Newborns up to 3 months old need to sleep about 14 to 17 hours a day and older babies need 12 to 16 hours (including naps). Getting babies all the sleep they need isn’t always easy, as all new parents know. One study of newborns found that 80 percent exposed to white noise dozed off within five minutes, while only 25 percent of those without the background noise fell asleep as quickly. Pros: The pros of using white noise for babies is that it soothes them and can help them get the sleep they need. What are the pros and cons of using white noise and other baby sound machines? Don’t put the white noise machine or its cords within your child’s reach, and turn it off if it seems too loud or may be bothering him.

If you’re still worried about the risks, follow common sense and your instincts. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends using a white noise machine set no louder than 50 decibels (about the sound level of a quiet dishwasher), so you’ll want to place it well away from baby’s crib, use a low volume setting and stop playing it once baby falls asleep, if possible.

White noise is meant to be in the background, so as long as it stays there, white noise is okay for babies from a health perspective.

How to get rid of white noise