What to Look for in a White Noise Machine
Google ābest white noise machineā and get ready for a seemingly infinite scroll! There are so many options out there, itās hard to know where to begināor what you really needāin a white noise machine.Ā Here's how to figure out which white noise machine features your baby, toddler, or big kid truly needs to help ensure restful nightās sleep.Ā
White Noise Machine Must: Real White Noise
Surprise: MostĀ white noiseĀ machines donāt actually offer the low rumbly white noise babies need for sleep! Instead, many baby sound machines are jam-packed with so-called āsleep soundsā like crashing waves, chirping birds, and the din of a heartbeat that not only arenāt white noise, they donāt work for sleep. White noise needs to be continuous, monotonous, and low-pitch in order to turn on your babyās naturalĀ calming reflex, which is their inborn āoff switchā for fussing and āon switchā for sleep. And the best white noise machine for babies mimics the loud rumbly sounds they heard for nine months in the womb. That just-right white noise can be found in Dr. Harvey Karp-designedĀ SNOObear,Ā the responsive on-the-go white noise lovey, andĀ SNOObie, Dr. Karpās adorable stand-alone white noise machine thatās also a nightlight, sleep-trainer, mediation helper, and more. Both featureĀ award-winning SNOOĀ sounds, plus bonus relaxing tracks.
White Noise Machine Must: Portability
Much like the half-bath next to the kitchen, portability isnāt exactly a white noise machine āmustāā¦but it certainly is a āgreat to have!ā If you think you might like to use your babyās white noise machine for around-the-house feeds, car rides, or for quick trips, look for a lightweight white noise machine thatās rechargeable and portable. SNOObie, for example, is easy to remove for its base and holds a charge all night long. Another option: SNOObear, which is super for cuddly on-the-go white noise, plus its speaker box is removable and easy to stash in yourĀ diaper bag, so sleep-help can always be at hand!
White Noise Machine Must: Volume Control
The volume on your white noise machine should be loud enough to mask outside noisesālike a potentially sleep-disturbing passing truckābut not so loud that your baby, toddler, or big kidās hearing may be jeopardised. That means, even if you crank your white noise machine to top volume, your precious bubās ears would still be safe. If youāre shopping for a portable white noise machine, itās a wise move to look for one that automatically lowers the volume once itās taken off the charging dock, like SNOObie. This further ensures the white noise machine is never too loud for little ears. (Dr. Karp Answers: Is white noise bad for babiesā hearing?)
White Noise Machine Must: Sound Variety
White noise for sound sleep is slightly different from white noise that helps to calm fussing. The ideal white noise machine for babies features both types of white noise. Calm babies who are ready for naptime or night-night respond well to gentle but rumbly white noise that copy-cats womb soundsā¦but a fussing, upset baby requires a more vigorous, rough, and slightly harsh white noise to flip on their calming reflex. SNOObie, for instance, features both must-have white noise sounds: āRain on the Roofā is perfect for sleep and āFast and Vigorousā helps calm fussing. Beyond having the right white noise, itās important to have other sound options for calm play or wind down time. For example, SNOObear features fast and vigorous white noise, rain, hair dryer, rumbly train sounds, and two shushing sounds. Meanwhile, SNOObie plays all of those, plus four lullabies and two meditation tracks, which ensures SNOObie will grow right along with your family. (Learn how lullabies calm little ones.)
White Noise Machine Must: Nightlight Option
Every parent loves a two-in-one baby or toddler gadget to save money and cut down on clutter, so seeking a white noise machine that can double as a nightlight is a smart move. Nightlights allow you to stealthy check on your little one without turning on any sleep-disrupting bright lights. Plus, many toddlers and big kids feel safer if they can see familiar surroundings when they wake at 2amā¦not just a gulf of scary darkness! (SNOObie features eight nightlight colour choices and dims or brightens with a touch.)
White Noise Machine Must: Easy to Use
Parents have enough on their plates duringĀ Babyās bedtime routine. Figuring out a complicated white noise machine should not be one of them!Ā Shop for a white noise machine thatās intuitive and easy to use. With SNOObie, for instance, you can easily adjust volume with the left knob and select your audio track with the right knob. Easy peasy! Want to engage the light option? Simply double tap the top of SNOObieās cloud. (This turns off the light as well.) Touch and hold to dim or brighten light. And change colour with SNOObieās sliding ātongue.ā
White Noise Machine Must:Ā Grow-With-Me Features
A nightlight-white noise machine combo is greatā¦but itās even better if the noise and light can work together. For instance, some of the best white noise machines for babies and children allow you to use light and sound to create bedtime routines, when-to-wake schedules, and more. With SNOObieāand the free Happiest Baby appāyou can schedule, say, a 30-minute, wind-down routine with your kiddoās favorite lullaby and coloured light. Or maybe youād like to set SNOObie to glow green at 7am when itās time to rise and shine. SNOObie also features guided breathing exercises. Sound and gently pulsing light helps your child (and you!) master calming, mindful breathingā¦a key to life-long emotional balance.Ā
White Noise Machine Must:Ā Aesthetically PleasingĀ
A lot of white noise machines look like intercoms from yesteryear or glowing space domesā¦.which is totally fine if thatās the look youāre going for! But the truth is, an effective white noise machine is only effective if you use it. And if your white noise machine is an eyesore, you may not use it like you should. If you think this might be you, select a white noise machine that works with your styleāor better yetāselect one that speaks directly to your child with a playful design theyāll love looking at. SNOObie, for instance, has a sweet-as-can-be face and glowing cloud perfect for kidsā rooms. And SNOObear is a cuddly teddy, a puppet, and on-the-go white noise machine that littles love to snuggle.
Dr. Harvey Karp explainsĀ how and why white noise is an integral part of theĀ 5 SāsĀ for soothing babies.
Happiest Baby White Noise Buyersā Guide
SNOObie:Ā Dr. Harvey Karpās SNOObie nightlight/white noise machine is designed to grow right along with your sound sleeper! SNOObie plays the very same slumber-aiding white noise that babies love about SNOO, plus calming lullabies, gentle shush-ing, and two guided mindful breathing tracks. App-enabled SNOObie also allows parents to preset sleepytime and when-to-wake routines with both light and sound.
SNOObear:Ā Itās an on-the-go white noise machine, a lovey, and a puppetāperfect for babies and toddlers! SNOObear offers Baby the same signature white noise sounds as SNOO, plus itās responsive. So, after the sound shuts off, SNOObear continues to monitor your baby for three more hours and automatically turns back on if your little one fusses.Ā
SNOO Smart Sleeper:Ā The award-winning SNOO bassinet uses white noise, gentle rocking, and a safe swaddle toĀ aid Babyās sleep for all naps and nights. Its quick response time often calms upset babies in under a minute!
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