[Lullabies] Classical music you’ll want your baby to hear: Sleep music
We’ve selected classical masterpieces perfect as lullabies to play for your baby.
Newborns often don’t have a settled sleep rhythm yet.
When it’s time to put them to sleep, you want to let them listen to something soothing, don’t you?
Classical music, which is also said to be good for prenatal listening, is something many parents may want their babies to hear.
In this article, we introduce gentle classical pieces that help babies and their families relax.
Be sure to listen together with your baby at bedtime.
- Music you want your baby to listen to: classical, sleep music, nursery rhymes, and BGM.
- [Lullabies] Recommended for putting children to sleep! Songs that lull babies to sleep
- [Baby Sleep Music] Soothing music/BGM that lulls your baby to sleep
- Music That Soothes a Crying Baby | Recommended Songs to Lull Them into a Comfortable Sleep
- Famous American lullabies: soothing English melodies with lyrics for parents and children
- [Lullaby] Gentle masterpieces that soothe the heart—music box melodies to help your baby sleep soundly
- Lullaby Rankings [2026]
- Nursery rhymes and play songs to enjoy with your baby. Gentle children's songs.
- [Masterpiece Classics] A special showcase of gem-like masterpieces so beautiful they’ll move you to tears
- [Western Music] Songs to play for putting your baby to sleep: timeless classics and popular hits from around the world
- Cool classical masterpieces. Recommended classical music.
- Music that’s good for prenatal care: classic masterpieces and popular recommended songs to help mom and baby relax
- [Lullabies] Gentle songs to help babies sleep — soothing lullabies for your little one
[Lullabies] Classical Music You’ll Want Your Baby to Hear: Sleep Music (11–20)
Jocelyn’s LullabyBanjaman Godāru
As the ultimate healing piece, we hope babies and their families alike will savor Benjamin Godard’s “Berceuse de Jocelyn.” In Japan, it was translated into Japanese by Sakufū Kondō, a lyricist active in the Meiji era, and has been sung since long ago.
Perhaps for that reason, its somehow familiar, ear-pleasing melody feels wonderfully soothing, allowing you to relax to the point of melting.
The rich tone of the piano may feel calming to a baby, as if they were taking deep breaths in the womb.
Ave MariaFurantsu Shūberuto
A piece by the Austrian composer Franz Schubert, who left numerous masterpieces to posterity as one of the leading figures of Romantic music.
Because the lyrics include the words “Ave Maria,” it is often called “Schubert’s Ave Maria” and is sometimes assumed to be sacred music, but its official title is Ellens Gesang III, and it is said that many details have long been misunderstood.
The solemn, full-bodied chorus soothes the mind and lulls babies into a deep sleep.
Although it was not composed as a lullaby, it is a classical number that brings a sense of calm.
Jesu, Joy of Man’s DesiringYohan Zebasuchian Bakkha
A piece by Johann Sebastian Bach, the Baroque-era musician often credited with laying the foundations of Western music and whose name is likely known to every Japanese person.
It is the final movement of the church cantata Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben, composed in 1723 and consisting of ten pieces.
Even those not well-versed in classical music have probably heard it at least once.
The majestic choral texture and divine melody that instantly evoke a church setting warmly envelop the listener’s heart.
It’s a piece I recommend for soothing babies to sleep.
Für EliseLudwig van Beethoven
A piece by the German composer Ludwig van Beethoven—known in Japan as the “Saint of Music” and one of the most important composers in music history—who had a profound influence on later musicians.
It’s a famous work that likely comes to mind first when thinking of classical piano pieces, and even people who don’t usually listen to classical music have probably heard it.
Written in rondo form, it repeats the same melody multiple times while inserting contrasting themes; despite its simple structure, the melody leaves a strong impression as its character changes over the course of the piece.
With its piano timbre and unfolding melody that gently invite sleep, it’s a classical number recommended for lulling babies to sleep.
Lullaby, Op. 16GABURIERU FŌRE
Gabriel Fauré’s Berceuse, Op.
16, by the French composer, is a beautiful work featuring harmonies between cello and piano.
The cello’s rich timbre and the piano’s enveloping warmth are perfect for helping a baby relax.
Played at a soothing tempo, it can lull even adults to sleep in no time.
Since babies are thought to read people’s facial expressions before they understand words, they’ll likely drift off, influenced by the serene, dreamy expressions of the family members listening along.
sleeping childRoberuto Shūman
This is No.
12, “The Sleeping Child,” from Scenes from Childhood by Robert Schumann, a composer who represents the German Romantic movement.
Just from the title, it’s perfect as a lullaby for a baby! Written in E minor and 2/4 time, it has a somewhat somber atmosphere, but the piano tone that seems to slip smoothly from the ears into the whole body is very pleasant.
With gentle dynamics and a relaxed pulse, by the time you finish listening, you’ll likely be lulled into a deep sleep.
[Lullabies] Classical music you want your baby to listen to. Bedtime music (21–30)
Sicilienne, Op. 78GABURIERU FŌRE
A holiday morning.
Even though you don’t really have to get up, sometimes you wake up out of weekday habit, right? For times like that, I recommend Fauré’s Sicilienne, Op.
78.
This masterpiece by the great composer Gabriel Fauré is widely used in Japanese media.
While it carries a slightly mysterious, hollow atmosphere, I think it’s perfectly soothing for drifting back to sleep.
If you’ve woken up too early and are at a loss, try listening to this piece and see if you can doze off again.
