Relaxing Bedtime Music and Lullabies for Newborn Babies

As a new parent, there are a million things to think about every day — from late-night diaper changes to those adorable, yet sometimes unpredictable, baby wiggles. One thing you can look forward to, though, is bedtime. But let's face it, getting your newborn to drift off to sleep can feel like an impossible task at times. 

Relaxing bedtime lullabies and music for newborns can be a soothing way to calm your baby’s restless moments and help them settle into a peaceful sleep. The right melody can do wonders, not only for your little one but also for you, as you finally get a break after a busy day.

What to expect?

Newborn sleep can feel like a mystery. Some nights, they sleep like angels. But other nights, they are in the mood for a little entertainment, leaving you wondering what to do! 

But did you know that the right bedtime music can help create a sense of calm and make sleep transitions easier?

This blog will guide you through the benefits of relaxing bedtime music and lullabies, along with practical ways to include them in your routine. Here’s what we’ll cover

Guide to relaxing bedtime music

When it's the end of a long day, your newborn is fed, changed, and snuggled up in their crib, but just as you start to exhale, those little eyes pop wide open again! It's not only you; most new parents experience this situation! Helping a newborn settle for sleep can feel like an endless cycle of rocking, shushing, and hopeful sighs. That’s where relaxing bedtime music comes in.

Benefits of lullabies and relaxing music for babies:

From improving sleep quality to strengthening emotional bonds, here’s how lullabies and soothing music can help your little one [1]:

  • Encourages better sleep: Relaxing music, with its soft and rhythmic melodies, helps signal to your baby that it’s time to rest.
  • Supports brain development: By listening to lullabies or soothing sounds, babies engage with rhythms and tones that support cognitive growth.
  • Strengthens the parent-baby bond: The act of singing or playing lullabies helps foster a sense of security and deepens emotional connections between parents and babies.
  • Reduces stress and soothes anxiety: By lowering heart rates and reducing stress hormones, music helps both babies and parents find a sense of calm.
  • Encourages routine and predictability: Babies thrive on consistency, and incorporating music into their bedtime routines helps create a sense of structure. 

From better sleep to emotional bonding, lullabies and soft music offer a simple yet powerful way to support your baby’s growth and comfort [2].

Are you looking for ad-free music library? Happy Baby has a variety of soothing sounds, including white noise, lullabies, and custom sleep soundscapes designed to calm babies and help them drift off to sleep.

Popular lullabies and bedtime music for newborns

Some songs have a magical way of calming an irritated newborn in seconds. Whether it’s a lullaby passed down through generations or a soft instrumental tune, the right melody can work wonders in helping your little one relax and drift off to sleep. If you’re looking for tried-and-true bedtime songs, here are some of the most soothing lullabies and calming music choices for newborns:

Classic lullabies that never fail

Gentle instrumental music for a calming bedtime

  • Soft piano or harp melodies
  • Classical pieces like Debussy’s “Clair de Lune or Mozart’s “Wiegenlied
  • Nature sounds blended with gentle instrumental music

Modern bedtime songs for babies

From soothing lyrics to gentle rhythms, these bedtime tunes can become part of a comforting nighttime routine, making bedtime a little easier for both you and your baby. 

But how to easily access the songs and make a comfortable environment for your baby? Well, we have a solution for that too! Let’s get into it.

Top apps for relaxing lullabies and music for newborns

Sometimes, it really becomes difficult to get your newborn to sleep peacefully. If you’ve ever found yourself humming the same lullaby on repeat at 2 a.m., you’re not alone. 

The good news? There are dedicated apps designed to help with this exact struggle, offering calming lullabies, sleep sounds, and expert-backed sleep solutions to make bedtime smoother for both you and your baby.

Here are some of the top apps offering relaxing bedtime music and lullabies for newborns:

1. Happy Baby

Happy Baby is more than just a regular sleep tracking app; it’s a complete sleep solution designed to take the stress out of bedtime. Created by Aumio, a leader in child development, the app features a variety of soothing lullabies, white noise, and custom soundscapes designed to ease newborns into restful sleep.

Key Features:

✅ Tracks sleep patterns and provides custom routines based on your baby’s developmental stage.

✅ Includes white noise, lullabies, and custom soundscapes designed to help babies fall asleep faster.

✅ AI-powered recommendations suggest the best melodies based on your baby’s sleep patterns.

✅ Blends lullabies with calming background sounds to create a soothing sleep atmosphere.

✅ Sounds are developed with input from pediatric sleep experts to enhance relaxation.

✅ Ensures ad-free, uninterrupted, gentle music for a distraction-free bedtime experience.

✅ Allows parents to customize volume and duration for a seamless nighttime routine.

Happy Baby’s approach helps parents create a peaceful and predictable bedtime, making sleep easier for both babies and caregivers. 

With Happy Baby, you can create stress-free sleep routines for babies and toddlers aged 0-24 months. The app offers AI-powered insights to create sleep routines tailored to your baby’s unique patterns and development stages!

