Bedtime Songs for Babies: 10 Classic Lullabies (With Lyrics)

10 classic bedtime songs

1. Twinkle Twinkle Little Star: the classic first lullaby, with a slow, simple tune. Try our lullaby version.
2. Rock-a-bye Baby: a gentle rocking rhythm that suits swaying.
3. Row, Row, Row Your Boat: sing it slowly and softly as a wind-down song.
4. Hey Diddle Diddle: a short, silly rhyme about the moon.
5. Baa Baa Black Sheep: same tune as Twinkle Twinkle, so easy to sing back to back.
6. Mary Had a Little Lamb: calm and repetitive.
7. Brahms' Lullaby: the well-known "Lullaby and good night" melody, lovely hummed.
8. Hush, Little Baby: a traditional song with a long list of verses to keep going as long as you need.
9. The ABC Song: sung slowly, it works as a lullaby too.
10. Your own song: hum any tune and add your baby's name. They'll love it.

A simple bedtime routine

Routines help children know what comes next. Many families use a short, predictable sequence of three or four steps, done in the same order each night:

• Bath or wash
• Pyjamas and teeth
• A book or two
• The same song, lights down, into bed

Keep the room dim and quiet, and try to finish screen time well before bed. Our guide to screen time for toddlers explains why.

Tips for singing at bedtime

• Sing slower and quieter with each verse.
• Use the same song every night so it becomes a sleep cue.
• Humming works just as well as words.
• If you're tired of one song, keep the tune and change the words.

Safe sleep reminder

Always follow safe sleep advice: place babies on their back to sleep, in a safe cot with a firm, flat mattress, and keep the sleep space free of pillows, soft toys and loose bedding. See Red Nose for Australian safe sleeping guidance.

Questions parents ask