WHITE NOISE: THE PROS AND CONS OF USING IT

For a parent with a newborn at home, sleep can seem like a dream . Even if you're past the phase of waking up every few hours for feedings, getting your baby to bed can still be a struggle.

To help your baby sleep better at night , pediatricians often recommend relaxing activities, such as warm baths. When all else fails, parents can turn to alternative measures such as white noise and night lights .

Babies tend to love white noise. They're used to it. Before making his big debut, your baby spent his days and nights surrounded by the reassuring hum of human life . Your beating heart, the sound of blood rushing around your body, and the rhythm of each breath created a comforting cacophony, much like the rumbling of a vacuum.

For comparison, maternal sounds "dropping" in utero range from 70 to 91 decibels?, while a vacuum cleaner is typically 70 to 80 decibels. In other words, the uterus is not a quiet place!

Once your little one is born, he suddenly finds himself in a disconcerting world of hushed tones and measured footsteps. Although designed for his comfort, this carefully guarded silence can leave him feeling detached, anxious and isolated . No wonder your sweet baby has trouble sleeping.

White noise can help your baby sleep through the night , but it can have long-term consequences. That's why it's important to weigh the pros and cons before using white noise as a sleep aid for your baby.

1) What is White Noise?

The sound of the sea or soothing acoustic music are usually the sounds that adults use to relax, but when it comes to babies, it is actually white noise sounds that are most effective in creating a calming environment, as they resemble the sounds they heard in the womb.

White light ☀ is made by mixing all the different colors of light. (The rainbow is made by recomposing white light into all the individual hues.) Similarly, white noise is a mixture of all the different pitches of sounds and a sound that covers a wide range of frequencies. It has a fuzzy quality, with no specific pitch.

So white noise refers to sounds that mask other sounds that might occur naturally in an environment. If you live in a city, for example, white noise can help block out traffic-related noise .

White noise sounds like the "static" sounds of a television or radio, but constant background noises such as a washing machine, vacuum cleaner, fan or running water also help you fall asleep in the same way. 

There are even machines specially designed for young children. Some are equipped with instrumental lullabies or even a heartbeat sound that is used to imitate that of the mother.

A groundbreaking 1990 study published in the Archives of Disease in Childhood showed that white noise could be helpful. Forty newborns were studied, and it was found that 80 percent of them were able to fall asleep after listening to white noise for five minutes.

Here are some examples of white noise:

• White noise for baby fan
• The sound of a fan
• The sound of water? flowing
• A radio station that is just static
• The chatter of several voices at the same time
• The noise of a busy street
• Discover 7 other white noises

Adults notice white noise when they enter a new environment. Very quickly, the brain ? decides not to analyze the incoming noise. The brain decides to no longer pay attention to the noise.

2) How Does White Noise Help Your Baby Sleep?

Whether your baby is an easy sleeper or a more difficult sleeper, white noise can help in several ways.

First, the soft, steady sound can soothe your baby to sleep. You're probably used to whispering "shhh shhh shhh" to calm your baby, an instinctive sound that mimics a mother's heartbeat, and it works.

When your baby hears this type of sound, they can focus on it, which helps them relax and – hopefully – sleep. Contrary to what you might think, the outside world can actually be quite quiet for babies, especially at night ?.

After spending months in the safe, closed environment of the womb, they can become stressed and overtired by the unfamiliar sounds, sights and smells, often causing them to cry and colick.

When your little one was in your womb at 15 weeks gestation , your baby was starting to hear ?. The sounds he heard were muffled by the amniotic fluid, but you can use noises that mimic the sound of the womb to soothe and comfort your baby at nap time, aka white noise.

White noise is a familiar sound that keeps them calm and helps them fall asleep. Dr. Karp explains in a Huffington Post article that babies are used to the sound of blood flowing through the placenta — and it's even louder than a vacuum cleaner .

"This sound triggers the calming reflex and helps infants fall asleep. No wonder babies fall asleep when they hear a hair dryer, go for a ride in the car or go to a loud party?" he explains.

3) Types of White Noise for Babies’ Sleep:

• Shhh: Mimicking the continuous sound of blood flowing through the arteries near the uterus, shushing has long been a known method of calming a distressed baby, especially when combined with a gentle rocking motion.  

