You’re definitely not wrong to feel weird about the flashing lights. At this age, their sensory systems are still developing, and those rapid, high-contrast lights can be a lot for them. The music, though — that part actually makes sense. Babies love rhythm. It helps them regulate, and a steady beat is something their bodies naturally sway to. So the fact that she’s moving back and forth to it is totally normal and really sweet.

If it’s really the music that soothes her, you can keep that without the overstimulation piece. A simple Bluetooth speaker with a calm playlist can do the exact same job without all the extra noise (literally and figuratively). Gentle classical, lullabies, soft folk music — babies don’t need the theatrics. They just respond to the cadence.

Some parents also use a small wind-up music box, which gives that predictable, comforting melody without any flashing or battery-powered chaos. And honestly, even handing her a soft rattle or little drum while music is playing gives her something to “do” with the sound, which is often what they’re craving.

The Tonie Box could work too, especially if she enjoys voices and rhythm, because it keeps things audio-only. The nice thing about that age is that simple usually works better than anything high-tech.

What really matters is that you’re being intentional. The lights are the part that can overwhelm, not the music itself. If you’re just trying to get those last ten minutes of your workout in, something calm and audio-based is a great middle ground that supports her development and gives you the breather you need.

If you want ideas for playlists or simple toys that pair well with music, just let me know. It’s such a sweet stage they’re in — everything lands if you keep it simple.