White noise for babies: which sound to pick and how to use it
General information, not medical advice.
The womb is not silent. A baby hears blood flow, a heartbeat and muffled voices around the clock, so a quiet room can feel strange. Many parents find that a steady, unchanging sound helps their baby settle and masks sudden household noises. The scientific evidence on white noise is limited, so treat it as a comfort tool you try, not a guarantee.
The sounds, in plain language
| Sound | What it is | Feels like |
|---|---|---|
| White noise | Equal energy at every frequency | Bright, hissy, like a radio between stations |
| Pink noise | Gentler highs; falls 3 dB per octave | Balanced, like steady rain |
| Brown noise | Mostly lows; falls 6 dB per octave | Deep rumble, like a strong waterfall or distant thunder |
| Fan / hair dryer / vacuum | Real appliance sound: broadband air noise with a low hum | The classic “shhh” parents reach for first |
| Womb & heartbeat | Muffled low-frequency rumble with a slow pulse | Close and cosy; popular with newborns |
| Rain, ocean, stream | Natural noise with gentle variation | Calming for older babies, children and adults |
How to use it
- Start quiet and far. See our safe-volume guide: about the loudness of a quiet conversation, speaker at least 2 m (7 ft) from the crib.
- Pick one sound and keep it. A consistent sound becomes a sleep cue. Switch only if your baby clearly doesn't like it.
- Use a timer. Fade out after 30–60 minutes rather than all night; Dozefan's “restart if baby stirs” puts the sound back with one tap.
- Keep it steady. Dozefan generates sound live, so there is no loop point, click or jingle to wake a light sleeper.
Frequently asked
Is white noise better than a fan or hair dryer sound?
They are all steady, broadband sounds. A real fan or hair dryer is just a particular colour of that noise. Try a few; babies often have a favourite.
Should I run a real hair dryer or vacuum cleaner?
No — don't leave heat-producing or electrical appliances running unattended. Use the sound alone; see hair dryer sound for baby.
What about older children and adults?
The same sounds work for any age, and you can mix up to three layers (rain + thunder + wind, for example) with Dozefan Pro.