The White Noise Debate!

The white noise and sound machine debate!

Many parents ask me about whether I recommend using these machines and my answer is always YES!!! They are a key aid when creating a pro-sleep environment when used to enable your child to sleep better and for longer.

Now, when I had my own son, I believed that these wonderful machines would put my son to sleep and save me from the endless bed and naptime battles. There is evidence to suggest that these machines encourage relaxation and are great for newborns as they mimic the sound inside the womb. However, for me the main reason I recommend these machines is that they promote extended periods of sleep as they block out external sounds such as the dog barking, noisy partners or other siblings.

Are they not a prop then?

No, not if used to extend sleep. We are not using these machines to put our children to sleep, we are using them to keep them asleep, therefore there is no concern of them becoming a prop as they aren’t relying on them. The main aim here is to create a perfect sleep environment to ensure that they are getting good quality kip and for longer stretches as often as possible.

As with anything around our precious little ones we must always adhere to safety and we certainly do not want to damage our babies’ little ears by having them too loud or too close to them constantly.

How loud should they be?

Around 50-55 decibels. Now, you are probably thinking what an earth does that mean? You can download many apps to measure this, but my go to is to ensure it is no louder than the sound of a running shower.

Where should I place it?

Ideally you want it at the furthest point in the room away from baby, usually by the window or door. I have mine by the door as it blocks out the sound from the bathroom and any noises in the hall outside of his room. I have seen some posts about placing them under cots/ beds but for me this isn’t ideal. You want them located so that the machine is near the potential source of disturbance.

When should I stop using them?

Well, I am in my mid 40’s and use one as I am such a light sleeper and my son who is nearly 4 also has one. The decision is entirely yours, as long as you are using them safely there is no reason to stop.

Always here if you have any questions or need some additional support with your little person’s sleep concerns.

Love

Alex

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