Having a Baby

Wade into the warm, welcoming sounds that greet new visitors to the planet. No, we're not talking science fiction here — these are tunes tailor-made for bringing a baby into the world. Both mother and child will feel comfortably cradled in the arms of the "Angel" who Sarah McLachlan calls down from the heavens to make our world seem a little bit safer and softer. On the equally angelic "Blue In Green," Miles Davis' sweet, singing trumpet tone must be the closest a man-made instrument can come to echoing the unguarded cry of a newborn babe making its grand entrance. And what baby-in-waiting would refuse Norah Jones' creamy, cooing invitation to step into something new and wondrous on "Come Away With Me"? In Next Steps, set the scene for that special guest with doo-wop dreams and architects of ambience.

If you're bringing a few precious pounds of brand-new human into the world, you need songs that generate a gentle, lighter-than-air atmosphere, to give the little guy or gal a soft place to land and help Mom stay stress-free. The feathery feel of Brian Eno's ambient expedition "Taking Tiger Mountain" whisks you up to an airy plane of peaceful vibes and pastoral scenes. Air's ruminative stroll "Alone in Kyoto" accompanies Scarlett Johansson on a walk through the cherry blossoms in Lost In Translation — and it works wonders at the end of your own weary-eyed day. And the Fleetwoods could be cooing their message and heart-tugging harmonies straight from the expectant to the expected on the dew-dappled doo-wop of "Come Softly to Me." Feel the parental life-force flowing soft but strong through Deep Cuts.

Baby's on the way, and while someone's wiping the brow of the mama-to-be and whispering words of empowerment, be sure to back it up with music comforting enough to make the whole big adventure feel like a walk in the park. Let your body lock into the long, low tones that drift across the Deep Listening Band's "From Now On" like seagulls slowly surveying the ocean from above. Tap into the sense of childlike wonder at the heart of the tinkling piano and singing strings of Ennio Morricone's Cinema Paradiso theme. And listen closely when Linda Ronstadt puts an unmistakably maternal spin on her twinkling, lullaby-like version of the old girl-group hit "Be My Baby," shifting the focus front-and-centre on that special delivery you're waiting for.

You wouldn't throw a dinner party or ask someone to dance without making sure the right music was playing, so why would you let the most important event of your life occur without settling on a surefire soundtrack? Having a baby requires sounds soft and reassuring enough to keep you on an even keel during the most daunting task you're ever likely to encounter, but solid enough to stand as a sonic pillar of support. So, from the new-age ivory impressionism of George Winston to the synth-frosted ambient pop of Air, we've bundled up the most amiable audio companions possible for your baby's big journey — and yours. All you've got to do is make a place in the delivery room for the sounds that say, "Welcome aboard" to the newest member of your crew.