1. The baby doesn’t understand English (although they can recognise the rhythm and sounds of language).

2. The mother understands English

3. The baby experiences the same emotions as the mother.

In conclusion, read something that will make the mother relaxed and happy. If that happens to be The Cat In The Hat, then great. I read Don Quixote when my wife was pregnant with our first, our second got Moomin and Hairy Maclary (by virtue of being there when I read to the first).

The most important thing is to keep reading to them, every day, after they’re born too. Buy tons of children’s books (for your own sanity), do the voices and have fun with them.

I really don’t believe either of those things will do anything at all.

Wat

Kids don’t live in wombs

Why would you do this when you could just as easily have them listen to WeFunk! Radio, the funkiest internet radio around, for free?

Just talk to the baby and play them calm music. The type may matter but what is most important is you interact in some way.

Music of any type would be infinitely more impactful than random words.

Fwiw, my mom had a similar debate and decided classical music instead. Came from some company called baby beethoven. So I’m biased but I think music is probably best. Words won’t really be understood anyway just tones. No angry sounds around baby.