How To Use White Noise To Calm Your Baby

If you’re a new parent, you’ve probably heard of white noise. It’s become increasingly popular as a way to help babies sleep better and calm them when they’re crying. But you may be wondering, is white noise safe for babies?

What is white noise and what’s the buzz around it?

White noise is a type of sound produced by combining all frequencies of sound. It’s often compared to the sound of a fan or TV static. White noise is pretty popular amongst young parents of a newborn because it can be used to help soothe and calm babies and help them sleep better. Lately, white noise has become a true trend, and brands use the buzz to sell tons of “white noise” toys and gadgets for tired parents.

But is it really safe for babies? And is it that miraculous?

There is some controversy surrounding white noise and whether or not it’s safe for babies. Some parents worry that it might be harmful to their baby’s hearing or development.

So what is the impact of white noise on babies’ sleep? And is white noise safe for babies? Let’s look at that a bit closer.

The pros of using white noise

It helps your baby to sleep

There are definitely some benefits to using white noise for babies. One of the main ones is that it can help your baby sleep better. If your baby is having trouble sleeping, white noise can be a great way to help them drift off.

A study published in 1990 in the Archives of Disease in Childhood found that white noise could be helpful for babies. Forty newborns were observed, and it was ascertained that 80 percent of them were able to fall asleep after five minutes of hearing white noise machine sounds.

So, how do you use white noise with a baby? You can find toys and machines specifically designed for babies, or you can download a white noise app on your phone. Nowadays there are plenty of solutions to create a white noise ambiance at home. Sometimes, the washing machine or the vacuum sound is enough to put your baby to sleep! Just make sure that the volume is low enough or the machine is far enough from the crib, so it doesn’t hurt your baby’s ears.

It calms your baby in a noisy place

Another great benefit of white noise is that it can help calm and soothe your baby in a noisy place. If you’re at a restaurant or in a crowded place, white noise can help block out all the extra noise and help your baby focus on sleeping or eating. This is great for instance when you have multiple children of different ages and you want to put your latest for a nap.

The cons of using white noise

Babies may become reliant on white noise

While there are some great benefits to using white noise, there are also some potential downsides. If white noise is your daily solution to put your baby to sleep sleep, your baby may become reliant on it and have trouble sleeping without it. Make sure then that you don’t use it all the time. Otherwise, your baby may start to associate sleep with the sound of white noise and have trouble falling asleep without it.

White noise isn’t totally risk-free

Another potential downside of white noise is that it’s not totally risk-free. While there’s no evidence that white noise is harmful to babies, some experts worry that it might be too loud for their delicate ears. If the volume is too high, it could damage your baby’s hearing.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) conducted a study in 2014 that tested 14 white noise machines designed for infants. What they discovered was that all of the machines had sound levels above what is considered safe for hospital nurseries, which is 50 decibels.

After continual exposure to these high sound pressure levels, it could potentially damage infant hearing and inhibit auditory development. As a result, pediatricians recommend keeping any white noise machine at least 7 feet away from your baby’s crib (2 meters) and on the lower volume setting.

Some babies don’t like white noise

Not all babies react positively to white noise. Some may find it too overwhelming or stimulating. If you notice that your baby is agitated or seems uncomfortable when you use white noise, it’s probably best to stop using it.

Conclusion

So, is white noise safe for babies? There are definitely some pros and cons to using white noise with a newborn. Ultimately, you’ll have to decide what’s best for your family. If you do choose to use white noise, make sure that the volume is low enough so it doesn’t hurt your baby’s ears. And if you notice that your baby is agitated or uncomfortable when you use it, it’s probably best to stop.