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Baby lullaby songs have been used by parents as part of their nighttime routine for generations, and every family often has their own opinion on the best lullaby for baby. Chances are you have a certain lullaby song, lullaby lyrics, or nursery rhyme from your childhood that evokes a sense of nostalgia, joy, or calmness that you want to bring to your own baby’s world.
While the often catchy and repetitive lullaby lyrics are fun to sing with your baby at any time of day, singing lullaby songs with your baby at bedtime have added benefits, which may be surprising.
In this article we share the benefits of singing baby lullabies, what is a lullaby that always works on babies (in our experience), how lullaby songs can support healthy sleep, and our list of 30 baby lullaby songs, and lyrics, to add to your nighttime routine.
Benefits of Singing Lullabies for Babies to Go to Sleep
Baby sleep music and their repetitive words and rhyming have any benefits to help babies goes to sleep.
- Signal it’s time for sleep when used as part of a routine
- Reduce overstimulation before bed
- Strengthen parental bond, which supports their sense of safety
- Helps emotional regulation (along with language and communication skills)
- Can be a reset after a busy day
- Supports predictability when used as part of a calming bedtime routine
According to sleep consultant Mandy Treeby, co-founder of the Smart Sleep Coach by PampersTM app, babies start recognizing patterns as early as six weeks. When you sing a lullaby song at night as part of your baby’s consistent nightly bedtime routine, the comfort of hearing the same simple lullaby lyrics and melody every night can relax your baby and promote a better night’s sleep. Plus, coupled with the app’s schedule recommendation, a bedtime lullaby can increase the chances of your baby falling asleep faster – and staying asleep longer.
How to Use Lullabies for Sleep
How to use lullabies for sleep is to incorporate them into your bedtime routine or naptime routine.
Since babies thrive on consistency, singing a lullaby song every night before bed, or before every nap, can cue to your little one that it’s time for sleep.
Lullaby songs can also soothe your baby and get them calm and ready for sleep.
Top 30 Baby Lullabies and Lyrics
If you’re looking for a baby sleep music and bedtime lullabies, or are curious to learn more about one you already sing, here is our list of 30 baby lullabies, in no order, including common lullaby lyrics, that can be great additions to your consistent and relaxing bedtime routine.
1. “Cradle Song" (Brahms’s Lullaby) or "Wiegenlied”
“Cradle Song”, also commonly known by its first line “Lullaby and goodnight”, or “Brahm’s Lullaby” after its composer Johannes Brahms, is considered one of the most popular baby lullabies ever. It was published in 1868 by the name “Wiegenlied” which is German for cradle song. Its soothing melody and soft lullaby lyrics have made it perfect for lulling babies to sleep for generations.
2. Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
When people ask what is a lullaby that always works on babies, many say Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star! This incredibly popular baby lullaby. The words promote the magic and wonder of what you see when you look up at the sky at night. It’s one of the go-to lullabies to sing for many parents around the world!
3. Hush, Little Baby
"Hush, Little Baby" is a soothing lullaby that promises your baby different happy things and gifts in the morning – if they wind down in the evening. That, on top of its repetitive structure and calming melody, makes it a great choice for a song to encourage your baby to go sleep.
4. You Are My Sunshine
The lullaby song "You Are My Sunshine" has been a cherished lullaby for generations. The message of love and reassurance, coupled with its calming melody, can make your baby feel special and soothed – two feelings that can help them drift off for the night.
5. Somewhere Over the Rainbow
"Somewhere Over the Rainbow “is a popular song from the classic movie The Wizard of Oz that is as nostalgic for parents as it is calming for babies to fall asleep. The song is written about someplace where you can’t get into trouble, and the lyrics sing about dreams coming through. The melody complementing the dreamy lyrics can transport your baby (and you) to a world of happiness and tranquility.
6. Edelweiss
From the movie The Sound of Music, the song "Edelweiss" makes for a heartfelt and tender lullaby song to sing to your baby before bed. The lullaby lyrics send the message of love and protection, which complements a calm and comfortable bedtime routine.
