The ten best lullabies to put your baby to sleep

Bedtime arrives, and you do everything. You lull your little one to sleep, put him in his crib, and turn off the light, but none of this works, he seems more awake than ever, yet lullabies will help you in this titanic task.

The first few months of life are vital for your child to establish a bedtime routine. Although in the first week, sleep habits are erratic. As your little one grows, the situation becomes more regular, and the time they stay awake increases.

How do babies sleep?

Newborns can sleep between 10 and 18 hours a day; they are only awake for 1 to 3 hours. Around four months, your baby sleeps between 6 and 8 hours for each nap. Between 6 and 9 months, he only sleeps between 10 and 12 hours. After a year, he will continue to sleep this time, but his naps will only last between 30 minutes and two hours, according to the National Library of Medicine.

Guadalupe Terán, a Sleep and Neuroscience Center specialist, highlights that sleeping well is very important for brain development. To the extent that you help your little one rest, he will have a better sleep quality.

When babies are born, they do not distinguish between day and night; through breastfeeding, you transmit to your child a hormone called melatonin which is synchronized with the biological clock and with sleep.

“The mother helps the baby, through breastfeeding, to pass on this hormone, and she will synchronize the baby´s sleep cycle. Babies do not have a defined cycle, they sleep the same day and night, but after three months, they establish a night sleep cycle. This synchronization will first be given by the mother and then with the environmental stimuli that are promoted”.

Dr. Guadalupe Terán

These lullabies will help you create that environment so that your little one sleeps well.

We recommend: Tips for sleeping the newborn

Twinkle, twinkle little star

The story of this popular children’s song dates back to the year 1761 in France; the music of this piece is attributed to Mozart. The sweet melody of this song is ideal for putting your little one to sleep.

Arrorró mi niño

Grandmas, moms, uncles, everyone has hummed it. No person does not know it, and it is the first one you sing when you try to put your baby to sleep. It emerged in Africa, in the Berber ethnic group, reached Europe, and spread throughout the world.

Duérmete mi niño (Go to sleep, my child)

The origin of this famous lullaby is unknown; it has been passed down from generation to generation. Now it’s your turn to sing it to your little one.

La Lechuza hace “shh” (The owl goes “Shh”)

Other pieces have the same melody as Brother John because they derive from a French lullaby whose chords sound: ding, dong, dang. Over time, various lyrics have been adapted to this tune.

Cinco lobitos tiene la loba (Five wolves has the wolf)

The catchy lyrics of this song make it easy to learn. It is a good option to put your little one to sleep. Its author is unknown.

A dormir mi bebé (Lullaby and Goodnight)

Just listening to this melody makes you want to close your eyes. Lull your baby with this lullaby; he will fall asleep. Johannes Brahms composed this piece in 1868.

Esta niña linda (This pretty girl)

Indeed, you have seen the video of “Chimoltrufia” singing this lullaby. It has beautiful lyrics that you can use to put your little one to sleep. The origin and author are unknown, but it is very popular as it has been passed down through generations.

“Tolín Tolán”

The soft melody in this piece will relax your little one. It is an original song by the Venezuelan duet Víctor and Pablo Escalona.

Adoro mirarte (I love looking at you)

This is a beautiful song by the musical artist Clara Terán. The lyrics of this piece narrate all those emotions you feel when you see your little one sleep.

Guardian angel prayer

When you hear this sweet song, you will remember your childhood. It is an option to include it in the bedtime routine for your child in the playlist.

What was your favorite? Do you know any other? Please leave us your comments on Facebook.

Translated by: Ligia M. Oliver Manrique de Lara

Spanish version