• Application de bruit blanc : Au lieu de passer l'aspirateur pendant des heures (et d'avoir à payer une facture d'électricité monstrueuse !), téléchargez une application ? de bruit blanc qui propose des centaines de bruits parmi lesquels vous pouvez choisir.

• Un ventilateur : Le bruit constant d'un ventilateur est aussi un bon pari pour le bruit de fond, qui favorise le sommeil de votre bébé.

Il y a des avantages ? mais aussi des inconvénients à utiliser le bruit blanc pour votre bébé - nous examinons ci-dessous certaines des bonnes et des mauvaises choses :

4) Les Avantages du Bruit Blanc pour Bébé

• Les bébés peuvent s'endormir plus rapidement avec un bruit blanc en arrière-plan.
• Le bruit blanc peut bloquer les bruits domestiques, comme ceux des frères et sœurs ? plus âgés.
• Certaines machines à bruit blanc pour bébés ont un réglage des battements de cœur imitant la mère, ce qui peut être réconfortant pour les nouveau-nés.

A- Le Bruit Blanc Réduit le Stress chez les Bébés

Pourquoi les bébés sont-ils stressés ? A peu près tout. Ils sont stressés lorsqu'ils sont trop fatigués, ils sont stressés parce que leur monde est plus stimulant ? qu'ils ne sont prêts à le supporter, ils sont submergés de lumières, de visages et d'excitation. Le bruit blanc crée un espace sûr pour eux en bloquant cette stimulation.

B- Les Bruits Blancs Aident les Bébés à Dormir

Ils s'endorment plus facilement et restent endormis plus longtemps. Les bébés ont ce qu'on appelle des "éveils du sommeil", généralement toutes les 20 à 45 minutes environ. Vous êtes-vous déjà demandé pourquoi votre bébé ne fait que des siestes de 20 minutes à la fois ? Eh bien, c'est parce que lorsqu'il atteint l'éveil au bout de 20 minutes environ, il est incapable de retrouver un sommeil plus profond et sa sieste est donc terminée ❎. 

Le bruit blanc aide les bébés à naviguer doucement entre ces éveils pour obtenir des siestes plus longues ⏰ et plus réparatrices. Il aide également à bloquer les bruits de la vie (frères et sœurs plus âgés, sonnettes de porte, camions poubelles, etc.) qui peuvent gêner les siestes et génèrent des troubles du sommeil.

C- Le Bruit Blanc Aide les Bébés à Moins Pleurer

Saviez-vous que le shhh est un son que les gens comprennent et font universellement avec les bébés ? Le shhh est simplement un bruit blanc que vous faites vous-même ?. La clé de l'utilisation du bruit blanc pour aider à calmer un bébé qui pleure est qu'il doit être plus fort que les pleurs.

Il est inutile de tenir un bébé qui crie tout en chuchotant comme un gentil bibliothécaire ?. Votre bébé ne peut pas entendre le chut par-dessus ses propres pleurs. Il faut que vous fassiez taire le bébé bruyamment (cela semble un peu ridicule, je sais) pour que le bruit calmant puisse pénétrer au-dessus des pleurs.

Il se peut aussi que vous deviez continuer à faire shhh pendant un certain temps. Un shhh soutenu et fort peut être un défi. Si vous commencez à vous sentir étourdi et/ou à voir des étoiles, il est temps de confier votre shhh à un appareil électrique ? à bruit blanc.

D- Il Réduit le Risque de Maladies

Une étude relativement célèbre (célèbre si vous lisez beaucoup sur le sommeil des bébés, donc honnêtement vous devriez être un peu fier ? si vous n'en avez pas entendu parler) a montré que les bébés avaient une réduction significative du risque de SMSN (Syndrome de la Mort Subite du Nourrisson) s'ils avaient un ventilateur dans leur chambre bébé.

Personne ne sait pourquoi le ventilateur aide - cela pourrait être le fait qu’il déplace l'air ?, bien que beaucoup pensent que cela a un rapport avec le bruit blanc que fait le ventilateur. Nous savons que le bruit blanc réduit le sommeil actif (qui est l'état de sommeil dans lequel le SMSN est le plus susceptible de se produire).

