The Carpenters saved my sanity during the first year of motherhood. Or, to be more specific, a random song of theirs that I pulled from the depths of my memory at 2 a.m. when our baby woke up yet again. In my exhausted state, I couldn’t remember any other lullaby songs for babies. When I was little, my mom had sung it to me, and there I swayed, singing the words to my own daughter, lulling us both back to sleep.
Soothing music can calm the mind, lower blood pressure, and slow down breathing. And when used as part of a bedtime routine for your baby (or naptime for your toddler), it can gently send her to sleep. If you’re looking for lullaby songs for babies, add these 17 to your playlist.
But first, make the list work for you.
Put your personal assistant to good use: “Alexa, create a lullaby playlist.” Portable playlists are the best playlists. Take these songs and add them to Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, or whatever you use. Let these lullaby songs for babies inspire you to customize a playlist for your little one that will serve as the soundtrack for this parenting season. Make it a habit to play lullabies as part of your family’s nightly bedtime routine. It can lead to better sleep all around.
Don’t just listen to these lullaby songs for babies. Sing them to your little one. He doesn’t care that you aren’t a professional singer. To him, your voice is the sweetest sound in the world. Plus, singing with your child is one way to support his language development. Go ahead. You know you already sing in the shower and when you’re in your car alone.
Start with the literal classics.
1. “Clair de Lune” – Oo-la-la. Why does everything, even “moonlight,” sound better in French? Get ready to say “bonne nuit” to your little one.
2. “Pachelbel’s Canon in D” – Did your bridesmaids walk down the aisle to this one? Now use it to walk your little one to sleepytown.
3. “Lullaby” – With a name like this, how could your little one not fall asleep?
4. “Nocturne” – Inspired by the night, this lullaby just might help your child sleep through one.
5. “The Swan” – A sweet song to lull your little bird to sleep.
Mix in some familiar songs and singers.
6. “Never Grow Up” by Taylor Swift – Warning. This song hits different when singing it to your little one.
7. “A Thousand Years” by Christina Perri – What a perfect sentiment for a mother to sing to her baby: “I have loved you for a thousand years. I’ll love you for a thousand more.”
8. “Over the Rainbow” by Israel “IZ” Kamakawiwo‘ole – Go ahead. You can’t help but imagine swaying in a hammock by the sea.
9. “They Grow Up Too Fast” by Jimmy Charles – A heartfelt reminder that although it might seem like your baby won’t ever sleep through the night, she will, and it will go by quickly.
10. “Sandman” by Ed Sheeran – You may have slow danced to a Sheeran song at prom. Now you can slow dance with your baby to a song he wrote for his: “You were loved before you had arrived, and every day that love just multiplies.”
11. “We’re Gonna Be Friends” by Jack Johnson – Did you grow up with this song from the Curious George movie? Now your little one can, too.
Borrow from your parents’ (or grandparents’) mixtapes.
12. “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” by Roberta Flack – How did you feel the first time you saw your baby’s face?
13. “They Long to Be Close to You” by The Carpenters – Hold your baby in your arms and sing along with Karen Carpenter: “Why do stars fall down from the sky every time you walk by? Just like me, they long to be close to you.”
14. “Lullaby (Goodnight My Angel)” by Billy Joel – Get right to the point with this one: “Goodnight, my angel. Time to close your eyes.”
15. “Dreamland” by Mary Chapin Carpenter – “One more kiss and you’ll be gone on your way to Dreamland.” May it be so, Mary. May it be so.
16. “The Long Day Is Over” by Norah Jones – Mama, you made it through the long day, too. You can rest now.
17. “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong – Of course, it’s a wonderful world, especially since your little one arrived.
What are your favorite lullaby songs for babies?
