What is a bola? The pregnancy necklace with a chime explained

A bola is a long pregnancy necklace with a hollow pendant that holds a tiny chime inside. It hangs at belly height and gives a soft, harmonious tinkling sound with every movement. From around week 20 of pregnancy your baby can hear sounds from the outside world — and gets used to this exact little sound. After the birth your baby recognizes the chime, which is why a bola still soothes then too. No wonder it is one of the most popular baby shower gifts.

Where does the bola come from?

The bola (also called a pregnancy chime or angel caller) comes from Indonesia and Mexico, where the "llamador de ángeles" — angel caller — has been worn by expectant mothers for generations. Tradition holds that the soft sound calls in a guardian angel to watch over mother and child. The modern bola sticks to what demonstrably works: a familiar, soothing sound for your baby — both before and after the birth.

How does a bola actually work?

Inside the hollow pendant sits a small metal ball or chime bar that tinkles softly as you move — not loud enough to bother you, but audible to your baby. Amniotic fluid carries sound well: from around 20 weeks your baby picks up the chime every time you move. Wearing the necklace daily turns that sound into a familiar ritual. After the birth you can hang the bola on the crib or stroller (out of reach) or wear it while feeding — the familiar little sound reminds your baby of the safe time in the womb.

EUR 21.95

1. Bora — the classic bola

A timeless round bola pendant on an 80 cm (31.5 inch) chain with 7 cm (2.75 inch) of extension, so it keeps hanging at belly height right through the third trimester. Gold-plated premium stainless steel: waterproof and hypoallergenic, so you can wear it every day — in the shower too. The entry-level bola, in luxury gift packaging.

EUR 39.95

2. Suna — bola with a star

The same soothing effect, but with a little star on the pendant — for anyone who wants to wear the bola as a piece of jewelry in its own right. The star detail makes it a favorite as a new-baby gift: "for the little star on the way". Also 80 cm (31.5 inches), with an adjustable length.

EUR 34.99

3. Bella — bola with a heart pendant

The most romantic of the three: a heart-shaped bola with a soothing sound. Popular as a baby shower or gender reveal gift, and once the pregnancy is over the heart simply stays a beautiful long necklace. Like the other bolas it is waterproof, hypoallergenic and comes in luxury gift packaging.

When do you start wearing a bola — and when do you stop?

You can wear a bola from the moment your bump starts to show, but the "listening effect" begins around week 20, when your baby's hearing is developed enough. Many mothers wear the bola right up to the birth and go on using it for months afterwards: while feeding, or hanging from the stroller (always out of reach of small hands — a bola is jewelry, not a toy). And honestly: a beautiful bola is something you simply carry on wearing as a long necklace.

Love, the Lundholm team