Although though most parents now swaddle their kids, I’m often surprised by how few also employ white noise to help their children sleep better. White noise is an incredibly potent cue for falling asleep…and sleeping longer. It works wonders with fussy newborns. As crucial as swaddling is this unique sound. White noise really made it possible for 80% of babies in a 40-baby trial to doze off in just 5 minutes! According to a different study, white noise helps colicky newborns fall asleep faster and with less crying time. White noise can aid in better sleep, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Let me explain how everything operates and how white noise can benefit you and your child.

Why does white noise lull babies to sleep?

A crucial component of the Happiest Baby sleep strategy is white noise. It helps activate your baby’s soothing reaction, often known as their internal «reset button,» which reduces crying and promotes sleep. A rough, slightly harsh noise that is as loud as your child’s sobbing works best for calming fussing. Just placing your mouth next to your baby’s ear and uttering a loud «Shhhhhhhhhhhh» sound will generate this sound. White noise, however, is not solely used to stop weeping. Moreover, a low-pitched, rumblier sound encourages slumber. And since whispering «Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhh» in your child’s ear during naps and at night might be challenging, using a white noise generator is a smart move.

How might white noise help a baby sleep?

Your baby will be able to tell when it’s time to go to sleep thanks to white noise, which helps to create a soothing environment for them. White noise works so well because it imitates the sounds your kid heard while still in the womb. White noise can still put people to sleep today as it did before. In addition to masking internal discomforts like teething and mild hunger, white noise also blocks out external distractions like a noisy truck or a TV playing in the next room, promoting even more ZZZs.

Play white noise in the background as your infant is getting ready for bed to start using it. This will soon alert your significant other that their slip into sleep is imminent. And even once Baby’s calming reflex progressively vanishes after three to four months, this will still be effective. Your baby will have figured out by that point that white noise indicates that it is time for bed. Your beautiful baby will therefore think, «Oh yeah, I recognise that sound…now I’ll have nice sleep,» each time you play white noise in the background. (Everything is incredibly Pavlovian!)

Which white noise best induces sleep in infants?

Even though many white noise devices and apps have 20 or more sounds, only nonstop, repetitive, and low-pitched noises can help babies fall asleep. (Unreliable noises, such as the sound of waves or birds chirping, just don’t work.) The greatest white noise sounds for baby sleep also imitate the loud, rumbling noises they were exposed to during their nine months in the womb. I advise using our Happiest Baby SNOO sounds download, our award-winning SNOO bassinet, and/or a white noise machine like SNOObie or SNOObear…where you can always find all the correct sounds! — to ensure that you’re providing your child the ideal sleep noises. Here are some of the best baby sleep sounds created especially for SNOO:

Rain: Calming and peaceful for parents and babies
Powerful hair dryer: soothes agitated children
White noise that moves quickly and vigorously is ideal for fussy newborns.
Another two in SNOObear
Train: A soothing pulse like the heart.
Shush: Exact imitation of what seasoned parents do to quiet fussing

Can white noise be continuously played for infants?

White noise shouldn’t be utilised constantly, just like swaddling. The reason for this is that you want to give your baby’s ears and brain a break each day for a few hours so they can get used to the noises of your home and your voice. Thus, reserve the white noise for use in soothing your baby’s cries and enhancing naps and nocturnal sleep.

What white noise volume do you think is best?

In order to match your baby’s sobbing, which can be between 100 and 120 decibels loud when they’re agitated, you should turn up the white noise. The volume should gradually be lowered to 60 to 70 decibels once your infant has gone sleeping. It’s safe to play music nonstop at that volume. (FYI: After 30 or 60 minutes, depending on your preference, SNOObear’s white noise will automatically switch off.) To put this into perspective, research indicates that the sound within the womb can reach above 90 dB, which is the strength of a hair dryer, whereas 70 decibels sounds like a shower.

When should you stop using baby white noise?

White noise doesn’t need to be turned off. There is no harm in utilising white noise to promote sleep with children or adults, as many parents have done for years. But if you decide to stop, no problems. White noise can easily be weaned off whenever you desire. Simply gradually reduce the volume over the course of a week or two until it is completely gone.

References:

Cerclage Use: A Review of 3 National Guidelines
Noise distracts foraging bats
How Noise Affects Children