28/08/2026
White noise works by masking sudden, disruptive sounds. But whether it reliably improves sleep in healthy, term infants at home? The jury is genuinely still out. If it seems to help your baby, use it. If it doesn’t make a difference, don’t.
What the research IS clear on ➡️ how you use it matters. The AAP recommends keeping volume below 50 decibels and placing the machine at least 2 metres from your baby’s head.
📚 References
1. Spencer JA, Moran DJ, Lee A & Talbert D (1990). White noise and sleep induction. Archives of Disease in Childhood, 65(1), 135–137.
2. Riedy SM, Smith MG, Rocha S & Basner M (2021). Noise as a sleep aid: a systematic review. Sleep Medicine Reviews, 55, 101385.
3. Hugh SC, Wolter NE, Propst EJ, Gordon KA, Cushing SL & Papsin BC (2014). Infant sleep machines and hazardous sound pressure levels. JAMA Pediatrics, 168(5), 404–408.
4. American Academy of Pediatrics, Council on Environmental Health and Climate Change (2023). Preventing excessive noise exposure in infants, children, and adolescents. Pediatrics, 152(5), e2023063752.
5. De Jong K et al. (2024). Continuous white noise exposure during sleep and childhood development: a scoping review. Sleep Medicine, 115, 107–115.
6. PMC review (2025). Applications of white noise in maternal and neonatal care: a comprehensive review on sleep, stress, and pain outcomes. PMC12818530.
Dr Fallon Cook | PhD | 2 x Postdoctoral Fellowships in Infant Sleep
Sombelle — personalised sleep support for babies & toddlers 0–3 years
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