15 Baby Bedtime Songs to Help Your Little One Drift Off to Sleep

Looking for the perfect baby bedtime songs to transport your peanut to dreamland? We’ve got you covered. Read on for our favorites. Singing to your baby is surprisingly important for their development, affecting everything from their musical preference to language growth.

Bedtime songs are also a perfect way to bond with your baby as part of your nightly bedtime routine.

Looking for inspiration as you warm up those pipes? We’ll take you through our favorites.

In this article: 📝

What song should I sing to my baby?

Recent research has shown something we’ve all long suspected — lullabies relax babies more than other songs do.

Interestingly, the same study showed that it didn’t matter what language the lullaby was in.

Babies tended to find them just as soothing, whether in Scottish Gaelic or Hopi.

So, that leaves you with a world of choice.

Either opt for songs that have cultural significance to you — perhaps ones that you remember from your own childhood.

Or use this as an opportunity to broaden your repertoire.

And the best part of lullabies is they’re made for anyone to sing.

So even if the only singing on your resume is the kind done in the shower, you have our full permission to make some (gentle) noise.

When should bedtime songs stop?

This is entirely up to you.

We say, as long as you’re all still enjoying the bedtime ritual, it can stay.

You may find that older kids start to protest — and that may just be the time to call it quits.

There’s no one way to do this.

Our favorite baby sleep songs

Okay, we’re going to kick off with Number One on our charts:

What is the most popular lullaby?

Cultures all over the world have their own lullabies, so what makes the most popular lullaby? Well, that depends on who you ask.

If it’s Classic FM, their top pick for the most famous lullaby is:

1. Brahms’ Wiegelied

There are a few different versions of the English lyrics to this timeless song. Here are the words sung in the Celine Dion version:

Lullaby and good night In the sky stars are bright 'Round your head Flowers gay Set you slumbers 'til day Lullaby and good night In the sky stars are bright 'Round your head Flowers gay Set you slumbers 'til day Close your eyes Now and rest May these hours Be blessed Close your eyes Now and rest May these hours Be blessed

So what else is on the list?

2. Rock-a-Bye Baby

You may have fallen asleep to this timeless classic yourself.

This song, dare we say it, continues to rock.

These are the lyrics:

Rock a bye baby, on the tree top, When the wind blows the cradle will rock. When the bough breaks the cradle will fall, And down will come baby, cradle and all.

Rock a bye baby, gently you swing, Over the cradle, Mother will sing, Sweet is the lullaby over your nest That tenderly sings my baby to rest.

From the high rooftops, down to the sea No one's as dear as baby to me Wee little hands, eyes shiny and bright Now sound asleep until morning light

Rock a bye baby, on the tree top, When the wind blows the cradle will rock. When the bough breaks the cradle will fall, And down will come baby, cradle and all.

3. Hush Little Baby

This song’s for one lucky baby!

In it, they are promised everything from a mockingbird to a billy goat.

It’s another enduring favorite:

Hush, little baby, don't say a word, Mama's gonna buy you a mockingbird. And if that mockingbird don't sing, Mama's gonna buy you a diamond ring. And if that diamond ring turns brass, Mama's gonna buy you a looking glass. And if that looking glass gets broke, Mama's gonna buy you a billy goat.

And if that billy goat doesn't pull, Mama's gonna buy you a cart and bull. And if that cart and bull turn over, Mama's gonna buy you a dog named Rover. And if that dog named Rover won't bark, Mama's gonna buy you a horse and cart. And if that horse and cart fall down, well you'll still be the sweetest baby in town.

4. Star Light, Star Bright

The perfect song for your little star. Shine brightly, little one. 🌟

Star light, star bright, The first star I see tonight; I wish I may, I wish I might, Have the wish I wish tonight.

5. Row, Row, Row Your Boat

This one’s bound to float your baby’s boat. And if you need help with the lyrics, here they are:

Row, row, row your boat Gently down the stream Merrily merrily, merrily, merrily Life is but a dream. [Repeat]

6. Frère Jacques

This adorable nursery rhyme can be sung in either English or French — or both, if you’re in a bilingual family.

Frère Jacques Frère Jacques Dormez vous? Dormez vous? Sonnez les matines Sonnez les matines Ding ding dong Ding ding dong

Are you sleeping Are you sleeping? Brother John Brother John? Morning bells are ringing Morning bells are ringing Ding ding dong Ding ding dong

7. Little Boy Blue

This one’s perfect for helping your little one count those sheep that should help them drift off to sleep.

It’s another traditional one that dates back centuries.

