White noise is a popular tool used by parents to help soothe and calm their newborns to sleep. This simple and effective technique has been found to be highly effective in promoting sleep in infants. In this blog post, we'll explore the benefits of white noise for infant sleep and provide some evidence-based references to support these claims.
Promotes Longer Sleep Duration
One of the key benefits of white noise for infant sleep is its ability to promote longer sleep duration. According to a study published in the Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, white noise can help babies sleep for longer periods of time. In the study, infants who were exposed to white noise were found to sleep an average of 25% longer than those who were not. This means that incorporating white noise into your baby's sleep routine can help them get the restful sleep they need to thrive. Remember, you want to balance lengthening sleep stretches with ensuring that your baby is taking in enough calories throughout the day. If you’re nursing, you’ll also want to take into account how long you can go between feeds/pumps without getting uncomfortable.
Reduces Stress and Promotes Calmness
White noise has been found to be effective in reducing stress and promoting calmness in infants. A study published in the Journal of Pediatric Psychology found that infants who were exposed to white noise had lower levels of stress and showed signs of greater calmness during sleep. This can be especially helpful for parents who have a fussy baby who has trouble settling down for sleep. Even if you don’t use white noise all night, it can be worth trying out if baby is struggling to calm down.
Blocks Out Background Noise
White noise can be an effective way to block out background noise that might disturb a sleeping baby. This is especially important for parents who live in busy neighborhoods or have noisy neighbors. By masking these external sounds, white noise can help ensure that a baby's sleep is not interrupted. This can be crucial for establishing healthy sleep patterns and promoting better overall sleep quality. Wondering if it’s better for baby to get used to all the normal sounds in your house? I generally recommend starting with an ideal environment while baby learns to connect sleep cycles. As they get better at falling asleep and staying asleep independently, then you reduce how strictly you curate the environment.
Mimics the Womb
White noise mimics the sounds that a baby hears while in the womb, which can help to create a calming and soothing environment that can help to promote sleep and reduce stress in infants. By providing a familiar and comforting sound environment, white noise can help babies feel more secure and relaxed, which can lead to deeper and more restful sleep. Specifically, pink or brown noise is considered the closest to the sounds baby hears pre-birth and the best choice for sleep support.
By incorporating white noise into your baby's sleep routine, you can help ensure that they get the restful sleep they need to thrive. So, if you're a new parent or caregiver and you're looking for ways to help your baby get a better night's sleep, white noise might just be the solution you've been searching for.
If you’re looking for support in your baby sleep journey, you can learn more about my sleep support offerings here.
