A night’s sleep is essential for the health of all children and adults, and music, if chosen properly, can help relax and make your baby ready to go to bed. The light, slow, rhythmic sounds that are often used in yoga are ideal for bedtime, because they soothe and entrance the mind. After you find the kind of music that fits your baby, use some of the same compilations night after night to help establish relaxing habits.
Calming lullabies
According to experts, a familiar voice can help your baby feel loved and safe allowing the mind to rest. Many lullabies use repetitive melodies and rhymes which is also one mechanism to soothe the baby. Choose calming lullabies like Hush, Little Baby with a small volume. This requires the baby to be quiet to listen to music. If you choose to sing before your baby goes to bed, sing quietly and avoid large movements because the movement will make her awake.
Natural sounds
The soothing sounds of nature from rain forests, waves, running water, rustling leaves, crickets chirping, bird chirping, whales and dolphins, have soothing effects and help sleep for most everybody, including children. The repetitive sounds, often with small volume can drown out other distracting noises, which creates soothing effect. Find a compilation of repetitive natural sounds with instruments like acoustic guitar, harp or voice.
Soothing classical music
According to experts, when you are listening to music, your brainwaves sync to the musical rhythm. Listening to soothing classical music can help slow the heart rate and blood pressure, causing the body and mind settle to sleep. Sweet sounds and deep resonating tones of soothing classical music can reduce anxiety, negative emotions and stimulate peaceful moods, which is helpful for sleep. Select long, soothing classical compilations to reduce the disruptions of changing song, and include symphonies from the masters such as Beethoven, Mozart and Bach.
Calming instruments
According to experts, instruments like the piano, flute and harp have soothing effect because they create sounds smooth and flowing, close to the natural sound, making them the ideal choice of music for bedtime. The Native American flute made from woods such as cedar, redwood or juniper, also produces sweet sound to help calm and relaxed.