How Loud Should White Noise Machines be for a Baby?

The white noise machine has become a staple item on today’s baby registries, just as essential as any swaddle or pacifier. These devices are one of the most popular sleep products used by parents in their child’s sleep routines.

White noise machines can help a baby fall asleep by creating a comforting blanket of sound that blocks out any outside stimuli. Though these devices are increasing in sales and popularity, there aren’t a lot of clear guidelines as to exactly how you should use your new sound machine. Parents are asking, just how loud should the white noise be?

How Loud Should White Noise Be For An Infant?

Babies should not be exposed to sounds over 60 decibels. Hospital nurseries keep things a bit quieter, at a regulated 50 dB. Around 80-85 decibels is when you have to start worrying about hearing damage. For reference, here are some decibel measurements of everyday sounds:

• 50 dB - The hum of a refrigerator

• 60 dB - Normal conversation

• 70 dB - A washing machine

• 80 dB - A blender

Now, does this mean your baby can never be exposed to sounds louder than normal conversation? Not at all. When we’re looking at the possibility of hearing damage, it is both the decibel strength and the length of exposure that come into play.

Loud sounds are going to happen in daily life, but it is long-term exposure to those loud sounds that may cause hearing issues. This is why the sound machine is such an important device to have set properly. Your baby is going to be listening to it daily, for hours at a time.

Why Use a White Noise Machine for a Baby

So now that you know how loud a sound machine should be set, you may be wondering why white noise is so beneficial for your baby. Quality sleep is essential for infants, as they are going through many developmental changes and growth spurts. If white noise could offer them better rest, why not give it a try?

White Noise Is Proven to Help Babies Get to Sleep Faster

In a study by Archives of Disease in Childhood, 20 infants were studied in a randomized trial. 80% fell asleep within five minutes in response to white noise, compared to only 25% who fell asleep without the help of white noise. The study determined that white noise may help parents to settle difficult babies. Not only was sleep achieved earlier, but the sleep time duration was also longer.

Avoid Short Naps Due to Outside Sounds

We’ve all done something like this before; your baby is asleep, and finally, you want to use this precious free time to empty the dishwasher. But you drop a glass, and the baby wakes up! 

This is exactly why some parents choose to use white noise machines. Maybe their job requires them to make noise on the phone throughout the day, or there are rowdy siblings who are awake downstairs during naptime. No matter what noise you are trying to drown out, a white noise machine will act as a curtain of sound, blocking out any outside noise.

To get the most out of your naps, try pairing your sound machine with blackout curtains. This combination of sound and darkness replicates the comfort of the womb, encouraging your child to take long and restful naps.

Using a White Noise Machine for Baby: Frequently Asked Questions

It might feel counter-intuitive to use a white noise machine for a baby. Here are some answers to common questions that parents have.

Is it safe to play white noise for my baby?

White noise machines are safe for use with infants and children of all ages! In fact, they can strengthen the ritualistic feeling of a bedtime routine that tells your baby that it’s time for rest.

At what decibel range should I set my white noise machine?

Try out what works best for your baby, but keep it within the range of 50-65 dB. Too much higher, and you risk causing damage to your baby’s sensitive ears.

Should I leave the white noise machine on for my baby overnight?

As long as you have your white noise machine set to an appropriate sound level, it is perfectly safe to play every time your baby sleeps. Try using white noise during both night sleep and naps to keep a consistent sleep routine.

How far away from the crib should I put the white noise machine?

According to a study by the American Academy of Pediatrics, it is recommended that sound machines are kept at least 7 feet from the baby’s crib and that the device not be played at maximum volume. Following this guideline will help to protect your baby’s hearing while they are getting the best sleep.

What type of noise should I choose?

When it comes to types of noise, white is not the only option available. Some people choose to use pink noise, which is quieter in the high-frequencies and louder in the low-frequency. This sounds similar to light rain, or the sound of the wind.

My personal favorite is brown noise, which has an even deeper low frequency that creates a comforting muffled sound. Some sound machines even create a ‘shushing’ sound, mimicking the intrauterine swishing sounds your baby heard throughout pregnancy. There are so many options to choose from!

At what age do you stop using a sound machine?

There is no age requirement for stopping the use of a sound machine. In fact, in Child & Family Behavior Therapy, there was a study published in which it was determined that white noise machines even benefitted 1-year-olds and toddlers. Playing white noise throughout the night kept toddlers asleep in their beds for longer periods of time.

You may not be surprised to hear that white noise machines have also been rising in popularity with adults, so no need to stop anytime soon! After adding it to your baby’s routine, why not try it out yourself?

Tracking Your Sleep Data To Observe Changes

Once you’re ready to add a white noise machine to your sleep time routine, consider logging your baby’s naps to track any progress that is made. Do you notice their naps growing longer, or are you seeing baby tossing and turning less on the monitor? Do they sleep longer in the morning and seem more rested throughout the day?

Logging naps can get complicated if you don’t have a system in place. Try an app like Baby Connect to help you keep track of all of that data. Between nap time, night sleep, feedings, diaper changes, and more, Baby Connect delivers a center of information all about your child. 

Being able to see trending data is so helpful when making changes to a sleep schedule, and your child’s data can even be shown to their pediatrician during their next visit!