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
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"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."
06of 13
"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"
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"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"
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"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"
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"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"
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"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…"