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Why Making Noise Around Your Baby Can Help Them Become Better Sleepers

Posted by Darian Dozier on Jul 22, 2025 8:00:00 AM

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When a new baby arrives, many parents instinctively tiptoe around the house, lower their voices, and silence anything that might make a peep. While this well-meaning hush may feel protective, it could actually backfire when it comes to helping your baby become a deep, resilient sleeper.

In fact, exposing your baby to normal household noise during sleep might be one of the best things you can do to help them develop healthy, adaptable sleep habits.

 

Babies Are Born Into Noise

In the womb, babies are surrounded by constant sound—the rhythmic whoosh of blood flow, the hum of digestion, and the muffled murmur of voices and music from the outside world. It's far from silent in there. So when a baby is born into a world of shushed voices and dead-quiet nurseries, it can actually feel unfamiliar or unsettling.


The Case for Normal Noise

Here’s why allowing some background noise during your baby’s naps and nighttime sleep can be beneficial:

1. They Learn to Sleep Through Life

Babies who are only able to sleep in complete silence may struggle to nap or rest in real-world situations—like at daycare, during travel, or when a sibling is nearby. Introducing background noise like talking, vacuuming, or even TV chatter can help them adapt to a variety of sleep environments.

2. It Reduces Startle Waking

Paradoxically, total silence makes babies more likely to wake at sudden, unpredictable sounds. A door closing or a dog barking is far more disruptive in a silent house. But when there’s a steady hum of ambient noise, these sounds blend into the background and become less jarring.

3. White Noise Can Be Soothing

While everyday household sounds are useful, some parents also find success using white noise machines. These mimic the familiar sounds of the womb and can mask environmental noises that might otherwise wake a baby. White noise has been shown in studies to help babies fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.


How to Introduce Noise the Right Way

If you’ve been keeping things quiet and want to begin introducing more sound, start gently:

  • Keep the volume natural. Don’t blare the TV or blast music, but don’t silence the microwave or avoid conversation either.

  • Be consistent. Babies thrive on routine. If you introduce background noise during naps, try to do it consistently so they get used to it.

  • Avoid sudden loud sounds. Gradual, predictable noise is helpful; slamming doors and sharp claps are not.

  • Try a sound machine. A fan, air purifier, or white noise app can create a comforting hum that supports deeper sleep.

Conclusion

Just like learning to walk or eat solid food, sleep is a developmental skill. By creating a sleep environment that includes everyday noise, you’re helping your baby learn to sleep through normal life—not in spite of it.

It might feel counterintuitive at first, but go ahead—talk, laugh, wash dishes, or fold laundry nearby. Your baby’s brain is learning that the world doesn’t stop when they nap, and over time, they’ll learn to snooze through it all.

And that’s a gift that will help them (and you) sleep better for years to come.

 If you or someone you know struggles with sleep, please click the orange button below to take a free online sleep test and talk with one of our sleep health professionals. 

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