{"id":23160,"date":"2025-09-05T11:22:40","date_gmt":"2025-09-05T10:22:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/babywellnessfoundation.org\/news-approfondimenti\/oltre-la-madre-come-la-voce-di-una-seconda-figura-plasma-il-bonding-pre-e-postnatale\/"},"modified":"2026-01-07T10:02:29","modified_gmt":"2026-01-07T09:02:29","slug":"beyond-the-mother-how-the-voice-of-a-second-figure-shapes-pre-and-postnatal-bonding","status":"publish","type":"news-approfondimenti","link":"https:\/\/babywellnessfoundation.org\/en\/news-approfondimenti\/beyond-the-mother-how-the-voice-of-a-second-figure-shapes-pre-and-postnatal-bonding\/","title":{"rendered":"Beyond the mother: how the voice of a second figure shapes pre- and postnatal bonding"},"content":{"rendered":"

The first sound a newborn recognizes is the mother\u2019s voice, but the voice of a second caregiver<\/strong>\u2014whether male or female\u2014plays a crucial role in the bonding process and in the child\u2019s neuro-emotional development<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

This principle lies at the heart of recent research on prenatal and postnatal bonding, which shows that the consistent vocal presence of a significant figure beyond the mother fosters an early and lasting emotional connection<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Neuroscientist Steven Porges<\/strong> (2011), known for his polyvagal theory of the vagal nervous system, affirms:<\/p>\n

\u201cThe human voice has a regulatory power over the autonomic nervous system that can calm, reassure, and facilitate emotional attachment in the newborn.<\/em>\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Similarly, psychologist Marian Diamond<\/strong> (1998) emphasized:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cExposure to different voices and sounds helps create a more flexible and resilient brain.<\/em>\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Prenatal memory and voice recognition<\/span><\/strong><\/h5>\n

The fetus develops the ability to perceive and store sounds and vocal stimuli as early as the third trimester of pregnancy<\/strong>. The mother\u2019s voice, filtered through the amniotic fluid, is the most familiar and reassuring.<\/p>\n

However, the voice of a second caregiver<\/strong> (male or female) can also be recognized and recorded in the fetal nervous system<\/strong> if exposure is regular. This prenatal memory is fundamental: at birth, the newborn recognizes and responds calmly and attentively to these familiar voices<\/strong>, demonstrating that the infant brain builds early connections that influence postnatal behavior.<\/p>\n

The brain-shaping effect of voice<\/span><\/strong><\/h5>\n

One of the most fascinating aspects of voice-mediated bonding concerns its brain-shaping effect<\/strong>: a modulated, familiar voice influences the newborn\u2019s brain waves<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Neuroimaging and EEG studies show that listening to familiar voices induces an increase in alpha and theta waves<\/strong>, which are associated with deep relaxation, attention, and memory. This effect regulates cortical activity<\/strong>, promoting a neurophysiological state favorable to learning and emotional regulation. It also helps establish early neurobiological communication between the newborn and the caregiver<\/strong>. As neuropsychologist Mark Johnson<\/strong> (2019) pointed out:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cThe human voice is not just an acoustic signal, but a complex modulator that shapes brain activity and the emotional responses of the developing child.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The voice of the second caregiver: emotional stimulation and regulation<\/span><\/strong><\/h5>\n

The male voice or the voice of a second caregiver has acoustic characteristics different from the mother\u2019s<\/strong>, offering the newborn varied vocal stimulation<\/strong> that enriches the sensory repertoire and fosters neuro-emotional adaptation<\/strong>. The consistent presence of this voice helps modulate the child\u2019s stress response<\/strong>, reducing heart rate and supporting autonomic nervous system regulation through mechanisms of emotional co-regulation<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The vocal diversity provided by multiple caregivers creates a rich environment of emotional stimuli<\/strong>, facilitating the development of emotional regulation<\/strong>. In this context, the newborn experiences a stronger sense of security and belonging<\/strong>\u2014key elements for healthy, harmonious growth. Recognition and familiarity<\/strong> with the second caregiver\u2019s voice strengthen the formation of an emotional bond that goes beyond immediate physical contact<\/strong>. Speaking, singing, or simply being vocally present helps the newborn better tolerate environmental stimuli and develop greater emotional self-regulation.<\/p>\n

Finally, vocal contact<\/strong>, when combined with practices such as skin-to-skin<\/strong>, amplifies the physiological benefits<\/strong> on the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, contributing to the child\u2019s overall well-being in the first months of life.<\/p>\n

Practical applications<\/span><\/strong><\/h5>\n

Regular prenatal vocal exposure:<\/span><\/strong> the second caregiver can dedicate daily moments to speaking or singing to the maternal belly with a calm, modulated voice. This stimulates prenatal memory and provides reassuring familiarity at birth<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Active participation in medical check-ups:<\/span><\/strong> being present during obstetric visits or prenatal classes strengthens the emotional connection with the baby<\/strong> and encourages conscious involvement in future care.<\/p>\n

Postnatal vocal contact combined with skin-to-skin:<\/span><\/strong> during skin-to-skin, the second caregiver can speak or sing, creating a sensory synergy that enhances neurovegetative regulation and cardio-respiratory stability<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Daily care routines:<\/strong><\/span> talking to the newborn during ordinary moments (diaper change, bath, falling asleep) strengthens emotional presence and improves emotional regulation during critical moments<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Environmental stimulus regulation:<\/strong><\/span> the second caregiver can adjust light and noise, integrating reassuring vocal stimuli to create an environment favorable to the child\u2019s neurophysiological well-being<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Conclusions<\/span><\/strong><\/h5>\n

Prenatal and postnatal bonding mediated by the voice of a second caregiver plays a crucial role in supporting neuro-emotional development<\/strong> and strengthening early emotional attachment<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The voice is one of the first and most powerful ways through which the nervous system regulates emotion<\/strong> and promotes social connection. The brain-shaping effect further demonstrates that the familiar voice modulates cortical activity in ways that optimize emotional regulation and learning ability in the newborn.<\/p>\n

Through targeted vocal practices, combined with physical contact, it is possible to optimize the newborn\u2019s experience of security and well-being, fostering a balanced and supportive family environment.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The first sound a newborn recognizes is the mother\u2019s voice, but the voice of a second caregiver\u2014whether male or female\u2014plays a crucial role in the bonding process and in the child\u2019s neuro-emotional development. This principle lies at the heart of recent research on prenatal and postnatal bonding, which shows that the consistent vocal presence of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1447,"featured_media":22758,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"focus-approfondimento":[877],"focus-appartenenza":[],"coauthors":[794],"class_list":["post-23160","news-approfondimenti","type-news-approfondimenti","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","focus-approfondimento-bonding"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nBeyond the mother: how the voice of a second figure shapes pre- and postnatal bonding - Baby Wellness Foundation<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/babywellnessfoundation.org\/en\/news-approfondimenti\/beyond-the-mother-how-the-voice-of-a-second-figure-shapes-pre-and-postnatal-bonding\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Beyond the mother: how the voice of a second figure shapes pre- and postnatal bonding - Baby Wellness Foundation\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The first sound a newborn recognizes is the mother\u2019s voice, but the voice of a second caregiver\u2014whether male or female\u2014plays a crucial role in the bonding process and in the child\u2019s neuro-emotional development. 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