These Bedtime Songs Might Help Your Child Sleep More Soundly (2024)

There's more than one reason why caregivers have been singing lullabies to babies since the dawn of time. Bedtime songs promote soothing and bonding, and they have many other benefits as well.

Babies are hard-wired to process music differently than speech starting at birth, and research shows that singing to babies can help them calm their bodies, regulate their emotions, and stimulate language development. Lullabies, in particular, have universal elements that relax babies—even when they're unfamiliar with the words or melody.

The next time you find yourself helping your baby settle in for sleep, give one of these classic or modern bedtime songs a try.

Benefits of Bedtime Songs

Singing is more than just a sweet way to connect with your baby (though that is reason enough to break out in song, in our opinion). Here are some benefits of nighttime songs:

  • Calms them for sleep
  • Stimulates language development
  • Helps regulate emotions
  • Promotes bonding with the caregiver

01of 13

"Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" (Based on the Poem by Jane Taylor)

Based on a 19th-century poem, this song has the same melody as "The Alphabet Song."

"Twinkle, twinkle, little star, How I wonder what you are! Up above the world so high, Like a diamond in the sky!"

02of 13

"You Are My Sunshine" (Various Artists)

A beloved lullaby and a hit song for musicians like Ray Charles and Bing Crosby, this melancholy tune has a memorably sentimental chorus:

"You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. You make me happy, when skies are gray."

03of 13

"Rolling in the Deep" by Adele

This isn't your typical lullaby, but it works all the same. Adele's ballads make for surprisingly great sing-along songs. Croon it yourself, or play the baby-fied version from Modern Lullabies: Pop Songs for Babies.

04of 13

"A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes" From Disney's Cinderella

Many parents use Disney movie ballads as bedtime songs, and this one is no exception. Most recently sung on the silver screen by actress Lily James in the live-action remake of the 1950 Disney classic, "A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes" makes for a lovely lullaby.

05of 13

"Frère Jacques" (French Nursery Rhyme)

With lyrics in both English and French, this short, classic lullaby gets right to the point: Are you sleeping? Sing it until the answer is finally yes.

In French:

"Frère Jacques, Frère Jacques,
Dormez-vous? Dormez-vous?
Sonnez les matines, sonnez les matines
Ding ding dong, ding ding dong."

In English:

"Are you sleeping, are you sleeping?
Brother John, Brother John?
Morning bells are ringing, morning bells are ringing
Ding ding dong, ding ding dong."

"Hush Little Baby" (American Folk Song)

This charming cause-and-effect song about a parent trying to calm their baby with gifts is full of silly accidents and sweet intentions:

"Hush, little baby, don't say a word,
[Mama's/Papa's] gonna buy you a mockingbird.
And if that mockingbird won't sing,
[Mama's/Papa's] gonna buy you a diamond ring."

It's also a great nighttime song for improvisation. A few lines in, you'll probably need to make up some rhymes of your own!

07of 13

"All of Me" by John Legend

Sure, John Legend's chart-topper was originally written for wife Chrissy Teigen. But the star has reportedly sung it to their daughter, Luna, and the love song works just as well as a bedtime lullaby.

"Cause all of me
Loves all of you
Love your curves and all your edges
All your perfect imperfections"

08of 13

"The Alphabet Song"

Talk about mixing learning and fun! "The Alphabet Song," sung to the tune of "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star," is short and easy to remember.

"A-B-C-D-E-F-G,
H-I-J-K-L-M-N-O-P,
Q-R-S-T-U-V-W-X-Y and Z.
Now I know my A-B-Cs,
Next time won't you sing with me."

09of 13

"Beautiful Boy" by John Lennon

Written for his son, Sean, John Lennon's sweet song is a comforting ode to the love between parent and child. Sing or play it to soothe a crying baby—or your own new-parent nerves.

"Close your eyes
Have no fear
The monster's gone
He's on the run and your daddy's here
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful
Beautiful boy
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful
Beautiful boy"

10of 13

"Upside Down" by Jack Johnson

Sing-A-Longs and Lullabies for the film Curious George, Jack Johnson's album of songs from the 2006 film, is jam-packed with soothing tunes that are fun for parents and babies alike. Stream the whole set, or learn the lyrics to "Upside Down," the catchiest of the bunch. It may be your baby's new favorite bedtime song!

"Upside down
Who's to say what's impossible and can't be found?
I don't want this feeling to go away"

11of 13

"My Love, My Life" by ABBA

ABBA's ballad may not have been one of the Swedish band's greatest hits, but the tear-jerker stole the show in the 2018 hit movie Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again. Sung by the two main characters and Meryl Streep, this ode to their children is as sweet as it is catchy.

"Like an image passing by, my love, my life
In the mirror of your eyes, my love, my life"

12of 13

"Isn't She Lovely" by Stevie Wonder

Stevie Wonder's hit song, celebrating the birth of his first daughter, is the perfect bedtime melody for awe-struck parents. The sweet lyrics echo Wonder's thoughts as his girl slept:

"Isn't she lovely
Isn't she wonderful"

13of 13

"Wiegenlied (Brahms' Lullaby)" by Johannes Brahms

First published in 1868, "Wiegenlied," known as Brahms' Lullaby, remains a classic bedtime song for babies. Stream the orchestral version, or sing or hum it for yourself.

