A song for baby, a song for mum Scientists reveal singing helps new mothers beat depression

It is one of the simplest pleasures in life but, scientists suggest, singing can ease the anguish of new mums suffering post natal depression.

Researchers in London say singing groups have significantly reduced symptoms and said Scotland should introduce similar schemes.

Results from the London-based research found that simple singing groups could see their symptoms significantly reduce far more quickly than with usual care.

Now one organisation – Breathe Arts Health Research – has put the findings into practice by launching singing workshops in the city.

With postnatal depression thought to hit one in eight new mums, doctors say early recovery is crucial.

Principal investigator for the research Dr Rosie Perkins said: “Postnatal depression is debilitating for mothers and their families, yet our research indicates that for some women something as accessible as singing with their baby in a group could help to speed up recovery.

“But this is only one study and the first of its kind as far as we know.

“Based on its findings, I would like to see more research and initiatives – like that of Breathe Arts Health Research – in other contexts and in other countries, such as Scotland.” Published in the British Journal of Psychiatry, the research was led by the Centre for Performance Science, a partnership between the Royal College of Music and Imperial College London, and funded by the Arts Council England Research Grants Fund. Dr Daisy Fancourt of University College London and lead author on the study said: “Many mothers have concerns about taking depression medication while breast-feeding and uptake of psychological therapies with new mothers is relatively low. “So these results are really exciting as they suggest that something as simple as referring mothers to community activities could support their recovery.”