White Noise for Babies

Gentle, steady sound to help your little one settle — and to mask the household noises that wake them.

Why white noise soothes infants

For a newborn, the world is loud and unpredictable — and silence is unfamiliar. Inside the womb, babies spend months immersed in a constant whooshing of blood flow and muffled body sounds, often measured louder than a vacuum cleaner. Steady white noise recreates a little of that familiar envelope, which is why so many babies relax the moment it starts. Just as importantly, it masks the doorbell, the older sibling, and the clatter of the kitchen that would otherwise jolt a sleeping baby awake mid-nap.

Using white noise safely

White noise is a wonderful tool when used gently. A few widely-shared guidelines:

• Keep it quiet. Aim for around a soft conversation level (roughly 50 dB). Louder is not better.
• Keep it across the room. Place the device away from the crib, not right beside your baby's head.
• Use the timer. Set the sleep timer so the sound fades gently rather than running indefinitely.
• Ask your pediatrician if you have any specific concerns about your baby's hearing or sleep.

Drifted Rain runs in any browser on the phone or tablet you already have by the crib — no separate machine to buy, no app to install.

White, pink, or brown for babies?

White noise is the brightest and best at masking. If it sounds a touch harsh in your nursery, slide in some pink noise (softer, like steady rain) or brown noise (deeper, like distant surf) until it feels just right. Many parents land on a white-plus-brown blend for a sound that's both masking and warm.

Drifted Rain is a relaxation tool, not medical advice. For questions about your baby's sleep or hearing, consult your pediatrician.