As every parent knows, getting your kid to sleep is one of your biggest power struggles. As a parent you find ways to help your little one sleep peacefully through the night so you can get a good rest too. But this seems to be a big task.
Sleep is vital for both the baby and the parents. But for parents with a newborn it feels like a hard achieving dream. When nothing seems to work, parents are using white noise to help babies sleep peacefully at night.
What is this white noise and how it may aid your baby’s sleep? Let us explore in detail to help you make informed decisions before you think of incorporating white noise into your baby’s sleep routine.
What is White Noise?
White noise is a specific type of broadband sound that has equal intensity at all frequencies. It is used to mask other sounds that occur naturally in the environment, such as barking dogs, honking vehicles and loud noises. It makes other sounds in the environment less noticeable. For example, if you live in a city, white noise could help to mask the environmental noises associated with traffic.
White noise produces sound signals that are soothing and nature-inspired. It can induce sleep regardless of environmental noises. There are even white noises specifically designed for infants to help your little ones fall asleep easily.
How loud & at what volume should white noise be for a baby/toddler?
As long as white noise is at a healthy level, it is in no way harmful to your baby. It is important to maintain the volume of white noise so it’s safe for the babies. According to experts, 45 decibels is ideally the recommended noise level for infants and toddlers. Noise above 70 decibels over a prolonged period of time may damage hearing. All babies are sensitive to loud noise, so make sure the volume of white music may not seem louder to the child.
When using white noise for your baby, keep the decibel level low, not louder than 50 decibels and place the machine at a safer distance from your baby.
When to stop using white noise for a baby?
There is no definite time frame and guidelines for when to stop using white noise for a baby. Some parents prefer to use it until their child is 2-3 years old and develops the habit of falling asleep on their own, while other parents use white noise throughout the child’s early childhood until they are 4- 5 years old and can decide for themselves if they want it to play while they sleep.
Conclusion
White noise for babies provides a higher chance that they sleep peacefully through the night by masking any noise distractions that can affect their sound sleep. It is a useful sleeping aid for babies and toddlers, as long as they are used with safety and effectiveness. Parents must be cautious and keep the volume at a safe level so as to avoid any sort of hearing damage in children.
If you are having a hard time making your little one fall asleep then go ahead and try implementing white noise in your baby’s sleeping routine.