New Music Therapy Program Calms Newborns in the NICU

Cedars-Sinai Guerin Children's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is embracing the healing power of music by launching a unique music therapy program.

At the crib side, a guitarist and singer serenades newborns hooked up to loud, beeping and flashing monitors. The sounds of gentle humming and guitar strumming do more than soothe a fussy baby-they stabilize vital signs, aid neurological and auditory development, and enhance the overall wellbeing of infants in the NICU.

"Music therapy is a clinical and evidence-based practice using music to address nonmusical goals," said Laura Cellini, Guerin Children's board-certified music therapist. "Listening to music can help lower and stabilize heart rate, improve oxygen saturation levels and support a more regulated, calming state for newborns."

According to Cellini, research has shown that music therapy can also help reduce NICU stays by as many as 12 days.

During a typical session in the NICU, Cellini works one-on-one with each infant, tailoring the therapy to meet every baby's individual needs. She carefully monitors each newborn's response to the music, including signs of overstimulation, and adjusts her music accordingly.

The music therapy program was made possible through a generous donation from 14-year-old twins Joey and Ryder Corleto, who spent considerable time in the NICU at Cedars-Sinai shortly after birth. Wanting to give back to the Cedars-Sinai community, the siblings chose to dedicate their bar and bat mitzvah gifts to help launch the program.

Their mother, Melissa Corleto, vividly remembers the challenges of spending time in a noisy NICU with the twins.

"When they look back at pictures of themselves as babies, it's hard for them to imagine that this is where they started-at just 2.5 and 3.5 pounds," Melissa said. "The idea of giving back to the NICU really resonated with them. As a family, we decided this was the meaningful way they wanted to give back."

Music has always played a major role in the twins' lives. Ryder is an avid drummer, while Joey is a competitive dancer. The twins said it felt natural to use their funds to help launch a music therapy program, especially one designed to soothe babies and support early brain development.

The bedside therapy sessions are also a welcome change of pace for parents and medical staff.

"The NICU can be a very traumatic and stressful environment, and music therapy helps create a sense of calm for the babies, their families and even the staff," said Ashley Richardson, RN, assistant nurse manager of the NICU at Guerin Children's.

For Jason Park, whose son Logan Park has spent more than two months in the NICU, watching his baby remain calm and relaxed as Cellini sang and played music at his bedside brought a sense of much-needed comfort and relief.

"I think the music brings a lot of joy to parents, especially for families like ours who have been here in the NICU for a long time," Park said. "When the session ended, I was actually sad to hear it stop."

Read more from Cedars-Sinai Stories and Insights: Strengthening Children's Health