Lullabies are soothing and gentle and are often connected to culture and tradition. Rocking baby to sleep with song is a gentle way to provide reassurance and teach empathy as baby learns through repetition, story, language and rhythm.

Why do it?

  • Lullabies and Oriori are traditional to most cultures. They’re a way of passing on beliefs and knowledge.
  • Baby knows your voice and will be soothed and reassured by hearing you sing or hum.
  • Singing to baby helps them to learn language.
  • If you sing and rock or sway with baby in your arms, they may be reminded of the time before birth. This will introduce baby to rhythm and dance.

How to do it

  • A lullaby is supposed to be soothing, so choose a song that is not too ‘interesting’.
  • A helpful formula is ‘repeat to soothe’ — so be ready to sing the lullaby over and over, getting slower and softer.
  • If you sang to baby before they were born, that might be the best song to sing, as baby is already familiar with it.
  • ‘Moe moe pēpi’ is in Whakatipu booklet Te Pihinga 1 (page 9), and you can hear it on the Whakatipu page of the Tākai website too.
  • If your whānau has a traditional lullaby/oriori, that would be wonderful for baby to hear.
  • Softly humming can work for some parents and babies.
  • For more lullabies, visit the Bussongs website.(external link)

Using more reo Māori

Te reo Māori English
Waiata mai Sing to me
Action songs
Smile
Clap
E oho Wake up
Haramai, e te tau Come here, my darling
Tō ātaahua hoki! You’re so beautiful
Kua oho mai koe You’re awake
Kaua e tangi, e te tau Don’t cry my darling
Ka mirimiri au i tō tuarā I’ll rub your back
Me moe koe. You should go to sleep
Lie down
Turituri tō waha Be quiet
Katia mai ō karu Close your eyes
Homai he kihi Give me a kiss
Homai he awhi Give me a cuddle
Dream
Bed

Waiata mai

Singing soothes tamariki and builds their brain. Check out our waiata section for more than 100 songs for tamariki and pēpi, including songs in Pacific languages and te reo Māori.

Find songs and rhymes
Mother plays guitar with her daughter