Classical Music for Babies: The Best Tunes & Why You Should Play Them

You won’t believe the benefits of classical music for babies! So we’ve rounded up the best albums on Amazon, Youtube, and other streaming services.

You won't believe the benefits of classical music for babies! So we've rounded up the best albums on Amazon, Youtube, and other streaming services.

There’s nothing quite as special as rocking your baby to sleep and singing a lullaby, but music isn’t limited to just nap time. Music can be a part of your day from morning to night! While babies can benefit from any genre, there is a lot to be said about classical music for babies.
In this post, we’ll cover:
  • The best classical music albums for babies
  • The best YouTube playlists for babies
  • And, of course, the benefits of classical music for babies

Best classical music for babies

Whether you stream music from Amazon Prime, listen on Youtube, or slide a good old fashioned CD into your sound system, there are many ways to listen to music, but here we’ll focus on albums available on Amazon and playlists on YouTube.

Best albums to buy on Amazon,

Brooklyn Sessions VII
Brooklyn Sessions VII by Brooklyn Duo

Brooklyn Duo combines the sound and artistry of classical music with today's hits so you'll probably find yourself humming along to these tunes. VII features Despacito, Havana, Zombie, and more. Love it? Brooklyn Duo has eight albums, named "Sessions I, Sessions II" etc.

— Check it Out —
Brooklyn Sessions VII
Cello Covers
Cello Covers by Nicholas Lee

Cello has one of the most soothing sounds, and like Brooklyn Duo, Nicholas Lee focuses on today's hits. This album features Stitches and Ain't No Sunshine. This album works well for naptime music, thanks to the soothing low tones of the cello.

— Check it Out —
Cello Covers
Baby Lullaby
Baby Lullaby by Einstein Lullaby Academy

Love the piano? Baby Lullaby features 40 lullabies—all soft, soothing piano pieces.

— Check it Out —
Baby Lullaby
The Best Classical Music for Kids and Babies by Ready Baby Music!
The Best Classical Music for Kids and Babies by Ready Baby Music!

With 37 tracks, this album is over two hours long—the perfect duration for most naps. This album is available for streaming on Prime and features classics from Swan Lake (Tchaikovsky), to Eine Kleine Nachtmusik (Mozart), to Fur Elise (Beethoven).

— Check it Out —
The Best Classical Music for Kids and Babies by Ready Baby Music!
Mozart The Complete Piano Sonatas by Carmen Piazzini
Mozart: The Complete Piano Sonatas by Carmen Piazzini

These sonatas are upbeat and build into beautiful sweeping pieces. Ideal for art time or free play.

— Check it Out —
Mozart The Complete Piano Sonatas by Carmen Piazzini
Bedtime Mozart Classical Lullabies for Babies by Classical Lullabies
Bedtime Mozart: Classical Lullabies for Babies by Classical Lullabies

This album showcases popular songs, such as Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, but also highlights works from Vivaldi, Mozart, and Pachabel.

— Check it Out —
Bedtime Mozart Classical Lullabies for Babies by Classical Lullabies
Bedtime Beethoven Classical Lullabies for Babies
Bedtime Beethoven: Classical Lullabies for Babies by Classical Lullabies

Available for streaming or for purchase as a CD, Bedtime Beethoven features favorites from Fur Elise to Ave Maria. This is a great CD for playing while reading bedtime stories.

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Bedtime Beethoven Classical Lullabies for Babies
The Tranquility of Classical Music: Piano, Cello and Violin for Relaxation
The Tranquility of Classical Music: Piano, Cello and Violin for Relaxation by Music for Deep Sleep

If you want a bedtime mix, choose this album. This album features a soothing combo of piano, cello, and violin.

— Check it Out —
The Tranquility of Classical Music: Piano, Cello and Violin for Relaxation

Best classical music for babies playlists on YouTube

Real mama tip: If you listen with YouTube, be aware that you may hear advertisements, which are usually at a volume higher than your music. This isn’t a big deal, but if you are using music for naps, be aware that the quick jolt from soft classical music to a loud commercial may wake your baby up (been there, done that!). In this case, consider using an album from Amazon, so you won’t have to worry about ads.

