White Noise
Pure, even masking
Baby Sleep Sounds
Updated 6 July 2026
The most popular baby sleep sounds are white noise and womb sounds, because they recreate the constant, muffled whoosh a baby hears before birth. This free player loops white noise, heartbeat and womb sounds to help settle your little one — with simple safety guidance below.
Why white noise and womb sounds help babies
Before birth, babies hear a constant, muffled whoosh of blood flow and a steady heartbeat, so these sounds are deeply familiar and reassuring. Recreating them can help a newborn feel secure and settle more easily, which is why white noise and womb sounds are a long-standing sleep aid.
How to use baby sleep sounds safely
The American Academy of Pediatrics advises keeping sound machines below about 50 decibels, placing them at least 2 metres (7 feet) from the baby, and not running them louder or longer than needed. Use the lowest volume that works and switch it off once your baby is settled.
What the research actually says
A 2014 study in Pediatrics (Hugh and colleagues) measured 14 infant sleep machines and found that, played at maximum volume close to a crib, all of them could exceed roughly 50 decibels — the level recommended for hospital nurseries. That finding is the basis of the practical advice above: keep the volume low, place the device about 2 metres (7 feet) from the crib, and switch it off or use a timer once your baby settles. It is also worth being clear about what the study did not show: it measured sound levels, not sleep outcomes, so it makes no promises that white noise helps babies sleep better. It simply tells parents how to use these sounds cautiously.
How to use white noise for a baby safely
- Choose white noise, heartbeat or womb sounds in the player.
- Set the volume low — well below a normal speaking voice.
- Place the device at least 2 metres (7 feet) from the crib.
- Use a sleep timer or turn it off once your baby is asleep.
Questions parents ask
Is white noise safe for babies?
Used carefully it is widely considered fine. Follow the American Academy of Pediatrics guidance: keep it below about 50 decibels, at least 2 metres from the crib, and no louder or longer than necessary.
What sound is best for a baby to sleep?
White noise and womb or heartbeat sounds are the most popular, because they mimic the womb. Babies differ, so try each at a low volume and keep whichever settles yours most reliably.