7. Stay Awake
This baby lullaby is famously sung by Mary Poppins, the title character in one of the most beloved movies from Walt Disney, who sings this lullaby while putting the children she is caring to sleep after a busy day. She tries reverse psychology to get the children, who are resisting sleep, to shut their eyes. It tends to work wonders!
8. Baby Mine
“Baby Mine” is a song from the Disney film Dumbo. Dumbo’s mother, a circus elephant, sings the song as she cradles baby Dumbo with her trunk. The soothing music and comforting lyrics convey a parent’s deep love and protection for their child. These sentiments are universally relatable and can make your baby feel safe. And it goes great with a cuddle!
9. All the Pretty Little Horses
The traditional lullaby song “All the Pretty little Horses” sends your baby the message that they will have all the pretty horses when they wake the next morning. The repetition in the chorus creates a peaceful and rhythmic atmosphere, making it ideal as a bedtime lullaby. And for a child protesting sleep, thinking about exciting things that may happen the following morning may encourage them to settle down.
10. Lavender's Blue (Dilly Dilly)
"Lavender's Blue" is an English folk song and nursery rhyme that parents like because of its melodic beauty, simplicity, warmth, comfort, and timeliness, making it a perfect lullaby that’s authentically enjoyable for the entire family to sing.
11. Puff the Magic Dragon
"Puff the Magic Dragon" is a song by the group Peter, Paul and Mary that tells a story of a magical dragon named Puff and his playful adventures with a little boy named Jackie Paper. Despite the boy eventually growing up and leaving Puff behind, the whimsical notion of a friendly dragon in a fantastical land can be both captivating and comforting, helping to lull a baby into sleep with thoughts of magical places and tender companionship.
12. Skidamarink
"Skidamarink" is a beloved children's song with playful lyrics and a charming melody have made it a favorite among children going to sleep at night. The lyrics express affection in a fun and whimsical way, making it an excellent choice for bedtime as it conveys feelings of love and safety. For a lullaby song, singing "Skidamarink" at night can help a baby feel secure and loved, the repetitive and melodic nature of the song providing a calming effect that can ease them into sleep.
13. La La Lu
"La La Lu" is a bedtime lullaby from the 1955 Disney classic "Lady and the Tramp" that has a gentle melody, and warm, affectionate lyrics conveying comfort and protection from a parent or guardian – ideal for bedtime.
14. Silent Night
"Silent Night" is one of the most iconic Christmas carols around the world and as a lullaby song conveys the message of tranquility, which is a great bedtime song choice for anytime – not just around the holidays.
15. A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes
"A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes" is a classic Disney song from the 1950 animated film "Cinderella” that is an enchanting song sung by Cinderella herself, with the message to inspire to inspire listeners to always hold on to your dreams. Perfect as your baby drifts off into dreamland!
16. Mary Had a Little Lamb
"Mary Had a Little Lamb" is a nursery rhyme with a simple, repetitive tune and playful story of Mary and her lamb. The imagery of a loyal lamb following Mary everywhere also invokes a sense of safety and companionship, ideal for helping little ones feel secure as they fall asleep.
17. When You Wish Upon a Star
Singing "When You Wish Upon a Star", the timeless song from Disney's animated classic "Pinocchio”, can fill a baby's bedtime with a sense of wonder and calm. The lullaby lyrics send your baby the message that their wishes, no matter how big, can one day come true.
18. Golden Slumbers
“Golden Slumbers” is a song adapted by Paul McCartney’s for the Beatles’ “Abbey Road” album, which was crafted into a soothing, melodious bedtime lullaby song.
19. Moon River
"Moon River" was originally performed by Aubrey Hepburn inthe 1961 film “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”. The song won an Academy Award for Best Original Song, and its lyrical portrayal of a dreamy, hopeful journey along a moonlit river has captivated audiences for decades. "Moon River" was originally performed by Aubrey Hepburn in the 1961 film “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” with lyrics portraying a dreamy, hopeful journey along a moonlit river has captivated audiences for decades.
