On a personal note, I consider the white noise machine to be one of the greatest inventions ever. For some reason, the floors in London tend to creak quite a bit, and amusingly enough, there’s a particular spot right outside my son’s room that inevitably wakes me up. My husband must find it a bit tedious because every morning I remind him to carefully maneuver around that spot to avoid waking our son—even though we have a white noise machine! While it may sound a bit excessive, ensuring my son sleeps until 8 AM instead of waking at 5 AM when my husband gets ready for work is crucial. Those extra three peaceful hours are invaluable as I prepare for the whirlwind of activities my little one brings each day.
So, as you can imagine – I am a big advocate for the white noise machine and I recommend it to my clients all the time. Although I personally recommend the white noise machine, a couple of my clients are a bit more reluctant to use it and given some of the headlines in the news I can understand why.
What is a white noise machine?
A white noise machine is a device that emits sounds designed to mask background noise, helping to create a calming environment conducive to relaxation or sleep. It generates a consistent ambient noise that can resemble the womb. Often used in nurseries, white noise machines can help babies and children fall asleep more easily by covering up disruptive noises, such as traffic or loud neighbours.
Benefits of using a white noise machine
White noise machines can significantly enhance your baby’s sleep quality. While they are beneficial at night, they prove especially helpful during the day when household activities, bustling street noise, honking cars, and ringing doorbells can be disruptive. Consistent, uninterrupted sleep is crucial, and even though a white noise machine is considered a sleep aid, it can be incredibly effective in creating a peaceful sleep environment.
A study involving two groups of 20 newborns, aged between 2 and 7 days, was conducted in a randomised trial. In the group exposed to white noise, 80% of the infants fell asleep within 5 minutes, while the others in the non-white noise group found it more challenging to drift off. This research indicates that white noise machines have a calming effect on babies.
Apart from actual sleep itself, it sets the tone of sleep time and makes your baby aware that now they are switching from playtime to sleep time.
What level should you put the white noise machine?
After thoroughly researching this topic, I believed it best to have an open discussion, allowing you to decide whether or not you want to use a white noise machine. Studies have indicated that these machines could potentially impact the sound pressure experienced by babies, which is concerning. Since we’re dealing with such delicate little ones, their protection is paramount.
A 2014 study titled *Infant Sleep Machines and Hazardous Sound Pressure Levels* suggests that increased noise could raise the risk of hearing loss in infants. This study provides an in-depth analysis of the optimal settings for white noise machines and whether they should be used. According to the research by AAP, these devices can certainly be used, but they must be kept at a maximum level of 50 decibels, 6 feet away. This level, which is used in hospital nurseries, is roughly equivalent to the volume of a quiet conversation.
I had an experience with my own son that underscores the importance of monitoring sound levels. One night, I was feeling under the weather and had a nurse come to help. While resting in my room, I heard an unusually loud noise coming from my son’s room. I was puzzled because the white noise machine we use is set to a maximum, acceptable level. When I went to investigate, I discovered that the nurse had turned on white noise from her phone at full volume. I immediately asked her to turn it off because I found it ear-piercing myself. The reason I share this is to illustrate that you’ll recognise when the noise level is acceptable or not and more so, to use machines that are reputable.
The news did shed light
Often, the news can have a negative impact and cause confusion. In this instance, it did, as the headlines of several articles were misleading. They emphasised that the experiment involving 14 machines led to noise-induced hearing loss. These machines operated above 50 decibels and placed in close proximity and that is of course harmful. However, I believe this situation also highlights an important point: we frequently ignore instruction manuals and don’t consider potential harm, especially when it comes to children.
We tend to assume that devices available in reputable stores are completely safe. However, as parents, it’s crucial that we take the time to read labels and instructions. What I appreciate about this situation is that it raises awareness among parents and sleep consultants alike. It emphasizes the need to recommend using white noise machines at safe volume levels, as exceeding these levels can be harmful to a baby. This increased awareness can lead to more informed decisions that prioritise the safety and well-being of children.
Almost anything can be a potential risk, don’t you think? For instance, if the battery cover on a baby toy isn’t securely fastened, there’s a danger that your child might swallow a battery. Similarly, leaving your baby to sleep in a rocker could impede their airflow. Everything indeed carries some risk. Personally, I believe that the news plays a crucial role in highlighting our responsibility to understand how to make useful tools safe.
Hospitals do use white noise machines and if it did create any harm, then they would not.
Which machines should you buy?
As parents, ensuring the safety and comfort of your child is always a top priority, especially when it comes to selecting a white noise machine. It’s essential to choose a device that operates at a sound level safe for babies, generally recommended to be no louder than a gentle conversation, around 50 dB. Trust your instincts and use this guideline when setting up any machine.
While it’s true that many current white noise machines do not display the exact decibel level, you can confidently rely on these devices by keeping in mind that if the sound level resembles that of a quiet conversation, it is typically safe for your child (to have peace of mind, don’t put it at the maximum level). If you’re concerned about the sound levels, look for reputable brands known for their focus on baby safety.
Recommended white noise machines:
- Dreamegg white noise machine: simple to use, good audio quality, sound level functionality
- Sweet Dreamers, Ewan the Dream Sheep: a crowds favourite – looks cute, mimics the womb sound at the right volume level and also emits light to help with melatonin.
- Tommee Tippee Dreammaker Baby Sleep Aid: Created by sleep experts, this device functions as a pink noise machine, offering a gentler alternative to standard white noise while maintaining the same soothing effects. Notably, this machine stands out due to its smart features—it automatically turns off once your baby falls asleep. Additionally, you have the option to enable a setting that will reactivate the sound if your baby begins to cry.
- Love to dream sleep machine: has 9 soothing sound, cry detection, night light and 16 levels of volume.
White noise versus pink noise
White noise and pink noise are both used to mask ambient sounds, but they differ in frequency distribution and auditory perception. White noise includes all audible frequencies at equal intensity, creating a sharp, static-like sound, similar to radio static. It effectively masks diverse background noises, making it popular for sleep and focus. In contrast, pink noise emphasizes lower frequencies, creating a deeper, more soothing sound reminiscent of natural environments such as rainfall or ocean waves. This distribution provides a calmer auditory experience, often preferred for relaxation and improving sleep quality.
If you’re not as comfortable with a white noise machine, consider pink noise, which is softer and decreases by 3 decibels with each ascending octave.
Should your baby be dependent on the white noise machine?
While it’s true that a white noise machine can be considered a sleep prop, unlike other sleep aids, it doesn’t require involvement from parents or caregivers. When used correctly, it doesn’t negatively impact your child. However, there is a risk that your child might become too reliant on it and have trouble falling asleep without it. To avoid this, don’t leave it running all night. Instead, choose a setting that turns off automatically. This way, your baby benefits from the calming effect without becoming dependent on the machine, as they will naturally wake up during the night and can learn to fall back asleep on their own once the machine has turned off.
In conclusion, although manufacturers have yet to universally implement dB limit displays on these machines, investing in a dedicated white noise or pink noise device is generally preferable to using a smartphone. White noise machines are designed with consistent sound quality and safety features specifically for babies, alleviating concerns related to prolonged phone use nearby. By conducting thorough research and following established guidelines, you can create a serene and secure environment promoting better sleep for your little one.