E- Le Bruit Blanc vous Aidera à Mieux Dormir

Il est notoire que les parents se réveillent chaque fois que le bébé grogne ou gargouille. Les balançoires pour nouveau-nés peuvent également être très bruyantes, surtout lorsqu'elles sont placées à quelques centimètres de votre lit ?. Les bruits blancs aideront à masquer ces petits bruits pour que vous et votre partenaire puissiez mieux dormir.

F- Le Bruit Blanc est Facile à Sevrer

Lorsque votre bébé est plus âgé (généralement après son premier anniversaire ?), vous pouvez commencer à diminuer progressivement le volume du bruit blanc. S'il continue à dormir seul, vous avez terminé.

5) Les Inconvénients du Bruit Blanc pour les Bébés

• Les machines à bruit blanc peuvent dépasser les limites de bruit ? recommandées pour les bébés.
• Les bébés peuvent devenir dépendants des machines à bruit blanc pour pouvoir s'endormir.
• Tous les bébés n'aiment pas ou ne réagissent pas bien au bruit blanc.

A- Les Problèmes des Machines à Bruit Blanc

Malgré les avantages potentiels, le bruit blanc n'offre pas toujours une tranquillité sans risque ❌.

En 2014, l'Académie américaine de pédiatrie (AAP) a testé 14 machines à bruit blanc conçues pour les nourrissons. Ils ont constaté que tous dépassaient les limites de bruit ? recommandées, qui sont fixées à 50 décibels.

In addition to increased hearing problems , the study found that using white noise increased the risk of problems with language development ?️ and speech.

Based on the AAP's findings, pediatricians recommend that any white noise machine be placed at least 6 feet away from your baby's crib. You should also keep the machine's volume below the maximum volume setting.

B- Babies Can Become Addicted to White Noise

Babies who respond positively to white noise may sleep better at night and during naps, but only if the white noise ⚪ is constantly available . This could be a problem if your baby is in a situation where they need to sleep and the sound machine is not with them.

Examples include vacations, a night at grandma's, or even daycare. Such a scenario could become extremely disruptive for everyone involved.

C- Some Babies Don't Like White Noise

It is important to realize that white noise does not work for all babies .

Every baby has different sleep needs, so white noise might be a trial and error process. If you decide to try white noise, make sure you do it safely .

6) How Much Sleep Does Your Baby Need?

To address the effects of sleep deprivation, it's also important to know exactly how much sleep your baby actually needs . Here are some guidelines for each age group:

• Newborns: Up to 18 hours a day total, while waking every few hours for feedings.
• 1 to 2 months: Babies can sleep 4 to 5 hours at a time.
• 3 to 6 months: Total number of hours of sleep during the night can vary from 8 to 9 hours, plus short naps during the day?.
• 6 to 12 months: 14 hours of sleep in total, with 2 to 3 naps during the day.

Remember, these are recommended averages. Every baby is different . Some babies can sleep more, while others don't need as much sleep.

7) The Importance of Sleep for Babies

When adults think of sleep deprivation, they often picture grumpy, rundown days filled with copious cups of coffee ☕ to get through. The effects of sleep deprivation may not be as obvious in babies and children.

Here are some of the concerns associated with sleep deprivation in little ones :

• l'agitation
• frequent inconvenience?
• extreme behavioral fluctuations
• hyperactivity ⚡

8) How to Use White Noise for Your Baby’s Sleep?

A- Choose a Noise You Can Tolerate

There are so many different white noise options to try, from rain and nature sounds to static or the sound of hair dryers?, so experiment and see what works.

Do some research on YouTube to find the types of noises that you find relaxing, and try them on your baby. Play around with the sounds a little. Every baby responds differently to different sounds. Quieter, rhythmic sounds ? may be better.

Once you've figured out what works, invest in a sleep app or toy with that type of sound. You also want to make sure it's a sound you're happy to listen to and that you'll listen to for hours on end!

B- Choose the White Noise Adapted to your Baby

Not all babies will need to listen to white noise, but for those who do, safety ? must come first !

“Anytime you bring something into your baby’s environment, you want to make sure it’s safe, ” says pediatric emergency medicine physician Elizabeth Murray, MD. “We don’t necessarily think of white noise as loud, but some of these machines can be very loud.”

