New research reveals that music and sound aren’t just background noise, they can be powerful tools to help babies drift off and stay asleep. A recent survey of parents, coupled with an analysis of Spotify playlists designed to soothe infants, uncovers the key characteristics of music that can improve baby sleep routines.
Love To Dream, the baby sleepwear experts, examined 894 tracks from Spotify’s top baby sleep playlists and identified the ten most commonly used tracks and song features.
81% of Parents Currently use Music to Help Their Baby Fall Asleep.
According to a survey conducted through Love To Dream’s parenting network, 81% of parents currently use music or sound to help their baby fall asleep, and 69% include it consistently in their bedtime routine. White noise proved to be the most effective for soothing babies (70%), followed by lullabies (14%) and nature sounds (12%).
Pediatrician, Dr Sam Heitner has partnered with Love To Dream and explains why white noise works so well: “White noise mimics the constant, gentle sounds babies hear in the womb, creating a familiar and comforting environment. It also helps mask sudden household noises that might otherwise wake a baby, making it easier for them to settle and stay asleep.”
Most parents leave music playing after their baby falls asleep, with 65% letting it run for more than two hours. Importantly, 77% of parents report an improvement in their baby’s sleep when music or sound is included in their nightly routine.
Revealed: The Top 5 Songs that Send Babies to Sleep
Analysis of 30 popular baby sleep tracks on Spotify highlights clear patterns:
- White noise dominates, making up 57% of the tracks.
- Tracks typically feature tempos between 80 to 140 bpm.
- Keys such as C# major and A# minor appear frequently, providing gentle, calming tonalities.
Love To Dream reveals the top 5 songs for sending babies to sleep:
| Rank | Title | Artist | Popularity Score (%) | Tempo (bpm) | Key |
| 1 | Ruido Profundo | Ardeon | 79% | 92 | DMaj |
| 2 | You Are My Sunshine | Nursery Rhymes ABC | 78% | 97 | A#Maj |
| 3 | Deep & Dark – Seamless | Mentatranque | 77% | 86 | A#min |
| 4 | Brahms Lullaby | Mino Lawrence | 74% | 135 | GMaj |
| 5 | Sleepy Pink Waves | Natural Samples | 74% | 89 | C#Maj |
The full playlist can be found on Spotify.
Why Does Music Work?
Paediatrician Dr Samuel Heitner explains that babies respond to music in surprisingly complex ways. He says: “Even from an early age, certain sounds can influence a baby’s natural rhythms, including heart rate, breathing, and brain activity. Gentle, repetitive rhythms and familiar tracks can calm the nervous system, reduce stress, and promote deeper, restorative sleep.”
“Consistency is key,” adds Dr Heitner. “Playing the same soothing tracks each night helps babies associate the music with winding down, creating a clear sleep cue. This repetition strengthens neural connections and makes bedtime smoother for both babies and parents.”
Slower Tempos Help Babies’ Bodies Naturally Sync with the Rhythm.
Dr Heitner highlights the importance of tempo: “Most of the tracks featured in baby sleep playlists fall between 60 and 100 beats per minute, which closely matches a resting heart rate. These slower tempos help babies’ bodies naturally sync with the rhythm, making it easier to relax and fall asleep. Faster songs, by contrast, can be stimulating and may interfere with the sleep process.”
Don’t Place Speakers Next to the Crib.
“Keep the volume low, no higher than 50 decibels, and place speakers at least two meters away from the crib,” advises Dr Samuel Heitner. “Avoid using headphones and opt for screen-free devices whenever possible.” He adds, “Music or white noise can be played during bedtime routines, but it’s best to turn it off after 30 to 45 minutes once your baby is asleep. As babies grow, parents can gradually reduce or even phase out white noise, depending on their child’s preference.”
Love To Dream’s ultimate baby sleep playlist can be found here:
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
Methodology:
In July 2025, Love To Dream collected survey responses from parents via Instagram stories to understand baby sleep routines. For music analysis, 894 tracks from popular baby sleep playlists were sourced using Playlist Miner and Music Stax. Each track’s tempo, key, loudness, energy, and Spotify popularity were recorded and classified into seven categories, including lullabies, white noise, and nature sounds. Tracks were ranked by popularity, and the top 30 were analyzed for defining features such as BPM, key, energy, and length. This systematic approach reveals the musical and acoustic characteristics that make tracks most effective for supporting infant sleep.
About Love To Dream:
Love To Dream™ is a global leader in innovative baby sleepwear, trusted by millions of parents across over 50 countries. Founded in 2009 by Hana-Lia Krawchuk in Sydney, the brand revolutionized infant sleep with its patented Swaddle Up™ design, which allows babies to sleep in a natural arms-up position, promoting self-soothing and longer, safer sleep. Love To Dream™ offers a range of award-winning products, including swaddles, sleep suits, and sleep bags, all designed with safety and comfort in mind. The brand is committed to supporting families worldwide, providing expert-backed sleep solutions and giving back through charitable initiatives
About Dr Sam Heitner:
Dr Samuel Heitner is an experienced paediatrician with over 15 years of experience. He is the founder of Telebaby, offering Telehealth video consultations for newborns up to 12 months, along with an Acute Telehealth service for children of all ages who are currently unwell. Telebaby services are available Australia-wide, 7 days a week. Dr Sam is a paediatric consultant in the Emergency Department at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead. In addition, he works as a paediatrician at Sydney Southwest Private Hospital (SSWPH), providing care for babies in the special care nursery and the post-natal ward.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
