Sound Advice: Do White Noise Machines Really Work for Babies?

It’s the middle of the night. Your baby’s eyes shoot open just as you stealthily attempt a ninja-style crib exit. Again.

You’ve rocked, fed, shushed, and whispered every sacred bedtime mantra. And now you’re wondering: would a white noise machine actually help?

The short answer: yes. But not all sound machines are created equal. And understanding why white noise works can help you make smarter choices...not just add another gadget to the graveyard of baby gear.

The Science Behind White Noise (and Why Babies Love It)

Before birth, your baby lived in a constant world of sound. The whoosh of blood flow, the rhythm of your heartbeat, the muffled rumble of your voice...all clocked in at around 80 to 90 decibels in utero, roughly the volume of a vacuum cleaner.

Silence, to a newborn, is unfamiliar and even unsettling.

White noise works by mimicking that womb-like environment. It creates a sound blanket that masks external disruptions; like barking dogs, creaky floorboards, or a doorbell rung by a courier delivering yet another thing you forgot you ordered at 3am.

What Studies Say

Numerous studies have shown the benefits of white noise for infant sleep:

• A 1990 study in Archives of Disease in Childhood found that 80% of newborns fell asleep within 5 minutes when exposed to white noise, compared to 25% in silence (Spencer et al., 1990).

• Research in Sleep Medicine Reviews confirms that white noise can significantly reduce sleep latency and increase sleep duration by helping babies (and adults) move between sleep cycles with fewer disruptions (Stanchina et al., 2005).

• A more recent 2021 paper published in Frontiers in Neurology emphasizes the soothing effects of predictable, repetitive sound patterns on the central nervous system, especially in infants under 12 months.

So yes...it’s not just a fad. It’s neuroscience.

Types of White Noise (and Why It Matters)

Not all white noise sounds the same. And not every baby likes the same thing.

• True white noise: a high-pitched hiss, like radio static. Effective but not always pleasant.

• Pink noise: a deeper, more natural-sounding version (think ocean waves). Easier on adult ears.

• Brown noise: even lower-frequency, rumbling (though less commonly used for infants).

Some babies prefer rhythmic, womb-like shushing, or soft instrumental lullabies layered on top.

This is where Shushiie® comes in. Designed with babies in mind (and interiors, too), it lets parents layer shushing, white noise, and lullabies; all with independent volume dials. That means you can tune your own blend, instead of getting stuck with chirping birds or a voiceover that says “Nighty-night” in a robot voice.

What to Look for in a Baby Sound Machine

If you're considering buying one (or gifting one to an exhausted friend), here’s what actually matters:

• Sound quality: Avoid devices with short, looping tracks or poor audio fidelity.

• Customisation: Babies are humans, not parrots. Their preferences shift. Get a device that adapts.

• No screens or blue light: Melatonin and screens don’t mix.

• Battery life: Because no one wants to replug it at 2am.

• Design: Let’s be honest, it’s going to live on your nightstand or nursery shelf. It shouldn’t look like a techy eyesore.

Can Babies Get “Addicted” to White Noise?

No. They get used to routines, but not in a harmful way. White noise becomes part of a sleep cue, not a crutch. According to pediatric sleep experts like Dr. Harvey Karp and the American Academy of Pediatrics, white noise is safe to use from birth if the volume is kept under 50 decibels and the device is placed at least 1 metre away from the baby’s head. It's also one of the easiest cues to remove from a routine, so you won't need to worry about developing a lifelong addiction.

So… Is It Worth It?

If you're on the fence, here’s the deal: sound machines aren't magic. They won’t solve reflux, hunger, or sleep regressions. But they will help block out the ambient chaos of modern life...and nudge your baby into better sleep habits.

Think of it like this: if rocking, feeding, and pacing the hallway are the main course, a good sound machine is the dessert.

Optional, but highly satisfying.