White Noise vs Shushing vs Lullabies: Which Sound Really Works?

When it comes to helping your baby fall asleep, do you go with the ancient art of shushing, the hum of white noise, or the classic lullaby passed down from your grandmother?

If you’ve ever whispered “shhh shhh shhh” on repeat until your own vocal cords felt like giving out, or turned your phone into a white noise machine only to get interrupted by a WhatsApp ping or phone call from a delivery driver, you’re in good company. But what do the experts say actually works? Let’s break it down.

The Science of Soothing Sounds

Babies are born into a world that is, quite literally, too quiet. The womb is surprisingly noisy. Between the sound of blood rushing, digestive gurgling, and your heartbeat, your baby spent nine months surrounded by a constant soundtrack that clocked in at around 80 to 90 decibels (about as loud as a vacuum cleaner).

So when they're suddenly placed in a dead-silent nursery, it can feel jarring. That’s where these soothing sound options come in.

White Noise: The Sound of… Nothing?

White noise is a steady, unstructured sound that masks other noises. Think: fans, rain, or ocean waves. Research has shown that white noise can significantly reduce the time it takes for infants to fall asleep.

In a 1990 study published in the Archives of Disease in Childhood, 80% of newborns exposed to white noise fell asleep within five minutes, compared to only 25% of those who weren’t. It works because it mimics the constant background sound of the womb, and it masks sudden noises that might jolt a baby awake.

But white noise isn’t perfect. Some experts caution against continuous exposure at high volumes. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends keeping it below 50 decibels and placing the source at least 7 feet away from the crib.

Shushing: The Ancient Art of Parental Desperation

Shushing is more than just a sound. It’s rhythm, breath, and your presence all rolled into one. Pediatrician Dr. Harvey Karp, who popularised the “5 S’s” method for soothing babies, describes shushing as a way to replicate the intrauterine whooshing sound of blood flow.

It’s not just noise, it’s human noise. It tends to work well when paired with other calming behaviours like swaddling or rocking. The main downside? You have to do it yourself. Over. And over. And over.

Unless, of course, you find a gadget that does it for you. But more on that later.

Lullabies: Music Meets Memory

Lullabies occupy a unique space in the baby sleep landscape. They’re more melodic and emotional than white noise or shushing, and they often carry cultural or familial significance.

A 2013 study published in Pediatrics found that premature babies who listened to lullabies gained weight faster, had more stable heart rates, and improved feeding behaviours. There’s also evidence that lullabies help reduce cortisol levels (that’s the stress hormone), promoting relaxation in both babies and parents.

The catch? Not all lullabies are created equal. Some are too stimulating. Some sound like they were composed by a toy with a keyboard problem. Ideally, a lullaby should be slow, soothing, and instrumental.

So… Which Sound Is Best?

Here’s the thing: different babies respond to different things. What works one week might stop working the next. A newborn might love the rhythmic whoosh of white noise. A six-month-old might be soothed by a gentle lullaby during wind-down. A teething baby might need all three layered together.

That’s why layering sounds has become a growing trend among modern sleep-deprived parents. Combining shushing, white noise, and lullabies allows you to adjust according to your baby’s needs, sleep stage, or mood.

The Bottom Line

If you're looking for a magic formula, you're out of luck. But if you're willing to experiment, a mix of these sounds, used safely and thoughtfully, can make a big difference.

For some families, white noise alone does the trick. For others, layering lullabies with soft shushing mimics the comforting chaos of the womb. And if you’re craving an elegant way to do all three without turning your phone into a sleep machine, there are new tools designed with exactly that in mind.

(Spoiler: we make a pretty great one. But we’ll let you discover that naturally.)