Recent studies have suggested that many baby white noise machines are, in fact, too loud for babies. The loudest setting on many machines can exceed the 50 dB limit required in hospital nurseries. Some machines can be even louder, generating over 85 dB at typical crib distances.

So use common sense to make sure it's not too loud for your baby's delicate ears. Try adjusting the volume to see if the white noise is working well. But don't turn it up louder than a shower in the next room and place the device away from your baby (at least 2 metres away).

C- Start with the Lowest Sound

Parents don't necessarily need to avoid more powerful machines, but they should be aware of their noise level and always start with the lowest setting?. 

If the baby can't hear the machine while he's crying, that defeats the purpose, but in the long run, a few nights of interrupted sleep while the effective minimum volume is established is a reasonable price to pay for future rest (and a hearing-free toddler).

It’s also important to keep some perspective. The fact is, no one really sleeps through the night . As many fitness and sleep tracking apps have shown, even adults have periods of mild wakefulness. The key to sleep training is developing a healthy sleep routine that helps kids drift off to sleep.

For the right kind of child, well-made white noise is part of it, but if a child doesn't need it, they simply don't need it . It's worth letting a baby calm down as much as possible in order to find the path to restful sleep.

D- Do not put objects in your baby's crib

There are other safety concerns. White noise machines that are mounted on a track and hidden in a stuffed animal may be cute, but there is a temptation to place them too close to the mattress , making them unsafe. 

In general, babies should have nothing in their crib for the first year except a flat mattress and fitted sheet; foreign bedding and stuffed animals can be very dangerous for a child who is too young. Find out at what age your baby can sleep with his or her comforter .

E- Only play White Noise when your baby is ready to fall asleep

It may be tempting to turn on white noise in the hopes that it will put your baby to sleep, but this won't work and will only reduce its effectiveness.

As soon as he shows signs of relaxation and fatigue, turn on the white noise . As soon as he wakes up, turn off the white noise so that it does not mask the normal sounds of daily life ?, which will teach him the things he needs to learn while remaining alert.

F- Think in Pink

Studies have shown that "pink noise," which is fuller, deeper, or richer than white noise, improves your baby's sleep even more because of its lower quality.

Examples of pink noise include heartbeats, rain? and the rustling of leaves on a tree. Pink noise is generally gentler on the ear and creates a more relaxed and peaceful atmosphere than white noise, which is all higher pitched and slightly harsher.

Like all of us, babies are individuals, so take the time to find the best match for your cute baby.

G- Use it as a Sleep Signal Away from Home

Your baby will soon start to associate white noise with sleep , so choose a portable sound (like an app) that you can use when you're away from home and your little one is in a travel cot?.

This will help him settle in when he's in an unfamiliar place - and will also help you sleep better .

H- Keep the Same Noise

Once you find a winner , stick with it!

Use this noise exclusively and it will become part of the background as a familiar sound ?‍?‍?‍? and your baby will accept its quiet, almost hypnotic rhythm. But things can change, so keep an eye on your baby in case he reacts to something else in a few months.

9) Does White Noise Damage a Baby's Hearing?

The researchers warned that if one were to play at this intensity for 8 hours straight, this amount of noise (85 dB) would exceed safety standards and could reach a level that could damage hearing . They advised: 

1. to move the machines as far as possible
2. to play them at 50 dB 
3. to stop the sound after the baby falls asleep

10) How Loud Should White Noise Be?

As you can see in the figure below (in English), 50 dB white noise offers absolutely no benefit ? for your baby's sleep. The sound only starts to stimulate sleep when it reaches 60 to 65 dB.

11) Should White Noise Volume Be Adjusted? 

Needless to say, you shouldn't play the sound at maximum volume... all night long... right next to your baby's head. However, a loud sound for minutes (not hours) is very helpful in calming crying . And it's much less traumatic for your baby's ears than your baby's own crying?!

12) Are White Noises Safe for Babies?

The answer is... YES. White noise is beneficial for babies by promoting sleep. However, it is important to keep the noise at a safe level for babies and adults ?‍?. If white noise machines produce sound above safe decibel levels, they can be harmful.  

Bottom line: When your baby cries, turn up the volume for several minutes to reach the level of hi