White Noise and Sound Machines

Sound machines are an affordable tool and can be effective at improving infant sleep. They can be used for nighttime sleep and daytime naps. As you solidify your bedtime routine, your baby will become accustomed to the sound machine turning on and its association with falling asleep. Sound machines can block out background noise, be a comforting sound for some infants and help serve as a cue to an infant that it is time for sleep. Many sleep consultants report that they can be very useful to their families. Furthermore, sleep consultants suggest that the sound machines should be used throughout the entire period of sleep. In other words, they should not be on a timer and shut off before the infant has awoken. Before you decide to use a sound machine for your baby there are some things that you need to consider. Please discuss the utility of a sound machine for your baby with your child’s healthcare provider so they can address your family’s unique considerations and concerns. 

The Pros:

• Babies may be able to fall asleep faster with white or pink noise in the background.

• White and pink noise can block out household noise, such as older siblings.

• Some infant sound noise machines have a heartbeat setting mimicking the mother, which may be comforting for newborns.

The Cons:

• White noise machines may exceed recommended noise limits for babies.

• Babies can become dependent on sound machines to be able to fall asleep.

• Not all babies respond well to white noise.

• There may be some potential links to developmental problems. 1 

1 In 2014, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) tested 14 white noise machines designed for infants. They found that all of them exceeded recommended noise limits for hospital nurseries, which is set at 50 decibels. The study concluded that regular exposure to these sound pressure levels may be damaging to infant hearing and auditory development. Based on the findings of the AAP, pediatricians will generally recommend if a sound machine is used that it should be placed at least 7 feet away (200 cm) from your baby’s crib. You should also keep the volume on the machine below the maximum volume setting. If used, we recommend to try and wean your baby off by around 5 months.