Premature babies feel less pain during procedures when they hear their mother's voice 

Study author said research might not only help parents, by highlighting that they can play an important role while their baby is in intensive care, but also benefit the infants. File picture

Premature babies appear to feel less pain during medical procedures when they are spoken to by their mothers, researchers have found.

Babies that are born very early often have to spend time in neonatal intensive care units, and may need several painful clinical procedures. The situation can also mean lengthy separation from parents.