White noise is touted by some as a miracle sleep tool, while others claim it can harm your baby’s hearing. So, which is it?
The good news: There is no strong evidence to suggest that white noise is harmful when proper volume levels are used (no more than 50 decibels).
The bad news: If you were looking for a miracle sleep tool, there is not strong evidence to suggest that it’s a game-changer, but it may help!
Whether or not you should use white noise will be a personal call:
Pros | Cons |
Soothing sleep aid, mimics the sound of the womb and may help with colic | Some white noise machines can be expensive |
Can reduce or block disruptive noises that might otherwise wake a baby | White noise machines may pose a risk to baby’s hearing if it exceeds the recommended noise level. |
May help baby fall asleep sooner | Evidence is weak that it actually improves overall sleep |
Some parents find it to be a positive sleep association | Some parents find it to be a negative dependency |
If you do decide to use white noise, take these additional steps to protect baby’s hearing:
Keep white noise at least 6.5 feet away from baby, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Use the NIOSH Sound Level Meter App to ensure your device is under the recommended 50 decibels.