Sleep deprivation was no joke for me as a new mom. The sleepless nights, constant wake-ups, and groggy mornings were a tough combination. I felt like I was doing everything I could, but my baby just couldn’t stay asleep. That’s when I discovered white noise machines.
At first, I was a little hesitant. I wondered, Is white noise safe for babies? But after a lot of research, I learned that white noise could actually be a great way to help babies feel more secure and get longer, more restful sleep—as long as it’s used safely.
If you’re in the same boat, wondering how to make white noise work for your little one without compromising their safety, let me share what I found during my own search for the perfect white noise machine.
1. The benefits of white noise
For my baby, the familiar hum of white noise was a game-changer. It reminded her of the cozy environment in the womb, creating a soothing backdrop that helped her settle down. I found that having white noise on during naps and bedtime made all the difference, especially when there were barking dogs outside or other sudden noises that used to startle her awake.
It wasn’t just good for her—it was good for me too. When she slept, I could finally get a little rest myself, without feeling like I had to tiptoe around the house to avoid waking her.
2. Key features to look for
When I first started shopping for a white noise machine, I didn’t realize there were so many features to consider. Here are the ones that made the biggest difference for us:
Variety of Sounds: While classic white noise worked well, having options like rain or ocean waves gave me the flexibility to find the sound that calmed her the most.
Portability: We travel to visit family often, so having a machine that could easily fit in our diaper bag and had a rechargeable battery was a huge bonus. It helped keep her sleep routine consistent no matter where we were.
3. Gentle machines for peaceful sleep
I was really worried about keeping the volume safe for her tiny ears. Some machines are specifically designed to keep the sound gentle, with volume controls to prevent anything too loud. I found that natural sounds, like gentle rain or a soft heartbeat, were the most comforting for her, and they felt more respectful of her sensitive hearing.
4. Finding portable options for on-the-go
We’re on the go a lot, so a portable machine was a must. I looked for ones that were compact enough to take anywhere—whether we were heading to grandma’s or going on a weekend getaway. A few brands even had car adapters, which turned out to be so handy on road trips!
5. Machines with extra features
I didn’t expect to find so many extra features, but some machines came with soft night lights that gave off a warm glow, which was a big help during middle-of-the-night wake-ups. A gentle light helped her settle back to sleep without being too bright or startling. And a few machines even had Bluetooth options, so I could play her favorite lullabies whenever we needed to change things up.
6. Safe volume levels: My experience
I was really cautious about the volume levels. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends keeping the sound at or below 50 decibels—about as loud as a refrigerator hum. So, I tested the machine on different settings, making sure it was just loud enough to be soothing, but not overwhelming. Some models even had built-in sound level indicators, which made it easy to keep things in the safe zone.
7. My go-to brands
After a lot of trial and error, I found a couple of brands that really worked for us:
Marpac: This was a favorite because of its reliable, consistent sound. It became our go-to for home use, and I loved that I could trust it to be just the right volume every time.
Hatch: I loved Hatch because of its versatility. It’s fully customizable, which means you can tweak the settings as your baby’s needs change. Plus, it looks nice in the nursery, which was a small but welcome bonus!
8. Learning from Other Parents
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that other parents’ experiences can be incredibly helpful. Reading reviews and talking to other moms in my circle gave me so much insight into which machines held up over time, which ones were easy to use, and which brands had great customer service when things didn’t go as planned.
Sweet dreams,
👋 Alejandra Zuniga
💤 Pediatric Sleep Consultant
❤️️ I help parents around the world teach their babies independent sleep 'The Mindful Way'.
👀 Visit my website to discover how I can help your family get quality sleep.
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