This content was created by the National Sleep Foundation
Sometimes, little ones love bedtime, but other times, sending a baby off to dreamland requires feeding, swaddling, or singing a sweet bedtime song to the baby. But what should you sing, exactly? These five classic lullabies are a good place to start. Softly croon or hum one of them and you’ll soothe your upset baby in no time.
Hush, Little Baby:
This humorous song is basically about the power of bribery. It lists all the wonderful gifts that a baby will receive from his mom—as long as there are no tears at bedtime.
Hush, little baby, don’t way 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 don’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 little baby in town
Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star:
Sing an ode to the nighttime sky with this favorite lullaby. To take it a step further, add glow-in-the-dark decals of constellations to your child's ceiling, so you can look up at them while you sing.
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
Rock-a-Bye Baby:
There are only four lines to this simple song, so just keep repeating them until your baby is asleep.
Rock-a-bye baby, in the treetop
When the wind blows, the cradle will rock
When the bough breaks, the cradle will fall
And down will come baby, cradle and all
You Are My Sunshine:
This song dates back to the 1930s, but its message is timeless. For the lullaby, stick to the chorus.
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
Brahms' Lullaby:
This is a German lullaby that is also known as "Lullaby and Goodnight."
Lullaby and goodnight, with roses bedtight
With lilies o’er spread is baby’s wee bed
Lay thee down now and rest, may thy slumber be blessed
Lay thee down now and rest, may thy slumber be blessed
Lullaby and goodnight, thy mother’s delight
Bright angels beside my darling abide
They will guard thee at rest, thou shalt wake on my breast
They will guard thee at rest, thou shalt wake on my breast
