Everything about White Noise
The use of White Noise is not harmful, in fact, when your baby was still in the womb, he heard a constant rustling sound of 90db. That’s louder than the sound of a vacuum cleaner! This sound was produced by the heart and the blood pumped through the mother’s body.
Now you may also understand why we naturally make a ‘shhh’ sound to calm our little one, or why our little ones fall asleep in the car. We naturally mimic the environment of the womb because we naturally know that it works!
Why does my baby sleep by hearing the sounds of a vacuum cleaner?
Parents regularly ask us why their little one falls asleep when they have the vacuum cleaner or extractor on. How is this possible? Your little one has been in a safe environment for 9 months where he heard a constant rustling sound. He therefore associated this rustling sound with this safe environment. By using white noise, your little one is reminded of this safe and secure environment, making it easier for him to relax.
In addition, most babies are very sensitive to ambient noise and can therefore suddenly wake up and become very upset. White noise is also helpful here. It helps block out ambient noise, making it easier for your little one to sleep through.
Pay attention; Only use white noise while sleeping. Switch off the device as soon as your little one is awake so that he can learn from all the sounds he hears around him.
Which kinds of White Noise are there?
As mentioned before, white noise is a constant rustling sound, which you may recognize from the sound the television makes when it has no signal. However, there are different types of white noise sounds. In addition to white noise, you also have the so-called pink noise sound. This rustling sound has a higher bass tone than the well-known white noise. It depends on each child what their preference is. Within our sleep consultations, Villa Bimbi only works with white noise, which has helped 95% of the little ones we have supported.
In addition, there are many different types of white noise devices available. Villa Bimbi advises Ewan the Dream Sheep. The red light and the constant rushing sound, which is a sound similar to what the mother’s heart and blood vessels produced when the baby was still in the womb, quickly soothe the little ones. This allows them to fall asleep relaxed. The only downside to Ewan the Dreamsheep is that it turns off after 20 minutes. Despite the fact that a cry sensor is attached to the sheep, the switch-off time at 20 minutes is a risky time. Why? A baby enters deep sleep for between 20 and 30 minutes before waking up easily. For that reason, we recommend using Ewan the Dream Sheep in combination with a separate white noise device.
How do you use White Noise?
From which age?
White noise can be used immediately as soon as your little one is born. Even if your child is a bit older, you can still start using white noise. Villa Bimbi recommends the use of white noise for both babies and toddlers, even if they have never used it before.
Where?
If you use Ewan the Dreamsheep you can attach it to the bed with the tail (made of Velcro). Make sure your little one can see the sheep’s red dimmed light. You place a separate white noise device somewhere in the room, but not in the bed.
When do I turn it on / off?
Switch on the white noise device as soon as you enter the bedroom and start the bed ritual. This way your little one learns that the sound is safe and it is easier to make the transfer to the bed. The sound will also become part of the bedtime ritual, making it recognizable for your little one and therefore easier to go to sleep. Turn off the white noise device as soon as it is time to wake up.
How loud should it be played?
It is important that the white noise device is played as loud as a vacuum cleaner to make it work as effectively as possible. Only then can your little one focus on himself and relax, allowing him to fall asleep without crying.
When do I use White Noise?
Use the white noise device during every time he has to go to sleep. So both during the day and at night. It is therefore important that the device remains on for the entire sleep cycle (s).
When can I stop using White Noise?
Villa Bimbi recommends the use of white noise up to and including the age of 4 years. Especially for toddlers who find it difficult to relax, white noise can be very helpful. They no longer have to continuously focus on their environment, but instead focus on themselves, which makes sleeping easier.
If you like to reduce the white noise, this is certainly possible. From 1 year on it is easy to turn the sound down a bit during the days, until the sound is completely turned off. If you notice that your little one is waking up due to ambient noise, it is best to wait a while before phasing out the white noise. It is also important that your little one is able to fall asleep independently. Otherwise, phasing out the white noise will have the opposite effect.
Does my child get used to the white noise?
If you see that white noise is effective for your little one, it is the case that he will need it during all the times he has to go to sleep. That is why it is also important that the white noise device comes along as soon as your little one goes to sleep elsewhere. You can also always use white noise videos on YOUTUBE.
Which White Noise devices advices Villa Bimbi: