Songs For You And Your Baby

Songs For You And Your Baby

Singing to your baby is an activity you can begin when he is still inside your tummy – and one you can continue until he is grown. Lullabies have been around for centuries, with each generation adding their own, and are used to soothe, calm and bond with your baby. But many parents find it hard to sing to their babies, either because they are self-conscious, worried they don’t have a good singing voice, or simply don’t know what to sing…

First of all be assured that your baby doesn’t care whether you sing like Madonna or a strangled cat! Your baby is programmed to find the sound of your voice intensely pleasurable – after all, he has been listening to it for at least nine months. Even if nobody else likes to hear you sing, your own baby always will. As for feeling self-conscious, there is no need for anybody else to hear you. If you are shy, keep your sing-a-longs for your own private play time.

What to sing?

From nursery rhymes to lullabies to pop songs or jazz, the choice of songs is endless. When your baby is very young the lyrics are irrelevant – only you will understand them. If you feel more comfortable, start off by singing your favorite songs to your baby. Anything you know the lyrics to is fine. Just one word of warning – be careful of singing anything that makes you sad. Your favorite, romantic love song, the one you danced to with your first love, might not be your best choice. If it makes you sad, your baby will pick up on your feelings.

When to sing?

You can use songs throughout the day to make all aspects of your baby’s routine fun and special. Why not have a gentle song you sing (softly, so only he can hear you) whenever you feed him? How about a rhyme for when you change his nappy? You can make up your own words – rhymes that include your baby’s name are great, and help them to learn to respond to their name as they get older.

Singing to your baby doesn’t have to be confined to helping him off to sleep. Songs will engage your baby no matter what the activity – dressing him, going out for a walk, or even bath time. A great song to adapt is Here We Go ‘Round The Mulberry Bush – the verses starting with This Is The Way We… can be used to make anything fun for your baby or child, from washing to weaning.

Singing to sleep

Lullabies originated in England in the 1300s, from the idea that a song sung by a familiar voice will lull a baby to sleep. They are still used for this purpose today, with great effect. From Hush Little Baby to Rock-a-bye Baby, lullabies are perfect for soothing and calming. Use them as part of your bedtime routine – a bath (with a splashy song), followed by milk and a story, then a special bedtime song before sleep. Babies love routines, and will soon learn that when they hear their special ‘sleep song’ it is time for them to close their eyes and drift off…

Here are a few songs for you to try:

Twinkle, twinkle, little star
How I wonder what you are
Up above the world so high
Like a diamond in the sky
Twinkle, twinkle, little star
How I wonder what you are

When the blazing sun is gone
When there’s nothing he shines upon
Then you show your little light
Twinkle, twinkle, through the night
Twinkle, twinkle, little star
How I wonder what you are

In the dark blue sky so deep
Through my curtains often peep
For you never close your eyes
Till the morning sun does rise
Twinkle, twinkle, little star
How I wonder what you are

Rock-a-bye baby, on the tree top
When the wind blows, the cradle will rock
When the bough breaks, the cradle will fall
And down will come baby, cradle and all

The itsy-bitsy spider
Climbed up the water spout
Down came the rain
And washed the spider out
Out came the sun
And dried up all the rain
And the itsy-bitsy spider
Climbed up the spout again

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