Your baby’s first year of life is filled with many milestones. When it comes time for your newborn to sleep through the night, that is one milestone that every parent waits for with anticipation. Adjusting to a new baby’s sleep schedule can take some time. You also want to ensure that your newborn gets the right amount of sleep. As your baby begins to develop, that sleep schedule will change. You might want to get your baby to adapt to your schedule, but it is really the other way around.
If you are searching for ways to help soothe your baby to sleep, think about gently singing to them. Many of these songs have short lyrics and memorable signing cadences. Not only can you spend time with your newborn, but these songs are the ideal way to send them off to sleep. Here are some of the best lullabies for your baby. Plus, we look at a few healthy sleeping tips to use for your newborn.
Do you want to get a box of goodies every month? At 123 Baby Box, we have monthly subscription plans that are a welcome surprise for you and your newborn!
Related: Where Should My Newborn Baby Sleep?
7 Calming Songs To Sing To Your Baby
There are several calming songs that you will want to sing to your baby. As you sing, your little one can drift off and have a healthy night of sleep.
Frere Jacque
Frere Jacques is also known as “Brother John.” As you can guess, this nursery rhyme has a French origin, and it is sung in a round melody. The song is about a friar who has overslept. Its lyrics urge the friar to wake up for midnight prayers and ring the bells.
Bingo
The popular “Bingo” song is known by several names, including “Bingo Was His Name-O.” The earliest reference to this song dates back to 1780, where sheet music with the tune was published. The song is often attributed to William Swords, an actor at the Haymarket Theater in London. Some of the earliest references referred to the song as “Little Bingo,” “A Franklyn’s Dogge,” or “The Farmer’s Dog Leapt o’er the Stile.” Additional verses are omitted from the previous lines, and you will clap instead of singing the word.
Hush-A-By Baby
Hush-A-By Baby is another excellent lullaby and nursery rhyme. It is also called “Rock-a-Bye Baby.” This rhyme has connections to Mother Goose. It is believed to appear in print for Mother Goose’s Melody in the 1700s. The lullaby was reprinted in the American colonies in 1785. While there are no existing first printed copies, some of the original words live in song form.
London Bridge
“London Bridge is Falling Down” is a traditional English nursery rhyme. You can find various versions throughout the world. These lyrics reference the dilapidation of London Bridge and the attempts to repair it. Verses related to London Bridge have dated back many years, and some bridge-related terms were even popular in the Middle Ages. The earliest form of this rhyme can be traced back to the mid-18th century. By the 19th century, London Bridge was a popular children’s rhyme in the United States and Britain. There have been several explanations to uncover the “fair lady” identity in the verses, along with the meaning of the other lyrics. This is one nursery rhyme that remains popular in literature.
Related: When to Transition Your Baby From A Crib To A Toddler Bed
Mary Had A Little Lamb
“Mary Had a Little Lamb” is a nursery rhyme with an American origin. This nursery rhyme was published in 1830 by the Boston firm Maths, Capen & Lyon. Some researchers believe that an actual event inspired the verses. In one New Hampshire town, a little girl named Mary had a pet lamb that followed her to school. Mary’s teacher, Sarah Josepha Hale, documented the story in her collection of poems. However, there is no supporting evidence if the story is true or not. Despite that, multiple sites in Sterling, Massachusetts, have monuments celebrating Mary and her pet lamb.
Oh My Darling Clementine
This American western folk ballad is credited to Percy Montross. But some researchers have attributed the ballad to Barker Bradford. The Western Writers of America have even chosen “Oh My Darling Clementine” as one of the top western songs of all time. Bing Crosby made the song famous in the 1940s. There are multiple variations of the lyrics, but they all center around a woman named Clementine.
Ring Around the Rosie
“Ring a Ring o’ Rosie” is originally an English nursery rhyme. It is a popular playground singing game for many children. The first version of this song appeared in 1181, but some lyrics have been sung since the 1790s. There are also similar rhymes dating back to the early 18th century in Europe. While the lyrics vary, many researchers believe the lyrics are based on a plague in England that became widespread after World War II.
Related: How to Get a Baby to Sleep Through the Night
Tips on Developing Baby Sleep Habits
Along with singing those lullabies, you need to develop healthy sleeping habits for your newborn. Most newborn children end up with about 16 to 20 hours of sleep. In many cases, they are awake for 1 to 2 between their periods of rest. Infants will sleep for 13 to 15 hours, including morning naps, afternoon naps, and nighttime sleep.
If you want to develop great sleeping habits, you need to follow some tips. Your baby should not be hungry before going to sleep. Feed the infant right before bedtime. The child should go to bed when they are asleep but not fully asleep. By doing that, you can make sure they fall asleep on their own. Always have a regular nighttime bedtime and nap schedule. If you deviate from it, your child will experience periods of interrupted sleep. Finally, you want to limit those naps to 2 to 3 hours per day.
Would you love to get a box of baby essentials and surprises every month? At 123 Baby Box, we have monthly subscription plans that will put a smile on your face!
