Free White Noise & Soothing Sounds for Baby Sleep

White noise may help some babies fall asleep faster by masking sudden household sounds and giving them a steady, womb-like backdrop. The evidence is real but limited — a small 1990 study found 80% of newborns fell asleep within five minutes with white noise, versus 25% without it, and a 2025 meta-analysis found modest sleep improvements, while other reviews call the overall evidence weak. It may help; it's not a guarantee. Read the research.

Some sound machines play louder than is safe for infant ears — a 2014 study in Pediatrics (the American Academy of Pediatrics' own journal) found several commercial models exceeded 85 dB at typical distances. Running white noise every night can also become a sleep association some babies rely on — usually manageable, not dangerous. See the safety research.

Aim for around 50 dB measured at your baby's ear — about the loudness of a quiet conversation, not just at the machine. Based on the same research, place the speaker at least 2 meters (about 7 feet) from the crib, and prefer a timer or fade-out over playing all night. Full loudness guide.