6 Surprising Songs to Soothe a Fussy Baby {Printable}

Babies sure are particular little boogers.

Feed me, change me, help me fall asleep because I’m tired but don’t know how to make it happen on my own and oh by the way, when you try to help me you should know that I WILL HATE YOU FOREVER.

And sometimes, everything you’ve learned about how to calm a crying baby is useless because they cry for no obvious reason. Suddenly, your trusty baby must haves aren’t delivering. No Super Nanny is knocking on your door at just the right moment to swoop in and save the day.

So you run through a mental checklist.

She can’t be hungry, she just ate!

DEAR GOD PLEASE DON’T LET IT BE GLUTEN.

And then you have babies’ taste in music.

Photo by wideeyedwonders

You never know what’s going to set them off.

Gone are the days of starting up your favorite playlist and relaxing on your way to the grocery store.

Our 5-month-old Bailey has this endearing habit of screaming at the top of her lungs every time we get in the car. Music is one of the only reliable things that will calm her down – but it has to be the RIGHT music.

She hates Michael Bublé and loves Maroon 5. Lullabies can suck it, but Johnny Cash is gold. Classical is out. Ron White monologues are in.

How to Calm a Crying Baby With 6 Unexpected Lullabies

This parent discovered that when his baby girl was fussy, Hypnotize by Notorious B.I.G. worked like magic.

But what if Notorious B.I.G. isn’t really up your alley?

Here are a few songs that always calm our little one down. Even better, with the exception of #6, these songs are worthy of your own non-baby-related playlists.

Give these tunes a try – your baby might like them too. Or maybe she’ll be into misogynistic, sexually explicit lyrics.

Dude, no judgment. Whatever works.

Download: A Checklist to Track Which Songs Your Baby Loves (With 4 Bonus Songs!)

1. Be OK by Ingrid Michaelson

I just want to be ok, be ok, be ok
I just want to be ok today

Listen: iTunes | Amazon MP3

2. Down To The River To Pray by Alison Krauss

Oh sisters let’s go down
Let’s go down, come on down
Oh sisters let’s go down
Down in the river to pray`

Listen: iTunes | Amazon MP3

3. Your Man Loves You, Honey by Tom T. Hall

Had my golf clubs on my shoulder
When you saw me first today
Wearin’ my old army sweater
That you thought you threw away

Listen: iTunes | Amazon MP3

4. Daddy Sang Bass by Johnny Cash

Daddy sang bass,
Mama sang tenor
Me and little brother would join right in there

Listen: iTunes | Amazon MP3

5. Chicago by Lucy Wainwright Roche

Isn’t it funny, even with toys
And all of the money
People will still come out to see
Lights in the sky, and over the lake
On the fourth of July
Isn’t it funny, isn’t it funny
Isn’t it simple after all

Listen: iTunes

6. Babies Little Self by Caspar Babypants

Okay, so this one may be not as surprising since it’s intended to be kids’ music in the first place. But it works so well I had to include it!

I can see baby’s little self
Baby’s little self in the morning time
I can see baby’s little hands
Baby’s little hands in the summertime
I can see baby’s little feet
Baby’s little feet in the eveningtime

Listen: iTunes | Amazon MP3

Download Your Free Checklist (With Bonus Songs!)

Use this checklist to keep track of which songs your baby loves. You’ll find these 6 songs, 4 more bonus songs that have worked for other parents, and blank rows to keep track of other songs you’ve tried.

1. Download the free checklist. You’ll get the printable, plus join my weekly newsletter! Just click here to download and subscribe.
2. Print. Any paper will do the trick, but card stock would be ideal.
3. Hang your checklist somewhere handy like on the fridge. Don’t forget to come back and share what works in a comment below!

Here’s a sneak peek of your printable checklist:

Want More?

For more tips on solving the mysteries of babies, follow my Pinterest board Bundle of Joy.

Your Turn

What song works (or worked once upon a time) to calm down your baby? Share your suggestion in a comment below!

Hi, I'm Kelly. I'm a mom to three girls, a recovering perfectionist, and the author of Happy You, Happy Family. Parenting is hard enough without all the guilt we heap on top of ourselves. So let's stop trying to be perfect parents and just be real ones. Sound good? Get 25+ incredibly helpful cheat sheets that will ease your parenting struggles.