New tradition for babies born in Salinas hospital begins today
Babies now born at Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital will hear their first lullaby in the facility.
Johannes Brahms’ Lullaby now plays every time a baby is born at the hospital.
The new tradition started this morning immediately following the birth of baby Erick López. Baby López was born at 8:08 am and soon after, a 15 second clip of the famous lullaby was played over the public announcement system throughout the hospital.
“This is very special, something I’ll always remember,” says María López, mother of baby Erick López. “Not only have my wife and baby received exceptional medical care at Salinas Valley Memorial but one day when my son is old enough I’ll tell him the hospital played the lullaby for the first time when he was born.”
“This is a wonderful celebration of life,” says Rafael López.
“This is going to be a very special tradition,” says Christie Gonder, RN Chief Nursing Officer. “Listening to the famous lullaby will make people smile. The melody will be uplifting to our patients, visitors, and staff-it’s a wonderful way to welcome new babies into the world.”
The lullaby will play when a baby is born between 7 am and 10 pm. It will play twice in a row when twins are delivered or three times in a row after the birth of triplets. Immediately following the birth of a baby, staff will inform the hospital operator who will then play the lullaby over the hospital’s intercom system.
Approximately 150 babies are delivered at Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital every month. In consideration of normal sleeping hours, babies born after 10 pm will be celebrated with their very own lullaby the following morning.
