When it comes to baby sleep, white noise can be such a helpful tool. It helps create a calming, womb-like environment and blocks out outside sounds that might disturb your baby's sleep.
However, many parents wonder if white noise is safe for their baby. I've heard everything from- white noise causes hearing loss, it causes speech delay, to it causing brain damage (these are all false btw). The good news? Research and experience support that white noise, when used correctly, is both safe and highly beneficial for infant sleep. Here’s why it works and how to use it effectively.
The Science Behind White Noise
White noise mimics the rhythmic sounds a baby hears in the womb. Inside, they’re constantly surrounded by the sounds of blood flow, heartbeats, and digestion, which create a constant, and might I add, loud sound (like as loud as a vacuum). Therefore, it's quite comforting and soothing to babies, making them feel secure and ready for sleep.
It's also helpful for masking other noises. For adults and babies alike, it helps block out sudden sounds—like a barking dog, a doorbell ringing, older noisy siblings—that can be startling, especially for babies in light sleep cycles.
White Noise Safety: Key Guidelines
To make sure white noise is as safe as it is effective, keep these guidelines in mind:
Keep the Volume Around 50-60 Decibels: Most experts recommend keeping the volume of white noise machines at or below 60 decibels—about the level of a normal conversation. This volume is enough to mask background noises without being too loud for your baby’s sensitive ears.
Position the Device at Least 6 Feet Away: Place the white noise machine a minimum of six feet away from your baby’s crib. This distance allows the sound to diffuse properly throughout the room, creating a soft, consistent hum that is still effective without being too close to baby.
Opt for Continuous, Deep Sounds: Choose noise options that play continuously through the night that way, your baby isn’t disturbed by a sudden silence if the sound shuts off or by music or other tones that could be too stimulating. Don't like white noise? Deep sounds such as ocean or thunder work well too.
But will my baby be hooked on the Sound Machine forever?
Some parents worry that it may be hard if their baby relies on the sound machine to fall asleep or that using white noise might prevent babies from learning to sleep through everyday sounds.
However, white noise doesn’t create dependency in the same way that other sleep associations might. When used consistently, it helps babies learn to settle and stay asleep, even as their natural sleep cycles progress. Studies suggest that white noise can actually shorten the time it takes for a baby to fall asleep and lead to more consolidated, higher-quality sleep.
If you want to phase it out, I recommend waiting until your child is closer to 3 years old before doing so. Then you can slowly wean it by decreasing the sound little by little until you aren't using it any more.
Final Thoughts
White noise is a safe, simple, and effective way to help your baby sleep better and longer. By following these safety tips, you can use white noise as a tool to create a restful sleep environment for your baby, without worrying about whether it will cause any damage. I recommend using it into toddlerhood. If you aren't already, give it a try—it might just make all the difference. Favorite sound machines here (use code alltuckedi for discount) and here.
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