One detail you will see over and over again in our resources is the role that white noise from sound machines plays in a great night’s sleep and daytime naps.
Below we explain the importance of white noise. We show you our favorite sound machines for home and travel, the LectroFan Classic and Alpha!
So, why is white noise so important?
Imagine going from the noise of a loud subway to everyone tip-toeing around you, literally. It’s almost silly to think we’re trying to hush the household to get your baby to sleep. What they really need is the relaxing familiarity of the sound of the womb (with normal household noise in the background).
In reality, our tummies are loud. The baby is used to the noise from the womb, amplified by the amniotic fluid. Playing with white noise creates a familiar and calm environment for the baby.
One of our favorite realizations came during a college football game. A great, unexpected play in the final seconds resulted in the fans filling the stadium with a roar of cheering. It was unforgettable. I like to think of the white noise as that sound. Every time they close their eyes, the sound of a hundred thousand cheers of support for this little one
Give me the details!
- The white noise is on all night and through naps.
- Place it approximately 2-3 feet from the head of the crib, level with the mattress, and on a safe surface outside the crib.
- We recommend a dual-firmness crib mattress like the Sleep & Grow Crib Mattress. It features extra-firm support that infants need on one side and less firmness on the other side to provide the comfort that toddlers prefer so that it will grow with your baby and their nursery!
- We are shooting for 62-70dcb when measured about 2-3 feet AWAY from a high-quality sound machine. There are several apps you can use to measure the decibels, like dB Meter PRO.
- NOTE: It needs to be high-quality white noise.
What’s the trick?
The sound is only white noise, not lullabies or ocean waves, nothing that makes the brain have to process. The brain can process or sleep, so white noise is the choice for sleep times. Lullabies are great for playtime and that sweet time right before bed that we like to call “tender time.” In short, we are providing what relaxes the brain, not what stimulates it. Not all white noise is created equal.
Want to know what we have found to be one of the keys to creating successful sleep habits thousands of times over?
There is a science to it! LectroFan has engineered the perfect white noise variations! We are proud to now offer them to Moms on Call families!
LectroFan has found a way to have a muted white noise. It does not have the loops playing the same sound again and again that some other sound machines have. Our favorite variations are the pink and brown noises!
LectroFans are designed with a wide range of soft to loud volume. It has ten white noises and clear speaker quality. Their compact design is perfect for any nightstand or dresser. Pin-point volume control creates a steady noise with no high pitch. In addition, these sound machines are built to last! So you won’t have to worry about them breaking at 2 am!
LectroFan and Moms on Call have you covered for travel too. When you have a nap on the go, or are heading out of town, the LectroFan Alpha is the small wonder that you can take anywhere with. It is USB charging and up to 40 hours of play per charge!
White noise & baby sleep
Babies learn by association and routine, and we use the ways they know to send consistent messages. This is what sleep looks like, feels like, and sounds like. Once we have established a great routine and sleep well every night, we can slowly decrease the white noise. Of course, we only use it when we are sick or have been away for a long time, but you may like it so much that you want one for your room too!
Is there more?
Yes, so much more, and it all works together. We can control what we can control (the sleep environment and the routine) to set our kids up for success. White noise is one of those details that we can control. Follow our blog! Check out our resources for getting all the details to help babies (and toddlers!) establish great sleep habits.
Check out the LectroFan Alpha to learn more about why we love it!
