Music teacher and mum explains why a lullaby is not the most effective way to calm and soothe your baby to sleep
-Three key tips to offer relief to anxious parents and contentment to babies –
-Classes in St Mary and St Giles Church, Stony Stratford, Milton Keynes & Putnoe Heights Church, Bedford-
The internet and social media is rife with advice for anxious parents about the perfect hypnotic lullabies you must sing to soothe your baby to sleep. Whether it’s top 10 tunes or the magic and science behind lullabies, there is a plethora of information for overwhelmed parents. But when these tips don’t work, it can add to an already stressful situation.
Here’s some liberating news from music teacher and founder of Mini Mozart, Clare Shaw who runs classes in Bedford and Milton Keynes said: “The best lullaby is literally any song sung by you. Forget the must-sing lists, your voice is what your child loves and responds to most.”
The NHS states that while newborns average anywhere from eight up to 16-18 hours of sleep a day during the first two weeks, they wake up frequently and rarely sleep for more than four hours at a stretch, even at night. As your baby grows, they will be able to sleep for longer. Of course, these figures are based on averages, your baby will have their own pattern of waking and sleeping and it’s unlikely to be the same as other babies you know.
Clare an ex presenter for BBC Young Musician of The Year and The Proms offers three tips on how to help to calm, soothe and put your baby to sleep:
Personal touch: It’s not the song itself, but the sound of your voice that envelops your little one in comfort and calm. Whether it’s a chart-topper or a simple hum, if it’s sung by you, it’s perfect. Your voice carries a unique soothing power that no one else’s does. Your baby thinks that you are a star, they want to hear your voice more than anyone else, it gives them a sense of contentment.
Consistency over specifics: The soothing nature of bedtime songs has more to do with consistency than any specific tune. Singing the same melodies nightly creates a reassuring routine, signaling that it's time for sleep. This regularity is soothing, helping your child understand that bedtime is near. If you start now, your baby will soon be yawning at the sound of your melody.
Emotional assurance: As you sing, your focused presence—steady breathing, relaxed posture, and calm demeanour—transmits contentment and security to your child. They don’t just hear the lullaby; they feel your reassurance, making the bedtime experience deeply comforting. This experience is also beneficial for the care giver as singing and humming is the world’s most accessible stress reliever. The steady breathing, focus and firm control needed to sing stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, making the care-giver feel relaxed. In addition, the physical exertion involved in singing (the filling of lungs, the movement of the mouth and body), releases endorphins and boosts the care giver’s mood.
Mum of two Clare added: “These moments of song and closeness aren't just for now, they lay the foundation for your child’s emotional development. Consistent bedtime rituals foster a sense of predictability and safety, critical for healthy emotional growth. So next time you tuck in your little one, pick any song that feels right. What matters most is the love and regularity you bring to those quiet moments. Your nightly melody is a special time to connect, comfort, and celebrate the day’s end together.”
She concluded: “Growth spurts, teething and illnesses can all affect how your baby sleeps so be prepared to change routines as your baby grows and enters different stages. But the one thing that is consistent and will help to ride through these changes will be your calm and loving voice.”
About Mini Mozart
Established in 2005, Mini Mozart offers live orchestral music classes for babies and toddlers across 39 venues in London, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Surrey. At Mini Mozart children engage with orchestral music played by professional musicians (all music graduates) in a way that is impossible with recorded music. The classes are not designed to be static ‘baby friendly’ concerts or recitals, the children are encouraged to pluck, press, blow, scrape, bang whatever instrument is on offer. Each class features two or more live orchestral instruments with a piano accompanist. If a child completes the Mini Mozart course from baby to the start of school (reception) then they will have interacted with almost every orchestral instrument.
Mini Mozart prides itself on getting the children school ready. Besides the musicality and rhythm skills, children gain transferable skills including fine motor, language and social skills plus qualities such as confidence, curiosity, discipline and respect.
The company also provides entertainment for birthday parties or other celebrations and in nurseries by using music to support the EYFS Statutory Framework. Aside from in person sessions, Mini Mozart offers online classes which are available on-demand for £5 a month.
To help to make classical music available to all, the company offers a bursary scheme. Mini Mozart invites applications from families in receipt of Universal Credit or similar. The scheme offers selected children an 80% discount at their local class. Currently, Mini Mozart is seeking local businesses to sponsor families to give them the opportunity to enjoy the Mini Mozart experience.
About Clare-Louise Shaw, Founder, Mini Mozart
Mini Mozart was created by Clare-Louise Shaw in 2005 and is the culmination of over 20 years of experience combining musicianship, presenting and parenting.
After gaining music scholarships at Uppingham School and Berklee College of Music in the USA, and a music degree from Newcastle University, Clare joined BBC Music. There she worked with all of her heroes at the BBC Symphony Orchestra and The Proms winding up as a TV presenter for programmes like BBC Young Musician of the Year and The Proms.
In 2005, whilst on maternity leave, Clare decided to pursue a new venture. She already had a love of working with children and music having previously been a singer at Disneyland Paris. Her lightbulb moment came when she saw how much her son loved it when she played the violin, clarinet and piano to him. Without delay, she got her anti-natal group and her instruments together with a piano accompanist. And just like that, Mini Mozart was born. Through Mini Mozart, Clare has been able to combine her true passions of music, children and communication.
Clare is a graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses UK programme in conjunction with the Saïd Business School, University of Oxford. As an owner and leader of a small business, Clare has been instrumental in creating jobs, economic and educational opportunities to the communities that she serves.