White Noise
Is White Noise Good for Babies?
There are so many questions around white noise… Is it safe? Does it help? Is it worth my hard-earned dollars? Will it work for my baby?
So, let’s break it down!
Is it Safe?
Yes, it is safe. A few years ago, lots of questions were being raised regarding white noise machines damaging a baby’s hearing. These turned out to be nothing more than alarming headlines.
White noise machines should be around 50-60 decibels (at your baby’s head vs. at the machine). For comparison, studies that measured the sound inside the womb demonstrated it can reach over 90 decibels, so babies are accustomed to that level of sound.
Does it Help?
Yes, yes and yes. White noise is so helpful for babies through to the toddler years and beyond.
A newborn is used to the noise of the womb and white noise is similar, and thus is more comforting to them than silence.
It also then becomes a wonderful, portable sleep association and can be taken with you when napping on the go or on vacation.
However, my favourite use for white noise is to block out other noises that may delay your little one falling asleep, or on the flip side, wake them up prematurely. This is especially a concern if you live in a noisy area or have other children at home.
Is it Worth My Hard-Earned Dollars?
Yes! White noise machines are a fairly inexpensive yet fantastic tool to help your child sleep well. A happy, well-rested child will make every dollar worth it!
Will it work for my baby?
Not all babies love white noise, especially those who have auditory sensitivities. I advise parents to experiment (I recommend white noise for both daytime naps and overnight sleep) with a white noise machine and if your gut is telling you your little one doesn’t like it, then try something else.
For white noise to be effective, the volume should be around 50-60 decibels at their head (not at the source of the white noise). You can use a decibel app on your phone to confirm how loud it is, but as a rough guide it should be as loud as a shower.
There are many different types of white noise, so your child might prefer one type over another. The most common types are:
Non-looping track
No pauses, peaks, or drops.
There are also other types of ‘noise’ now easily available, such as brown, green, and pink noise.
There is no right or wrong option because every child is different, so I recommend choosing one that you like the sound of.
Overall, white noise machines are a great tool to support your little one’s sleep so don’t be afraid to give it a go! For more sleep support including how to better support your newborn’s sleep, optimize your own rest and how to create good sleep hygiene for the whole family, click here.