White Noise
- Low20–250 Hz
- 3%
- Mid250 Hz–2 kHz
- 18%
- High2–10 kHz
- 79%
- Level variationP90–P10
- 1.7 dB
ST-90 · SIDE B · NURSERY CALIBRATED
White Noise for Babies.
For a newborn, silence is the strange part — the womb was a constant whoosh, louder than you'd guess. A steady, gentle noise recreates that familiar backdrop and masks the door clicks and dishes that startle a light baby sleeper. Preview the three nursery classics below, then read the safe-use guide.
01 — LISTEN
Three nursery classics.
Yes. The 126 sounds marked with a play button loop continuously in this browser player — free, with no sign-in or time limit. The NoiseTape app includes all 126 sounds, offline playback and a fade-out sleep timer.
These curves are calculated from the actual loops on this page. Compare their tonal balance and how much the level changes over time.
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02 — SAFE USE
Using white noise with a baby, carefully.
White noise helps babies for two reasons. First, masking: a steady broadband sound covers the sudden noises — doors, traffic, older siblings — that trigger a newborn's startle reflex mid-nap. Second, familiarity: the womb was genuinely loud, a constant low whoosh, and a soft steady noise recreates the soundscape a newborn actually finds normal. Pediatric researchers noticed this decades ago: in one classic study, newborns exposed to steady noise fell asleep markedly faster than those left in silence.
| Guideline | Conservative reference | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Volume | ≤ 50 dB — about a quiet shower | A 2014 study in Pediatrics found many infant sound machines can exceed safe levels at full volume |
| Distance | ≥ 2 m (7 ft) from the crib | Sound pressure falls quickly with distance — placement matters as much as the volume slider |
| Duration | Use a sleep timer, not all night | Steady sound is a falling-asleep cue; it doesn't need to run until morning |
That's the shape of careful use: quieter than you think, farther than you think, shorter than you think. The numbers are conservative references, not a certified formula — actual sound pressure varies with the device, the volume setting and the room, so when unsure, err quieter and farther. NoiseTape is built for exactly this pattern — set the 5–120 minute sleep timer and the sound fades out gently once your baby is asleep, and everything plays offline, so a phone in airplane mode works as a bedside machine. One thing to keep in mind: this is general guidance, not medical advice — if you have any concerns about your baby's sleep or hearing, ask your pediatrician.
03 — FAQ
White noise & babies, answered.
01
Is white noise safe for babies?
White noise itself isn't the concern — volume, distance and duration are, and real-world sound levels vary a lot between devices, settings and rooms. A cautious approach: keep the level low (about 50 dB at the crib is a common conservative reference; a 2014 study in Pediatrics found some machines could exceed 85 dB at full volume right next to the crib), place the player as far from the crib as practical, and use a timer rather than all-night play. That mirrors current pediatric advice: as quiet, as far, and as short as works for your baby. If in doubt, ask your pediatrician.
02
How loud should white noise be for a baby?
Around 50 dB measured at the crib — comparable to a quiet shower or soft rainfall. A practical check without a meter: you should be able to talk over it at a normal volume. If you have to raise your voice, it's too loud.
03
Should white noise play all night?
Most sleep guidance treats steady sound as a falling-asleep cue, not an all-night requirement. A timer that fades out after 30–60 minutes gives the settling benefit while keeping total exposure low. NoiseTape's sleep timer fades the volume out gradually over the last minute, so the stop itself never wakes the baby.
04
Which sounds work best for babies?
Start with plain White Noise — the closest match to the classic nursery shusher. Fan adds a softer, warmer rhythm many parents prefer, and Pink Noise shifts energy toward lower frequencies for a gentler wash. All three loop seamlessly and play fully offline.
See also: white noise for sleep & focus · fan noise for sleeping · pink noise for deeper sleep · rain sounds for sleeping · GUIDES · the full 126-sound library