Some kind words about Hushabye:

"G. has been crying most of today - I couldn't get her to sleep until she heard your lullabies!  Now she is sleeping soundly, so they do work!  I wanted to order some more CDs for a few friends as presents..  Most mums are quite desperate for any sort of help to get the baby to sleep....  I'm recommending you to everyone I know."  
Dr. EB (UK)

" I (somewhat foolishly) played Hushabye in my car - boy, is it effective ... next thing I'm in a drowsy state driving down the A303!  I can still remember experiencing the almost overwhelming instinct to sing to my babies from the moment they were in my arms, but particularly in those desperate moments of trying to get them to sleep.  And I can also remember the agony of not being able to remember the words to all those familiar songs.  This is an excellent 'library' of must-sing-to-your-children songs which you can perhaps sing along to (and pretend your voice is as beautiful as Barbara's) or just play to your baby as they are going off to sleep.  And there has to be another spin-off, perhaps your baby will learn to have a keen musical ear as a result.   Either way it's a 'feel good, do something positive for your baby' experience. 

PS I especially loved the reprise of Row Row Your Boat, best bit!
JR (UK)

"These lullabyes are beautifully sung and exquisite in their simplicity.  I would recommend them to every mother, to soothe their babies and children, and to soothe themselves!  I have been listening to them loads, not just at bedtime, as they are lovely to have on while I am in the house with my 14 month old daughter, they bring a sense of peace to our home. Thank you Barbara, they are a gift indeed! "
RC-H (UK)

"Just listened to some of the songs on the website. Absolutely beautiful <3"
SS (UK)

"When I listened to them which I did over a few nights my baby me really responded to Brahms lullaby and my granddad used to sing Scarlet ribbons to me which was very special as he was the person I felt loved by  and I haven’t heard it for ages. I thought you sang them beautifully."  
JG (UK)

"Beautiful Lullabye...you are Blessed Barbara... You are!!"  RO (UK)

"I really liked “Hush-a-bye Baby” and “Hush-a-bye”, both had a warming and soothing effect on me, of which your own song is so loving and sweet!!" 
RL (NL)

I think your cd sounds heartfelt and tender, warm and inspiring! Thats my honest feeling from hearing it! I can relax and switch off the world for the world of lullabies and being serenaded to quiet and sleep!
HB (UK)

Why singing is so important:

There are so many reasons why it's good for babies to hear music and good for EVERYONE to sing, and even though there's a ton of scientific evidence supporting improved brain / language /mathematic development in children, they never report how lovely it FEEEEELS to sing!!  So I really encourage you to learn the lullabies you like best and sing them often to your baby, your loved ones, yourself...

Of course, music is food for the soul, but if you need "scientific" encouragement:  

Research Proves Lullabies Really Do Make Children Feel Better (click link for full article from recent research done at Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital)

Why Sing With Your Baby?  (read full article here)

or if you want the full picture and have the time.. This Is Your Brain On Music by Daniel Levitin is brilliant!

Singing To Children May Help Development of Language Skills (Guardian Article):

"Parents should sing to their children every day to avoid language problems developing in later life, according to a consultant.  Too much emphasis in the early years is placed on reading, writing and numeracy and not enough on the benefits of singing, according to Sallly Goddard Blythe, a consultant in neuro-developmental education and director of the Institute of Neuro-Physiological Psychology.

Singing traditional lullabies and nursery rhymes to babies and infants before they learn to speak is "an essential precursor to later educational success and emotional wellbeing", argues Blythe in a book.  "Song is a special type of speech.  Lullabies, songs and rhymes of every culture carry the "signature" melodies and inflections of a mother tongue, preparing a child's ear, voice and brain for language.!  Blythe says in her book, The Genius of Natural Childhood published by Hawthorn Press, that traditional songs aid a child's ability to think in words.  She also claims that listening to, and singing along with rhymes and songs uses and develops both sides of the brain.  "Neuro-imaging has shown that music involves more than just centralised hotspots in the brain, occupying large swathes on both sides", she said.

Growing numbers of children enter nursery and school with inadequate language and communication skills, according to the National Literacy Trust, often because their parents have not helped them develop communication skills.  Blythe believes that singing to and later, with a child is the most effective way to transform the way they communicate.

"Children's response to live music is different from recorded music", she said.  "Babies are particularly responsive when the music comes directly from the parent.  Singing along with a parent is for the development of reciprocal communication."

Beverley Hughes, the former children's minister who established a national curriculum to set down how babies are taught to speak in childcare from the age of three months, agreed that nursery rhymes can "boost child development".

Hughes cites research showing that music and rhyme increase a child's ability in spatial reasoning, which can enhance a child's mathematical and scientific abilities.

"Singing nursery rhymes with young children will get them off to a flying start", she said.

Daniel Dwase, editor of the online Child Development Guide, agreed that nursery rhymes set to music can aid a child's development.  But, he added, teaching a child to dance is also important. 

"Music assists in the development of a child's speech," he said.  "Singing nursery rhymes and simple songs teaches children how language is constructed and assists with the acquisition of language.  Singing songs with your child will also teach them about tone, beat and rhythm.

"Even better than just singing, though, is to teach songs with actions and encourage your child to dance along to the music, they will learn balance, co-ordination, body awareness and rhythm," he said."

The Guardian Article - Life and Style 08 May 2011 by Amelia Hill

Babies Soothed by Sound 

Music can relieve pain and aid feeding newborn babies, experts say.

Even circumcision hurts less, an analysis of nine trials found.
And it eased the pain premature babies felt from procedures such as heel-prick blood tests.
Some of the studies showed music could help premature babies struggling with feeds.
But more rigorous tests are needed before recommendations are made on the use of music in hospitals to help babl develop, researchers at the University of Alberta, Canada, write in the Archives of Disease in Childhood.  They reviewed trials published between 1989 and 2006.
Many of the studies found that muisc helped babies, revealed in their measurements of heart rate, oxygen saturation and pain levels."

Article from The Express (28th May 2009)