The Benefits of White Noise in Sleep Training
Sleep training your little one can be a daunting process for new parents. With the guidance of a pediatric nurse or a trained sleep consultant, white noise can be an extremely helpful tool to help little ones fall asleep more easily. White noise is a soft kind of sound that can mask unpredictable noises, like a dog barking in the yard or a neighbor mowing the lawn, to help your baby relax in a consistent environment during sleep training.
Though it’s a relatively low-tech approach to improving your baby’s sleep, there are plenty of benefits that white noise can bring for you and your little one in the sleep training process. Some parents may find it helpful to rely on the techniques that have been proven to work consistently.
White noise is something that can be used in any age group, from brand-new infants to active toddlers. It helps out during naps and at nighttime, and its effects are noticeable in a positive way when it’s used correctly.
Reduces Environmental Disturbances
White noise can be incredibly effective in minimizing environmental disturbances that can interfere with a baby or toddler’s sleep. Noise from outside the home, from a neighbor or the street, can represent a major disturbance for your little one, preventing them from falling asleep or waking them up during certain times. As a parent, you don’t want to be continually running out to purchase a new device or to shut and start your generator.
White noise is a great way to mask these environmental disturbances from your baby’s sleep environment. When used at the appropriate volume level, white noise can provide a consistent level of sound that blocks out other unnatural or unexpected noise and helps the sleep environment remain consistent.
Promotes Comfort and Relaxation
In addition to reducing environmental disturbances, white noise has also been known to help promote a feeling of comfort and relaxation in many children, especially newborns. Being in a new environment can be overwhelming for newborns, but white noise helps your little one work through the newness of the environment and create a peaceful environment for sleep.
White noise can also be great for calming active toddlers while sleep training. Its soothing tones and surrounding sound provide comfort and security, which is essential in helping your toddler form healthy sleep habits.
Many parents have also found that white noise can be soothing if their child is especially clingy or is having trouble settling down. The soothing and consistent nature of white noise can help create a calming environment for your little one to relax in before bed or before naps.
Easy to Use and Access
White noise is simple and easy to use and access. You don’t need complicated equipment or gadgets to get started. You can find a variety of options for white noise machines right from your smartphone or online. Many parents prefer the convenience of being able to use a white noise machine at home, or even just downloading an app on their phone or tablet to create the noise.
If you’d prefer not to use a machine, you can also use a fan or air filter that can double as a white noise machine. Plus, there’s always the classic standby of lullabies to put your baby easily to sleep.
Essential Items for Using White Noise
- White noise machine, fan, air filter, or pallabies
- A comfortable sleeping environment
- Timers to turn off the noise at the appropriate time
- Trusted guidance to help plan a consistent sleep schedule
Conclusion
White noise can prove to be an invaluable tool in sleep training. Along with creating a comfortable sleeping environment and working with a trusted professional, white noise can be an amazing assist in helping you and your little one get more rest. With the right balance of tools, you’ll be getting a good night’s rest in no time.