The Best White Noises to Help Baby Sleep

If you’re having trouble with your baby's sleep, your life will surely change with white noises! This sound background is known for its hypnotic and almost "magical" effects in helping little ones fall asleep.
Well, not so magical after all: they actually help neutralize ambient noise and also remind the baby of the nine months spent in their mother’s womb.

And even though science hasn't fully unraveled the reasons for this calming power, parents can attest to its real effectiveness. So, which white noises will save your nights? Here are some tips from parents...

1. The Sound of Airflow
Vacuum cleaner, fan, hairdryer, kitchen hood… Airflow sounds are quite magical for putting a baby to sleep! They can capture the baby’s attention and often calm them instantly.

For Charlotte, a mother of four (ages 1.5, 3, 7, and 10), the arrival of her youngest was a total rediscovery of motherhood. Using white noise helped her regain sleep:

“At about 2-3 months, my daughter couldn’t sleep a wink at night! One evening, out of ideas, I turned on the kitchen hood. And there, as if by magic, Lou calmed down... Instantly! She seemed hypnotized by the airflow sound. She fell asleep in my arms 3 minutes later… A dream! I repeated this little ritual on all the difficult nights. It lasted a few weeks, and little by little, she no longer needed the airflow sound.”

2. Water Sounds
Waterfalls, the regular sounds of waves or rain… Water sounds are also perfect for soothing a baby and helping them fall asleep peacefully.

Lucie, a mother of two (ages 10 months and 4 years), discovered the magic of water sounds by chance.

“At about 3 months, my son suddenly didn’t want to sleep anymore. At 11 PM, it was impossible to put him down. One evening, my partner was trying to rock him while I took a shower. And then the revelation! I was washing my hair and couldn’t hear anything, but by pacing back and forth in front of the half-open door, our baby stopped squirming... and finally fell asleep! A dream…”

3. The Sound of a Car
Babies particularly love this monotonous and continuous hum that surely reminds them of the time they floated in their mother’s womb. This idea will surely appeal to dads who are interested: car manufacturers have thought of parents overwhelmed by a child who doesn’t want to sleep. They have designed cradles like Renault's Dream Cuddle or Ford's bed, which reproduce the rumble of a car engine...

4. Heartbeat Sounds
One of the magical remedies for calming a baby is to place them against your chest. Parents can take advantage of skin-to-skin cuddles to help them fall asleep, nestled against their heart. Your baby is calmed by the regular sound of your heartbeat. This natural white noise also has the ability to synchronize heart rhythms, magically lowering tension.

5. White Noise Playlists
If no sound works for your child, you can turn to ready-made playlists on YouTube or Dailymotion.

Manufacturers have developed plush toys and other cuddly items that produce white noise. Brands like My Hummy, Easydream, or Whisbear sell toys that make soft and soothing sounds.

6. White Noise Apps
Don’t have a water feature or hairdryer nearby, BUT do you have a mobile phone? Cool: you can download Sleepmaker Rain, SleepBot, Nature Sounds Relax and Sleep, or RelaxMelodies to help relax your little one.

7. And What About Pink Noise?
Have you heard of pink noise? It’s a variation of white noise. The difference is that the intensity of the highest frequencies is reduced. Pink noise is therefore a softer sound, a deeper sound, and apparently more relaxing.

The Downside of White Noise for Helping Your Baby Sleep
Some professionals recommend limiting the use of white noise. Why? Because using a technique that conditions your baby to fall asleep doesn’t make them independent. Sleep is a natural function that should occur naturally and without external help. A child who has gotten used to falling asleep with white noise might have trouble falling asleep alone later on... Now, although many mothers’ testimonials praise the magical powers of white noise, every child is different! Children will be more or less sensitive to the experience. So if your child doesn’t respond to this method, don’t lose hope :) There are many other techniques to try to help your child sleep...