 

2. Lullaby For Baby

If you’re looking for a simple way to access timeless lullabies, Lullaby For Baby is a great option. This app offers a mix of classic bedtime songs and soothing instrumental tracks designed specifically for newborns.

Key Features:

✅ Wide selection of traditional lullabies, including Brahms’ Lullaby and Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.
✅ Gentle instrumental versions of popular songs to create a calming atmosphere.
✅ Offline playback for parents who want to avoid screen time before bed.
✅ Simple and ad-free experience, ensuring uninterrupted sleep sounds.

3. Baby Sleep Sounds

Some newborns prefer soft background noise over lullabies, and that’s where Baby Sleep Sounds comes in. This app provides an extensive collection of white noise, womb sounds, and nature-inspired audio to recreate the calming environment babies are used to.

Key Features:

✅ Wide variety of sounds, including rainfall, ocean waves, and heartbeat rhythms.
✅ Looping feature for continuous play throughout the night.
✅ Customizable volume settings to match your baby’s preference.
✅ No ads or distractions, making it a safe choice for overnight use.

4. BabySleep: Whitenoise Lullaby

BabySleep: Whitenoise Lullaby is intended especially for parents of newborns. It helps them put their babies to sleep instantly. The music offered by the app resembles the natural sounds of the womb and thus creates a calming environment for the babies they are used to.

Key Features:

✅ Uses classic white noise sounds to improve sleep quality.
✅ Customizable sleep programs to match different sleep cycles.
✅ Gentle, rhythmic sounds that mimic the mother’s heartbeat for newborns.
✅ Ideal for parents looking for a research-backed approach to sleep training.

Try out a few and see what works best for your little one—because a well-rested baby means a well-rested parent! 💙

Before we end, let’s wrap it up with a few simple tips for you to incorporate music for your newborn during bedtime!

Parental tips for incorporating music into the bedtime routine

Incorporating music into this routine doesn’t just create a calming atmosphere—it also signals to your baby that it’s time to sleep. Here are some simple, stress-free ways to make music a part of your baby’s nighttime routine:

Start with a familiar lullaby

  • Choose a gentle, repetitive song that your baby associates with bedtime.
  • Sing it softly while rocking or feeding to create a comforting sleep cue.

Play background music during wind-down time

  • About 30 minutes before bedtime, start playing soft instrumental music or white noise.
  • Keep the volume low to prevent overstimulation.

Use lullabies only for sleep-related activities

  • Avoid playing lullabies all day—reserve them for naps and bedtime so your baby learns the association.
  • Stick to the same playlist or sounds to create a predictable routine.

Try different sounds to see what works best

  • Some babies prefer gentle piano or nature sounds, while others respond well to classic lullabies.
  • Experiment with soft humming, white noise, or heartbeat sounds to find what soothes your baby the most.

Keep the music playing as the baby falls asleep

  • If your baby stirs easily, use continuous-play lullabies or sleep sounds to help maintain a calm atmosphere.
  • Choose ad-free, looped tracks for a smooth experience.

Pair music with other sleep cues

  • Combine music with dim lighting, a warm bath, or gentle rocking to create a full bedtime routine.
  • Keep the routine consistent every night to help your baby recognize sleep time.

Use soft singing for extra comfort

  • Your voice is one of the most soothing sounds for your baby.
  • Even if you don’t think you’re a great singer, a simple hum or whisper-singing can work wonders!

By making music a gentle and predictable part of bedtime, you’ll help your baby relax and ease into sleep with less fuss and more comfort.

And make sure to take it easy! You are doing great! It's also important to take care of yourself along with your baby!

Sleep assistance

Sleep aids

Short & Sweet

A peaceful bedtime isn’t just a dream; it’s something you can create with the right tools, and soothing music is one of the simplest and most effective ways to help your baby relax. Whether it’s a familiar lullaby, gentle white noise, or soft instrumental melodies, the right sounds can make bedtime easier, calmer, and more predictable for both you and your baby.

Every baby is different, so don’t be afraid to experiment with different types of music to see what works best. Whether your little one enjoys classic lullabies, nature sounds, or rhythmic white noise, incorporating music into your nighttime routine can signal sleep time, reduce fussiness, and create a comforting environment.

Looking for a stress-free way to add music to your baby’s bedtime routine? Happy Baby offers personalized sleep soundscapes, sleep schedules and expert-backed lullabies to help your little one drift off peacefully.

Try now

FAQ - Everything else you should know

1. Can playing music all night help my baby sleep longer?

2. Is there a chance my baby will get overstimulated by music?

3. At what age should I stop using lullabies for sleep?

4. Can music replace other sleep cues like rocking or swaddling?

References 

  1. Brooks, W. (2016). Putting lullabies to bed: The effects of screened presentations on lullaby practices. In Australian Journal of Music Education. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1146386.pdf
  2. Fritzson, A. E., Dimidjian, S. A., Hicks, L. M., Law, K. G., Nytch, J., & Park, B. (2023). The use of lullaby to support social and emotional wellness among parents during the COVID-19 pandemic. Psychology of Music, 52(2), 199–216. https://doi.org/10.1177/03057356231186958