies feeling safe and secure around us. The really good news is that we don't have to be super-duper at this skill! A little goes a long way and other adults around our children also need this skill to build secure relationships with our children (extended family, early years' staff, childminders, teachers, sports and club leaders). There's a reason for the saying that it takes a village to raise a child!!