"Lullaby, and goodnight, go to sleep little baby…"

These Bedtime Songs Might Help Your Child Sleep More Soundly (2024)

FAQs

What kind of music helps kids sleep? ›

A study on the impact of soothing background music on the quality of sleep learned that children who listen to relaxing background music at bedtime had superior sleep quality. Another research determined that calming classical music is a helpful intervention in easing sleep disorders.

What is scientifically the best song for sleep? ›

From the Mindlab study:
  • “Weightless” by Marconi Union.
  • "We Can Fly" by Rue du Soleil.
  • "Mellomaniac (Chill Out Mix)" by DJ Shah.
  • "Electra" by Airstream.

What music promotes deep sleep? ›

As per studies, slow music or classical music is more relaxing that can help you sleep. Classical music or instrumental music can help slow the pulse and decrease levels of stress hormones. Relaxing music triggers changes to the body and, in many ways, mimics a sleepy state.

Should kids listen to music at bedtime? ›

A study on the effects of background music and sleep quality found that children who listen to background music at naptime and bedtime had improved sleep quality. Another study concluded that “relaxing classical music is an effective intervention in reducing sleeping problems.

What sound helps kids sleep? ›

If you're considering sleep sounds for toddlers, the sound of a “whooshing” ocean not only signals calm and safety, but because it's reminiscent of the sounds they heard in their mother's womb, this sound in particular can help small bodies drift off to happy slumber.

What is the best music to calm a child down? ›

  • a thousand years (lullaby) Christina Perri. ...
  • Dream a Little Dream. Lisa Loeb. ...
  • The Rainbow Connection (from the Sony Wonder album "Return to Pooh Corner" LT/LK 57674) Sarah McLachlan. ...
  • Hush, Little Baby. Shawn Colvin. ...
  • Three Little Birds. Bob Marley. ...
  • Growing Up (feat. ...
  • What I Never Knew I Always Wanted. ...
  • Somewhere over the Rainbow.

What is the number one sleep song? ›

When a researcher and a musical group teamed up with sound therapists from the British Academy of Sound Therapy, they claimed to compose a song that is scientifically proven to alleviate stress and anxiety. The track Weightless, by the band Marconi Union, has been dubbed, “the world's most relaxing song.”

What song puts you to sleep the fastest? ›

Classical music's steady tempo and natural ebb and flow closely mimic our restful sleep patterns. Familiar orchestral pieces also lightly engage the mind to distract circular thoughts. Try peaceful composers like Chopin, Satie, Mozart, or Debussy. Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata and Mozart's Piano Concerto No.

What music calms down anxiety? ›

Sounds of rain, thunder, and nature sounds may also be relaxing particularly when mixed with other music, such as light jazz, classical (the "largo" movement), and easy listening music.

What is the most calming music to sleep to? ›

Soft jazz, classical music, gentle instrumentals, guitar, piano strings, and songs with a moderate beat tend to be most effective for relaxation.” Explore ambient sounds. Some people may find that certain ambient sounds or static noise can be a tool for sleep.

What sleep sounds help with anxiety? ›

For some, the mere rustle of leaves in a gentle breeze or the rhythm of raindrops on a windowpane can evoke peace. For others, sounds that impact the brain waves like white noise, pink noise, or nature soundscapes can be helpful.

Should kids watch TV at bedtime? ›

More recent studies that include all screen-based media (like tablets and smartphones) have also found bedtime screen viewing leads to more sleep problems for kids of all ages. Not only do these kids get less sleep, they score lower on quality of life assessments.

Should you sing your child to sleep? ›

It helps the baby connect, communicate, move, relax, coordinate, and feel pleasure. Lullabies calm down babies and put them to sleep. It is a soothing song with the perfect balance of rocking music that lures the baby into sleep. Nursery rhymes have been a time-tested bedtime routine by parents over the years.

Should kids have phones at bedtime? ›

Screen time and digital technology use before bed can affect when children and teenagers fall asleep and how well they sleep. You can reduce these risks by encouraging children to avoid screens in the hour before bed. It's best to keep phones and other digital devices out of bedrooms at night.

What genre of music helps you sleep? ›

Typical genres of music used for sleep (sedative music) include classical music, ethnic music, ambient music, meditation music and lullabies, although researchers have recognised a wide diversity of music genres aiding sleep.

What music is good for kids brains? ›

At times we include music that provides more challenging temporal structures, for example; waltzes (triple metre) and classical music, especially music by Mozart, Vivaldi and other music from the Baroque period, as is very stimulating to the developing brain.

Can certain music help you sleep? ›

Any type of music can potentially help with sleep

“A lot of studies include relaxing classical or ambient songs. But one study showed that the music participants picked out themselves — including video game and pop music — helped just as much as an album called 'The Most Relaxing Classical Music,'” Koskey said.

What kind of music do children like to listen? ›

Children like many kinds of music, especially if they are exposed to music at home. The youngest children like lullabies, nursery rhymes, marches, and singing. They also like to play rhythm instruments. Most children like singing games—-”Ring Around the Rosie”, and songs they can move to—-”"Hokey Pokey”.

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