Here are the words:

Little Boy Blue come blow your horn, The sheep’s in the meadow the cow’s in the corn. But where’s the boy who looks after the sheep? He’s under a haystack fast asleep. Will you wake him? No, not I – for if I do, he’s sure to cry.

8. Baby Mine

From the delightful Disney movie Dumbo, this one’s music to every baby’s ears.

Baby mine, don't you cry Baby mine, dry your eyes Rest your head close to my heart Never to part, baby of mine

Little one, when you play Pay no heed what they say Let your eyes sparkle and shine Never a tear, baby of mine

If they knew all about you They'd end up loving you too All those same people who scold you What they'd give just for the right to hold you

From your head down to your toes You're not much, goodness knows But, you're so precious to me Sweet as can be, baby of mine

9. Baa, Baa, Black Sheep

This little sheep never goes out of style.

These are the words you need:

Baa Baa black sheep, have you any wool? Yes sir, yes sir, three bags full. One for the master, one for the dame One for the little boy who lives down the lane Baa baa black sheep, have you any wool? Yes sir, yes sir, three bags full.

[Repeat, changing the sheep’s color each time.]

10. All the Pretty Little Horses

We love the soothe of this sweet song.

Hush-a-bye, don't you cry Go to sleep you little baby When you wake, you will have cake And all the pretty little horses

Blacks and bays, dapples and greys A coach and six white horses Hush-a-bye, don't you cry Go to sleep you little baby

Way down yonder, down in the meadow There's a poor little lamby Bees and butterflies flitting 'round his eyes He's crying out for his mammy

Hush-a-bye, don't you cry Go to sleep you little baby When you wake, you will have cake And all the pretty little horses

Blacks and bays, dapples and greys A coach and six white horses Blacks and bays, dapples and greys All the pretty little horses

Hush-a-bye, don't you cry Go to sleep you little baby Go to sleep you little baby All the pretty little horses

Best-loved children’s bedtime songs

As your little one gets older, they may want to join in with these nighttime singing adventures.

And provided the goal is getting them to settle down rather than ramp up, this can be a really special time.

Try these comforting songs to sing at bedtime:

11. Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star

This dreamy song never loses its magic.

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 the night.

Then the traveler in the dark, Thanks you for your tiny spark, He could not see which way to go, If you did not twinkle so.

In the dark blue sky you keep, And 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.

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

Twinkle, twinkle, little star. How I wonder what you are. How I wonder what you are.

12. Isn’t She Lovely

We couldn’t have said it better than this Stevie Wonder hit:

Isn't she lovely? Isn't she wonderful? Isn't she precious? Less than one minute old I never thought through love we'd be Making one as lovely as she But isn't she lovely made from love? Isn't she pretty? Truly the angel's best Boy, I'm so happy We have been Heaven-blessed I can't believe what God has done Through us, He's given life to one But isn't she lovely made from love? Isn't she lovely? Life and love are the same Life is Aisha The meaning of her name Londie, it could have not been done Without you who conceived the one That's so very lovely made from love Hey!

13. You Are My Sunshine

☀️

You are my sunshine My only sunshine. You make me happy When skies are grey. 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 dreamed I held you in my arms. When I awoke, dear, I was mistaken And I hung my head and cried.

You are my sunshine, My only sunshine. You make me happy When skies are grey. 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 some day;

You are my sunshine, My only sunshine. You make me happy When skies are grey. You'll never know, dear, How much I love you. Please don't take my sunshine away.

You told me once, dear You really loved me And no one else could come between But now you've left me And love another You have shattered all my dreams;

You are my sunshine, My only sunshine. You make me happy When skies are grey. You'll never know, dear, How much I love you. Please don't take my sunshine away.

14. Somewhere Over the Rainbow

Yep, simply dreamy. 🌈

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?

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?

15. Goodnight Sweetheart

The perfect ending to a day of adventures, learning, and fun.

Goodnight sweetheart, well, it's time to go Goodnight sweetheart, well, it's time to go I hate to leave you, but I really must say Oh, goodnight sweetheart, goodnight

Goodnight sweetheart, well, it's time to go Goodnight sweetheart, well, it's time to go I hate to leave you, I really must say Oh, goodnight sweetheart, goodnight

Well, it's three o'clock in the morning Baby, I just can't treat you right Well, I hate to leave you, baby Don't mean maybe because I love you so

Goodnight sweetheart, well, it's time to go Goodnight sweetheart, well, it's time to go I hate to leave you, I really must say Oh, goodnight, sweetheart, goodnight.

Happy singing, mama!