Better than white noise
Updated: Nov 14, 2022
The last thing you want when trying to get a good night’s sleep is to be kept awake by noises. It can be frustrating and exhausting, which is why it’s important to find solutions that work well for you and your baby. The best way to do this is by experimenting until you find something that works!
It's no secret that babies love white noise. But if you find yourself unable to fall asleep due to a noisy environment (or just want some added comfort), there are plenty of ways to bring peace and quiet into your home. Here are some of our favorite ways to block out noise and create a peaceful sleeping environment for you and your baby:
Buy yourself a white noise machine.
White noise machines are a great way to block out unwanted noises, whether you’re trying to sleep or work in an office setting. They’re also great for babies and pets since they help them sleep more soundly (and therefore longer).
White noise machines have been shown to be helpful in so many ways: from helping people sleep better at night, to improving concentration during the day, and even reducing stress levels by blocking out other distracting background noises. You can find white noise machines in all kinds of shapes and sizes — some look like little speakers while others are small boxes that plug into your computer or phone jack. There are also apps that allow you download music with white noise mixed into it!
For those who snore loudly (like me), these devices can be lifesavers too!
Download the best apps for white noise or soothing sounds.
Download the best white noise apps on your phone or tablet. You can find free, ad-free versions of apps like White Noise Lite and White Noise Free if you're not ready to pay for the full version yet. These have several sound options to choose from, including fan sounds, ocean waves crashing on the shore, rain falling in your ear (a very popular option), or even an excellent selection of songs like "Imagine" by John Lennon and Yoko Ono.
Some people prefer sounds that aren't strictly white noise; instead they prefer something more soothing—like a crackling fire or rushing waterfalls. If this is what you're looking for then check out our list of other calming sounds here!
Buy a sound machine that automatically adjusts the sounds.
Buy a sound machine that automatically adjusts to different sounds.
Adjusts volume, pitch and tone so it's always just right for your body.
Automatically adjusts to different sounds depending on the time of day (e.g., morning birds chirping).
Automatically adjusts to different sounds depending on the season (e.g., Christmas carolers singing in your neighborhood).
Use your smart speaker to play music and soothing sounds.
When you're feeling overwhelmed by noise and chaos, use your smart speaker to play music and soothing sounds. You can choose from a wide selection of soothing sounds, ranging from classical piano to nature sounds like rain. If you have children in the house, consider using an Alexa skill called "Lullabies & Good Night Songs" instead of turning on some potentially inappropriate music for them to listen to at bedtime.
Use these tips to help yourself relax whenever you need it!
Invest in an essential oil diffuser.
Essential oils are a natural way to help you sleep. Lavender and chamomile are two of the most popular scents for this purpose, but there are many more options to choose from. If you want your baby to sleep better, too, consider diffusing lavender or chamomile around them before bedtime—it may help them relax and fall asleep faster!
If you’re looking for something that will help you relax as well as help your baby sleep better, essential oils may be just what you need. You can use them on their own or combine them with white noise machines—this will create an environment that is relaxing and calm without being too loud like some other types of sound machines (like fans).
Essential oils can also be good ways to focus without needing any background noise at all—they might even make it easier for children who have trouble focusing since there won't be any distractions from outside noises like TV shows or radio stations playing loudly nearby during class time when using these kinds of products instead!
Fill your home with air-purifying plants.
There's a reason why houseplants are so popular. Not only do they brighten up your home, but also, they can help clean the air in your space. Air purifying plants are great for removing dangerous toxins from the air and creating a more relaxing atmosphere. Here's how to choose one:
Find a plant that has broad leaves—these will capture more pollutants than narrow ones.
Choose plants that grow well indoors or outdoors; if there is any doubt about whether it can survive indoors, stick with a smaller size or look for low-maintenance varieties
Look out for plants that absorb formaldehyde (a harmful chemical found in many building materials), benzene (a solvent used in industrial processes), carbon dioxide (which makes indoor spaces feel stuffy) and ammonia (a byproduct of urine). These are just some examples; there are others! Here's a list of 10 air-purifying plants from NASA to get you started on your search.* Make sure that wherever you place these beauties has enough sunlight as not all of them will thrive without it.* Water them regularly but don't overdo it—the soil should never be soggy.* Avoid placing anything directly above them because this may block their light source
You can block out environmental noises and create a peaceful sleeping environment for you and your baby.
White noise machines. These are the most common and affordable option for blocking out environmental noises in your home. Simply set it up on a nightstand or another area of your baby's room, and it will play soothing sounds all night long. Some models even allow you to control how loud you want the machine to be (for example, if you're tired but don't want the sound machine so loud that it keeps waking up your partner).
Download apps for white noise or soothing sounds: Apps like Simply Noise let you choose from several different types of sounds—like ocean waves, rainfall, wind chimes—to help calm down at bedtime. They also have alarms that can play specific soothing songs when they go off in the morning.
Buy a sound machine with automatic adjustment: The URPOWER Smart Music Therapy System includes seven different modes, including "white noise" and "fan." It's also equipped with an internal sensor that automatically adjusts its volume based on what levels are needed at any given moment during sleep time.* Use your smart speaker (like Alexa) to play calming music or nature sounds: If you have an Amazon Echo device (or Google Home), simply say "Alexa" followed by whatever command makes sense for what type of mood-setting effect you're looking for—turning on some soft jazz music before bedtime would be one example!
Conclusion
The last thing you want when trying to get a good night’s sleep is to be kept awake by noises. It can be frustrating and exhausting, which is why it’s important to find solutions that work well for you and your baby. The best way to do this is by experimenting until you find something that works!