The Best Music to Put Your Baby to Sleep

The Best Music to Put Your Baby to Sleep

Last update: 10 June, 2018

Listening to music has several health benefits for adults and children alike. In this article we’ll specifically look at some of the best music to help put your baby to sleep.

Music has the power to stimulate us, and babies are no exception. Certain music styles have been found to help us learn.

Music can also influence brain processes and stress management. Parents can even use music to help their babies relax and sleep better.

Traditionally music has always been used to help babies sleep. Mothers tend to sing lullabies to their babies at bedtime.

Technological advances have now allowed us to incorporate music into our children’s relaxation time in a more effective way.

Below you’ll find a guide on how to select the best music to help your baby fall asleep.

How does music help babies sleep?

It has been scientifically proven that music has the ability to create favorable and peaceful moods in both adults and children.

There are harmonic tones and sequences that help us release tension. This in turn creates favorable sleeping conditions.

The Best Music to Put Your Baby to Sleep

Certain music genres have also been shown to improve concentration. As we all know, in order to fall asleep, you need to have a certain level of concentration, stillness and a sense of well-being.

As parents we have to be careful with the type of music we listen to. We have to take into account the effect that we want to produce.

Listening to jazz or classical music for example, is not the same as listening to heavy metal or electronic dance music.

The best music to help your baby sleep should be calm and harmonious

In principle, the music that is used to put your baby to sleep should have tonalities that evoke peace and quiet. The music should represent an atmosphere of harmony and tranquility.

The rhythm, tempos and harmony should be simple, soft and somewhat slow. This rules out musical styles such as rock, metal and tropical rhythms such as salsa and merengue. Parents should avoid all fast songs that have imposing percussion.

There are many different reasons why babies find it hard to fall asleep. If the child can focus their attention on musical harmony, this will help them relax and fall asleep easier.

The Best Music to Put Your Baby to Sleep

Classical music, the perfect option

Classical music has the power to improve the cognitive processes of both adults and children. This improvement is known as the Mozart effect. The style also creates an atmosphere that favors relaxation and sleep.

This type of music is associated with rich and complex melodies. The percussion of the orchestras aren’t usually strident which is key when it comes to relaxation.

The lack of lyrics can also promote relaxation. The baby will focus on appreciating the harmony.

Jazz, smoothness and complexity in the same tune

Jazz is a musical style that is rich in harmonic changes, improvization and complex structures. Similar to classical music, it helps create an environment that is conducive to relaxation.

Jazz is characterized be keeping all sounds in their place, without the need for great distortions. It also has minimalist sound elements.

While listening to this musical style the baby will concentrate on the melody and harmonic changes. This will create an atmosphere which will allow him to fall asleep more easily.

Bossa nova, relaxing voices that evoke tranquility

Bossa nova is characterized by its smoothness, delicacy and abundance of pleasant sounds. This music can cause the listener to sink into deep states of relaxation.

In this musical genre, voices are used as an element in the search for mental serenity.

There is music dedicated to the reinterpretation of well-known classic songs under the smooth rhythm of bossa nova.

The Best Music to Put Your Baby to Sleep

Relaxing music

This may be the best music to help your baby sleep. There are compositions that are focused on generating a state of mental tranquility for people of all ages.

Another advantage of this genre is that there is a wide range of options to choose from: environmental, Hindu, mantras, etc.

Listeners can even select the types of sensations they wish to stimulate. There are specific songs for concentration, peace, reflection and meditation, just to name a few.

The good news is that there are many different styles of music that can help your baby sleep better. All you have to do is try out the different options mentioned above until you find your child’s favorite.


This text is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace consultation with a professional. If in doubt, consult your specialist.