Commercially available tapes and other devices produce sounds
supposed to send babies to sleep, but it is not known whether babies
would choose to listen to them for long periods.
A device was developed which allows a baby to listen to either of
two tapes for any length of time by pulling handles suspended in the
cot. Experiments with a baby from age four months showed that she
would play various tapes for long periods and could express consistent
preferences between tapes.
The device allows for many experiments on auditory preferences in
infants. Its possible role in learning and in comforting babies during
the night is discussed.
