Baby Sleep Music

By Kwabena Okyire Appianing •  Updated: 03/01/22 •  7 min read

There are many ways to put a baby to sleep but there’s no sweeter and easy way to put your baby to bed than with a soothing  lullaby. 

Adding music when snuggling your little one to bed can improve your child’s cognitive development. 

According to UNICEF, lullabies are very good for a baby’s development.  They help ignite multiple areas of a baby’s brain. This can prepare a child for language acquisition and reading skills. It has also been proven that the rhythm of a lullaby helps to calm babies down by slowing their heart rate. 

Here’s a list of some unique baby music you can use today.  

  1. Rock-a-Bye Baby”

This melodious nursery rhyme has lulled babies to sleep and stood the test of time. Although it may have originated in America,  this classic baby music is believed to date back to 18th-century England.  

There are many theories available as to the meaning of the lyrics which are mostly seen as mysterious but have changed over time. 

“Rock-a-Bye Baby” Lyrics

Rock-a-bye baby

On the tree tops,

When the wind blows

The cradle will rock.

When the bough breaks

The cradle will fall,

And down will come baby

Cradle and all.

  1. “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”

Coming from a poem written by Jane Taylor in 1806, this classic baby music is popular in daycares around the country.  

Thanks to the images of stars and the night sky, this song is the perfect way to evoke sleep. 

“Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” Lyrics

Twinkle, twinkle, little star,

How I wonder what you are!

Up above the world so high,

Like a diamond in the sky.

When the blazing sun is gone,

When he nothing shines upon,

Then you show your little light,

Twinkle, twinkle, all night.

Then the traveler in the dark

Thanks you for your tiny spark,

How could he see where to go,

If you did not twinkle so?

In the dark blue sky you keep,

Often through my curtains peep.

For you never shut your eye,

Till the sun is in the sky.

As your bright and tiny spark

Lights the traveler in the dark,

Though I know not what you are,

Twinkle, twinkle, little star.

  1. Frère Jacques” (or “Brother John”)

You can sign this classic French lullaby in either English or French. This classic baby music is about a friar who oversleeps.  Whether you decide to sing it in English or in French,  the repetition at the end of the song which is (“ding, dong, dang”) is curiously restful. 

“Frère Jacque” Lyrics

Frère Jacques, Frère Jacques,

Dormez-vous? Dormez-vous?

Sonnez les matines! Sonnez les matines!

Ding, dang, dong. Ding, dang, dong.

“Brother John” Lyrics

Are you sleeping? Are you sleeping?

Brother John, Brother John,

Morning bells are ringing! Morning bells are ringing!

Ding, dang, dong. Ding, dang, dong.

Read: Great Irish Names For Boys

  1. Somewhere Over the Rainbow 

This classic baby music is from the movie, wizard of Oz.  Singing this song to babies gives the hope that they may one day discover this wonderful land where dreams come true. 

“Somewhere Over the Rainbow” Lyrics

Somewhere over the rainbow

Way up high

There’s a land that I heard of

Once in a lullaby

Somewhere over the rainbow

Skies are blue

And the dreams that you dare to dream

Really do come true

Someday I’ll wish upon a star

And wake up where the clouds are far

Behind me

Where troubles melt like lemon drops

Away above the chimney tops

That’s where you’ll find me

Somewhere over the rainbow

Bluebirds fly

Birds fly over the rainbow

Why then, oh why can’t I?

If happy little bluebirds fly

Beyond the rainbow

Why, oh why can’t I?

  1. You Are My Sunshine”

This classic has been sung by many artists including Johnny Cash,  Aretha Franklin,,the Beach Boys and Bing Cosby although it was written by Charles Mitchell and Jimmie Davis in the late 1930’s. 

“You Are My Sunshine” Lyrics

You are my sunshine, my only sunshine,

You make me happy when the skies are gray.

You’ll never know, dear, how much I love you,

Please don’t take my sunshine away.

The other night, dear, as I lay sleeping,

I dreamt I held you in my arms.

When I awoke, dear, I was mistaken,

So I hung my head, and I cried.

You are my sunshine, my only sunshine,

You make me happy when the skies are gray.

You’ll never know, dear, how much I love you,

Please don’t take my sunshine away.

I’ll always love you and make you happy,

If you will only say the same.

But if you leave me to love another,

You’ll regret it all one day.

You are my sunshine, my only sunshine,

You make me happy when the skies are gray.

You’ll never know, dear, how much I love you,

Please don’t take my sunshine away.

Please don’t take my sunshine away.

  1. “A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes”

It’s important to note that this song plays on the double meaning of dream. Thus, your dreams as an expression of hopes for the future answer what happens when you sleep.  

“A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes” Lyrics 

A dream is a wish your heart makes

When you’re fast asleep

In dreams you will lose your heartaches

Whatever you wish for, you keep

Have faith in your dreams, and someday

Your rainbow will come smiling through

No matter how your heart is grieving

If you keep on believing

The dream that you wish will come true

A dream is a wish your heart makes

When you’re fast asleep

In dreams you will lose your heartaches

Whatever you wish for, you keep

Have faith in your dreams, and someday

Your rainbow will come smiling through

No matter how your heart is grieving

If you keep on believing

The dream that you wish will come true

Read: The Best Birthday Gift Ideas For Girls

  1. Good Night”

This peaceful and soothing song written by John Lennon for his son Julian is a perfect classic baby music. This song is perfect for parents to sing to Thierry little ones. 

Night.” 

“Good Night” Lyrics

Now it’s time to say good night,

Good night, sleep tight.

Now the sun turns out his light,

Good night, sleep tight.

Dream sweet dreams for me,

Dream sweet dreams for you.

Close your eyes and I’ll close mine,

Good night, sleep tight.

Now the moon begins to shine,

Good night, sleep tight.

Dream sweet dreams for me,

Dream sweet dreams for you.

Close your eyes and I’ll close mine,

Good night, sleep tight.

Now the sun turns out his light,

Good night, sleep tight.

Dream sweet dreams for me,

Dream sweet dreams for you.

Good night,

Good night, everybody,

Everybody, everywhere,

Good night !

Read: 15 Powerful Music Room Ideas In 2022

CONCLUSION

As already stated, lullabies are great for babies’ development. Lullabies are also a nice and soothing way to put your baby to sleep. They calm your baby and slow their heart rate. 

If you had no idea of what lullaby to sing to your baby, we hope you have learnt a lot and if you already knew some, we hope you have found something new to add to what you already know.

Enjoy putting your baby to sleep! 

Kwabena Okyire Appianing