When to Stop Using a White Noise Machine for Your Baby
All babies are different, but the one thing they all share seems to be the breathtaking speed at which they grow and change. As each week passes, your baby is constantly growing in and out of new clothes, quirks, and developmental stages. It’s a lot to take in.
Some of the ways your baby is maturing are more apparent than others. Perhaps your little one has had a growth spurt recently and you have piles of old onesies that just don’t seem to fit anymore. Obviously, it’s time for those to go! But what about the things that don’t have such clear indicators?
One that parents often question is how long to continue using their white noise machine.
At What Age is White Noise No Longer as Beneficial?
White noise at an appropriate sound level has no indicated negative effects. Only positive benefits come from the use of these helpful little machines.
While you’d think there might be some black-and-white answer for when to stop using white noise - the reality is a bit more gray. There is no clear age indicated where white noise machines stop being beneficial. In fact, it often comes down to a personal choice by the parents or even the child themselves.
White noise seems to be the most beneficial up until about 18-24 months of age.
While your baby is still developing, they are going through challenges that naturally disrupt sleep. For example, changes in circadian rhythm, the development of multiple sleep cycles, and other factors like teething. It’s best to use white noise at least until your child has gotten past these hurdles and is only taking 1-2 naps per day.
Pros of Using a White Noise Machine for Babies
Some parents choose to use the white noise machine even longer. They might carry on using the machine until their child is 3-4 years old and can decide on their own if they would like white noise played while they sleep. After all, children are the same as us adults, and we all have different preferences.
And why not let your child make the choice for themselves? I love giving children the opportunity to make more choices about their lives. Getting to have a part in small-scale decision-making can cut down on childhood frustration and bolster your child’s confidence.
Cons of Using a White Noise Machine for Babies
The one argument against using white noise for an extended period is the risk of becoming dependent on it to fall asleep. When white noise is not available, the worry is that your child will struggle to get to sleep on their own. Or worse, some worry that if the sound machine turns off, the baby will be startled awake.
Have you ever spent an entire summer with a fan running in your bedroom overnight? That first night after you pack it away for the season, the absence of the fan seems deafening. As with any sound you get used to over time, of course, you will notice when it is no longer there.
It’s the same with a white noise machine. If your child is used to having this blanket of comforting sound around them when they sleep, they may struggle to get to sleep without it.
Can Babies Get Addicted to White Noise?
Some parents may be worried about their baby getting “addicted” to white noise. I would challenge that idea by asking, are babies addicted to their pacifiers or blankies when using those to fall asleep? Usually, the answer would be no.
So is it an addiction, or are these items just another useful tool parents can rely on? Being able to comfort your child and help them rest is one of the most important things you can do as a parent. Think of white noise the same way you think of their other comfort items.
If you do choose to continue using the sound machine and worry about times when it is not available, consider the use of a portable sound machine. These devices are about the size of your palm and they produce the same kind of noise as your standard at-home sound machine. They can fit in your purse or diaper bag, or clip onto the stroller. These portable white noise machines can be a lifesaver if your baby falls asleep while running errands in a busy shopping mall, or on a long car ride.
Making the Choice to Stop or Keep Using White Noise
The decision on whether or not to continue using white noise is a personal one. You, as a parent, have to consider your child and their personal relationship with the sound machine. Does it really seem to help your child sleep, or do they seem unbothered by outside sounds?
Either decision is okay, but only you know the answer for your baby!
“I want to continue using white noise”
That’s totally fine! There are no negative side effects to using white noise.
In fact, a study by Child & Family Behavior Therapy proved that white noise is still useful beyond the first few months of a baby’s life. A group of one-year-olds was exposed to white noise at 75 dB (decibels) at bedtime. Compared to no white noise at all, having the noise played reduced bedtime resistance and prevented extra night wakings.
Anyone who has a one-year-old knows, one of the most difficult phases is when your child starts getting out of bed in the middle of the night. Whether they’re looking for another story or a sip of water, this little hiccup in the bedtime routine can quickly lengthen the entire night. One story leads to another and before you know it, your child is wide awake and fighting sleep. Meanwhile, you’re staring at the clock and starting to wonder how many hours of sleep you’ll be able to get tonight.
Can white noise really help to limit those events? I believe so, and it’s worth a try. White noise acts as a comforting buffer, so if your child does stir in bed, hopefully hearing it will get them back down to sleep quickly. For this reason, I think the extended use of white noise machines is a great addition to your parenting toolbelt.
“I want to stop using white noise”
No problem! If you’ve decided your child seems to get along fine without their white noise, it’s perfectly reasonable to stop using it. But don’t just unplug the sound machine all at once! It’s important to wean your baby off of white noise.
Weaning Your Baby Off of White Noise
Thinking about weaning your baby off of something they depend on always feels daunting, but I promise, this will be an easy one. After all, your baby is going to be sleeping through most of this process.
The first step is when to begin. Choose a time to start this process when your baby is already sleeping well. Be sure that they aren’t experiencing a period of sleep regression, too much nasal congestion, or any other barrier to good sleep.
I recommend working on removing white noise from naps first. This way, if your baby doesn’t sleep as well, it doesn’t have such a deep impact on their overall rest.
Nap 1: Start with the white noise at a normal level. After your baby falls asleep, lower it slowly to about half of the original volume.
Nap 2: Start white noise at ¾ the original volume. After your baby falls asleep, lower it slowly until it is just barely audible.
Nap 3: Start with white noise at half the original volume. After your baby falls asleep, slowly turn the white noise down until it is turned off.
Related: How to Manage the 3 to 2 Nap Transition
Continue this process until the white noise is so quiet, that your baby doesn’t notice when you don’t have the machine turned on for their naptime. Depending on their age and whether they are taking 1 or 2 naps per day, this process should take somewhere between 3-5 days.
When your baby is happily napping without their white noise machine, see how that translates to night sleep! They should now be ready to try going the night without any white noise.
Track Naps and Night Sleep With Baby Connect
Use our helpful app to track changes in your baby’s rest, be it during naps or overnight. This way, you can see if your baby is adjusting correctly to the change in their sleep routine.
The Baby Connect app gives you the ability to log all of the data involved with your child’s care, and it’ll even generate insightful charts to share at their next pediatrician’s visit.
