leep. It’s something all new parents covet after bringing baby home – for both themselves and their little ones.
Throughout the years, parents have adopted many tools and tricks to help babies sleep: rocking, swaddling, nursing, and more recently... noise.
Noise?
Although it seems counterintuitive, you don’t necessarily want absolute peace and quiet when it comes to your baby sleeping.
The womb is a noisy place, so babies are used to loud sounds - so it makes sense that using white noise can help lull babies to sleep (and keep them sleeping).
Sleep consultant Jill Spivack of Sleepy Planet says that she and her partner, Jennifer Waldburger, typically recommend using white noise when babies are first learning how to sleep. According to Spivack, “Babies are very curious about what is going on outside of their sleep environment. If they hear noises, it can be stimulating and may discourage them from falling asleep - or it can wake them out of their sleep.” Since outside noise can be extremely distracting, some babies may “need some protection from sound.”
What is White Noise?
White noise is a combination of different sounds or frequencies played together at the same time and at equal levels.
Benefits of White Noise
White noise can…
- Block out or mask other noises. This can be especially helpful during daytime naps when the doorbell is ringing, the dog is barking, the laundry is going, your older child is playing… basic day-to-day living!
- Help reduce the risk of SIDS.
- Help to reduce or ease colic.
