Why That Lullaby Isn't Soothing Your Baby
Baby Lullabies
The word lullaby means “sing to sleep.” The sweet tunes of lullaby music mimic the reassuring rhythms of a mother’s pulse, about seventy beats per second. This pace is perfect for singing—and rocking—your baby as he drifts to sleep.
Below you will find different lullabies that you can sing, as well as a story from real parents and how they were able to lull their newborn to sleep.
Beatles Lullabies to Soothe Your Baby
Fortunately, many infants can be rescued from their cries by switching to a zippier rhythm (2-3 beats per second) to catch their attention. If you are a Beatles fan, try jiggling your fussy baby to “It’s Been a Hard Day’s Night.” As he settles, slow down to “We Can Work It Out” or “All You Need Is Love.” And when he is putty in your hands, downshift all the way to “Golden Slumbers” (or the number-one-new-parent fave, “I’m So Tired”).
Other Beatles Lullabies For Your Baby
- Blackbird
- I Want to Hold Your Hand
- Hey Jude
- Let it Be
- Here Comes the Sun
Soothing Lullabies for Babies to Sleep
Not sure what lullaby to sing to put your baby to sleep? Here is a list of some of our favourite baby lullabies.
- Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
- Amazing Grace
- Hush Little Baby
- Rock a Bye Baby
- Baa Baa Black Sheep
- Lullaby - Dixie Chicks
- Lullaby - Leonard Cohen
- The Long Day is Over - Norah Jones
- Somewhere Over the Rainbow
- When You Wish Upon a Star
- My Favorite Things - Julie Andrews
- Frère Jacques
- You Are My Sunshine
Modern Lullabies for Babies
Not a fan of the classic lullabies? No problem. Below you will find modern songs that are great for soothing your baby.
- Three Little Birds - Bob Marley
- Sweet Child O’ Mine - Guns N Roses
- Better Together - Jack Johnson
- Flume - Bon Iver
- Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow - Lykke Li
- Sleep - Azure Ray
- My Body is a Cage - Arcade Fire
- Thousand Years - Christina Perri
- Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You - Lauryn Hill
- All of Me - John Legend
Baby Lullaby Story: Make Your Own Lullaby
When Margie and Barbara’s son, Michael, was 6 weeks old, he screamed so loudly at night that their downstairs neighbor would bang on the ceiling. Margie tried to placate him with gentle rocking and soothing songs, but nothing worked until she discovered what she called the “ancient war dance.”
Clutching Michael to her chest—his stomach pressed against her and her arms around him like a straitjacket—Margie loudly chanted, “HA ja ja ja, HA ja ja ja.” With each accented “HA” she doubled over and bent at the knees, making Michael feel as if he had fallen through a trapdoor. With each “ja” she ratcheted her body partway back up. By the third “ja” she was standing straight again, ready for the next “HA.”
Margie said that the vigor of the rhythm and the loudness of the chant were the keys to success. Usually, Michael was snoozing again within minutes!
Learn the 5 S's, Dr. Harvey Karp's easy method for calming infant crying.
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