Best classical music playlists on Apple Music

Classical Sleep
Classical Sleep

Looking for a constantly curated list of songs that fit the bill? Then an Apple Music playlist might be right for you. Classical Sleep is constantly updated to give you the best classical tunes geared for sleeping. Bonus: No ads!

— Check it Out —
Classical Sleep
Classical for Sleeping
Classical for Sleeping

The Classical for Sleeping playlist features soft and soothing tones that are perfect for bedtime, naps, or even road trips.

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Classical for Sleeping
Piano Chill
Piano Chill

This playlist, which is updated every Thursday, features some of the traditional classics but also newer piano-only classical releases like Skye by Lambert and Michigan 7 by Kirill Richter.

— Check it Out —
Piano Chill
Classical Chill
Classical Chill

Updated on Fridays, the Classical Chill playlist has a relaxed vibe that’s perfect for playtime.

— Check it Out —
Classical Chill
Classical Covers Pop
Classical Covers Pop

Love pop music, but don’t want your baby to hear all the words? This album is right up your alley. It Featuring classical makeovers of favorites like Poker Face and Hey There Delilah, this album takes your pop favorites and eases them into the classical genre.

— Check it Out —
Classical Covers Pop
Yann Tiersen Essentials
Yann Tiersen Essentials

You know him best for his work in the movie Amelie, but French composer Yann Tiersen is a force to be reckoned with. His pieces are emotional, evocative, and masterfully beautiful. This playlist works well for a general playtime playlist, because there are some upbeat pieces, some singing (in a few pieces), and a mix of tempos.

— Check it Out —
Yann Tiersen Essentials

Benefits of Classical Music for Babies

Do you have a favorite album of classical music for babies? It’s normal to gravitate to a certain type of classical music. You might like the sound of a certain instrument or style, but regardless of what classical music you’re diggin’, there are plenty of reasons to keep the music playing:

Improves memory

Studies show that students who listen to classical music score better on tests. The same applies to babies learning about their world. (source, source) Specifically, music training helps improve brain function by creating more connections within the brain. (source) Your baby might not be ready to take up the piano, but it’s never too early to start listening to classical music and develop an appreciation for good music.

Improves language development

Listening to classical music can help improve your baby’s language skills. How? Your baby listens to the music and picks up on the “rhythm, timbral contracts, and melodic contour,” which later helps him focus on the syntax and semantics of the language. (source) Syntax and semantics refer to the structure of sentences, as well as the meanings we give words and phrases, so music literally helps them dissect how language is put together.

Reduces stress and supports mental health

Classical music is anecdotally connected to reduced stress levels, but a study published in the journal Urology confirms it: Music eases stress, even during medical procedures. (source)

Improves mood

Researchers from the University of Maryland School of Medicine found that music (specifically joyful music) has a positive effect on the heart, boosting your mood. Scientists can even measure your blood vessels dilate when listening to music. This might explain why babies (and even adults!) feel better after turning on the radio. (source)

Improves sleep

Classical music helps improve the quality of sleep your baby gets. (source) According to an article published in PLOS One, researchers describe four ways that music improves sleep:

  • Provides a routine (i.e. playing certain music at bedtime)
  • Becomes a habit that babies learn to associate with sleeping
  • Physically induces a mental state that’s suitable for sleeping
  • Distracts baby from other tasks

Masks ambient noise

Playing music masks those “house noises” that can disturb a sleeping baby. White noise machines do the same thing, but classical music is a great alternative if you’re traveling. Plus, you can take advantage of these other benefits of classical music, too.

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How About You?

What is your favorite classical album for your babies? When do you play music for your baby?

Genevieve Howland

About the Author

Genevieve Howland is a doula and childbirth educator. She is the bestselling author of The Mama Natural Week-by-Week Guide to Pregnancy and Childbirth and creator of the Mama Natural Birth Course. A mother of three, graduate of the University of Colorado, and YouTuber with over 135,000,000 views, she helps mothers and moms-to-be lead healthier and more natural lives.

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