The Loon journal

Sound and rest · 6 min read

White noise for babies: how it helps and how to use it

A steady background sound, a simple routine, and more ways to make it yours. A practical guide to getting started with white noise for your baby.

Loon team ·

In this guide

A door closing, voices in the hallway, traffic outside. When you’re helping your baby settle, everyday sounds can suddenly seem much more noticeable. White noise provides a steady background that can make some of those changes less noticeable.2

White noise may help your baby fall asleep. Research with newborns has observed this effect.1 You can make it part of something you already do together: getting ready for a nap, holding your baby after a feeding, or winding down at bedtime.

What is white noise, and how can it help at bedtime?

White noise combines a broad range of frequencies into a steady, shushing sound. Unlike a song, it has no lyrics or melody; its sound stays consistent.5

That background can make a sudden sound stand out less. This is called sound masking: voices drifting in from another room, for example, may be less noticeable against a steady background than in a quiet room.2

For your routine, there’s a simple advantage: it’s easy to set up and use again. Pick a sound, set the volume, and let it play in the background while you care for your baby.

White noise, brown noise, or rain: where to start

When you’re looking for baby sleep sounds, you’ll also come across brown noise and nature sounds. Start with a sound you enjoy listening to:

White noise

A continuous “shhh.” A useful starting point if you’re looking for a steady background sound.

Brown noise

A deeper sound with more emphasis on lower frequencies.5 Try it if you prefer a lower, fuller tone.

Rain

The natural sound of falling water. An option if you like bringing a little of the outdoors inside.

Listen to the options yourself at a low volume, then choose one for that moment. That gives you a chance to notice your baby’s response without constantly switching tracks. Noise colors describe how a sound is made up; when choosing, focus on how it sounds and how your baby responds.

How to use white noise with your baby

  1. Choose a familiar moment

    Try it as you get ready for a nap or bedtime, after taking care of what your baby needs: a feeding, a fresh diaper, or some closeness. If you usually hold your baby before putting them down, the sound can play during that time.

  2. Set up your device

    Put your phone or speaker on a stable surface outside the crib, as far from your baby’s head as possible. Keep cords out of reach, too.2,3

  3. Keep the volume low

    Aim for a quiet background. If the TV or music is loud, turn it down first instead of competing with it.2,3 Your phone’s volume percentage isn’t a universal sound level: different devices can sound different at the same setting. Respond if your baby cries, and stop the sound if it seems to bother them.

  4. Set a timer

    Use the sound for a short period as your baby settles to sleep.2,3 A timer lets you decide when the audio ends, so you can focus on your baby without going back to the screen to turn it off.

When you put your baby down: place them on their back on a firm, flat, level sleep surface, with no pillows, toys, or loose bedding.4

An easy routine to share with other caregivers

Start by adding one sound to something familiar, like naptime at home. Keep the rest of your routine and watch your baby’s cues: are they settling, still looking for a feeding or closeness, or letting you know they need something to change?

If you share caregiving, agree on three details: which sound to use, where to put the device, and how to set the timer. Each person can care for your baby in their own way, with that part already figured out.

Make it yours with Loon

Start with a sound. Find more ways to make it your own.

With Loon, you can start with free white noise, brown noise, and rain, listen offline, and use the audio timer to choose when playback ends.

Premium gives you more choice for different moments. From a lullaby at bedtime to a soundscape for your own downtime, here are a few ways to use it:

More nature, more music

Choose forest or ocean sounds, play a lullaby at bedtime, or explore soft piano, singing bowl, and handpan. Try different sounds and keep coming back to the ones you enjoy.

Loon’s signature sound

Flow Soul Pro™

A sound environment generated on your phone that evolves as you listen and can be adjusted to your taste. This Premium option is for anyone who enjoys a sound that changes over time.

For your baby, for you, or for both of you

The free listener selector lets you choose who the session is for. Premium adds soundscapes for calming down, sleeping, and relaxing: more options for time with your baby, a quiet moment together, or winding down on your own.

Choose your light, too

The red night light is free. Premium adds amber, warm white, and a light timer, so you can choose your lighting and when it turns off.

Find your sound with Loon

Start with the free sounds and explore Premium when you’d like more options. New subscribers may be eligible for a 7-day trial, depending on the offer available to their Google Play account.

Explore Loon on Google Play Available for Android

Sources and further reading

References for the sound explanations and recommendations in this guide.

  1. Spencer JA et al. · White noise and sleep induction Archives of Disease in Childhood · 1990
  2. American Academy of Pediatrics · How Noise Affects Children Sophie J. Balk · HealthyChildren.org · 2023
  3. American Thoracic Society · Sleep in Infants Patient Education Series · 2018
  4. NICHD · Safe to Sleep® Safe sleep recommendations and environment
  5. MathWorks · Colored Noise Technical reference