20. Goodnight, My Angel
Billy Joel wrote “Goodnight, My Angel”, also referred to as “Lullabye”, as a baby lullaby for his daughter, Alexa Ray. It’s a deeply personal reflection on parenthood, love, and a bond with your child.Billy Joel wrote “Goodnight, My Angel”, also referred to as “Lullabye”, as a baby lullaby for his daughter, Alexa Ray. It’s a deeply personal reflection on parenthood, love, and a bond with your child.
21. Dream a Little Dream of Me
This classic love song is now commonly sun as a soothing lullaby to help children relax and drift off to sleep.
22. Kumbaya
The phrase "Kumbaya," also spelled "Kum Ba Yah," translates to "come by here" in English, with the lyrics calling for divine intervention and a sense of communal hope and healing. This song's repetitive, soothing melody and heartfelt plea for comfort make it a profound choice for a bedtime lullaby.
23. All Through the Night (Ar Hyd y Nos)
"All Through the Night" (Ar Hyd y Nos) is a traditional Welsh folk with a refrain, "Sleep, my child, and peace attend thee, all through the night," that reinforces a sense of security and calmness, ideal for lulling a baby to sleep if they wake in the middle of the night during a period of sleep regression.
24. Danny Boy
"Danny Boy" is one of the most cherished songs in the Irish musical tradition. While its themes are bittersweet, the flowing, lyrical quality of "Danny Boy" can provide a soothing backdrop to help your baby calm enough to drift off to sleep.
25. Ninna Nanna
“Ninna Nanna” is an Italian lullaby with a gentle melody and comforting lyrics. Ninna Nanna means lullaby in English.
26. Frère Jacques (Brother John)
“Frère Jacques” is a French nursery rhyme and lullaby that is a sweet song that references the morning. It's a great song if your little one doesn't want the day to end – the lyrics remind them that the sun will rise soon for another day of fun.
27. Little Boy Blue
Many parents say one of their favorite lullabies for babies to go to sleep is this gentle, soothing song about a sleepy boy and his loving animals.
28. Didn’t Leave Nobody but the Baby
Wondering what is the lullaby called Go to Sleep Little Baby? You’re likely referring to the traditional lullaby song called “Didn’t Leave Nobody but the Baby” that was made famous from the movie O Brother, Where Art Thou? It’s slow, repetitive, comforting, and a perfect song to put you to sleep.
29. Rock-a-bye Baby
The traditional nursery rhyme “Rock-a-by Baby” is now a lullaby song loved by many worldwide. It was originally published in Mother Goose’s Melody in 1765 with the title “Hush-a-bye Baby”. Sometimes parents add extra lullaby lyrics after the first verse.
30. My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean
Often referred to as “My Bonnie”, this is a Scottish folk song that’s sung as a baby lullaby that’s popular in Western culture. The origin of the song is unclear but there are different theories on what’s it about. A very popular version was recorded by The Beatles and Tony Sheridan if you’d like to play music instead of sing!
Final Thoughts
Parents often find a magical power in the melody of at least one lullaby song for sleep. Incorporating your factor lullaby song into your bedtime routine, which is already proven to help wind your baby down before bed, is both a sweet and beneficial way to help them fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.
If you want to further support your baby with everything sleep, from finding the best schedule for their age or what changes to their nursery can help them sleep through the night, take this free sleep assessment. You’ll get a sleep plan which includes a personalized sleep schedule that changes according to how sleep goes each day. It also includes information on what to do if a sleep regression or nap transition causes sleep to fall off track.
Also, if your baby is waking up often at night, don’t forget to add a nighttime diaper to your bedtime routine! Using an extra-absorbent diaper such as Pampers Swaddlers Overnight is another way to complement the benefits of baby lullabies and promote longer stretches of sleep, for both you and your little one.
