When it comes to soothing their babies, most parents are willing to go to great lengths to put their little ones at ease, especially if it means a better night’s sleep for everyone. While there are bound to be some restless nights during early parenthood, the good news is that creating a comfortable sleep environment for your baby doesn’t have to be complicated.
For adults and babies alike, white noise can be a powerful tool for promoting slumber. Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, or planning to grow your family, here’s what you should know about white noise machines for babies.
Do Babies Like White Noise?
While babies can’t tell us for sure whether they enjoy white noise, we do know that the womb is a fairly noisy environment. Although outside sounds are muffled, ambient noises like those from nearby organs create a constant soundtrack for babies as they develop. It’s no surprise that low, steady sounds seem to lull some little ones to sleep (and many adults, too!)1.
Beyond creating a familiar environment, white noise has the added benefit of helping to block out household sounds that might otherwise disrupt your baby’s sleep. Whether it’s an older sibling chatting at bedtime or a doorbell ringing during naptime, these noises can’t be prevented completely, but limiting their effect could go a long way towards preserving precious slumber2.
Should My Baby Always Sleep With White Noise?
While many parents find that white noise contributes to better sleep for their infants, it may not always be the right fit. In particular, you might wonder about its long-term effects. So, is white noise bad for babies to sleep with every night?
Sometimes, babies can become reliant on the conditions they’re used to at bed and naptime, whether that’s blackout curtains, a white noise machine, or other environmental comforts. Since self-soothing is an important part of developing a healthy bedtime routine, pausing the use of white noise as your little one grows can give them the chance to hone those important skills. But remember that for babies under the age of 6 months, nighttime waking may be normal if they have a need to be met2.
With that in mind, there are steps you can take to form a healthy nighttime routine that your infant will begin to associate with bed, including brushing teeth, taking a bath, and reading a book. Implementing these habits can help little ones understand the repetitive patterns that help them prepare for bedtime. If you’re unsure when the best time is to stop using white noise, ask your pediatrician for an individualized recommendation.
It’s also important to note that some babies may simply not like white noise. Every infant is different, so if you’re questioning whether their nursery soundtrack could be contributing to sleep struggles, it may be worth taking a break to test the theory 1.
Is White Noise Safe for Babies?
Of course, as with nearly every decision parents and caregivers face, you might also wonder whether there are any safety concerns with white noise. Fortunately, experts have recommendations to protect your baby’s hearing while they enjoy the benefits of white noise: limit the volume to 50 decibels (similar to the hum of modern, low-volume dishwashers), and keep the device out of your baby’s reach 1.
How to Add White Noise to Your Baby’s Nursery
One way to incorporate white noise into your baby’s nursery is to introduce a sound machine, like the new Baby Sound Machine + Aroma device. The 15 sounds, including white noise and familiar nursery tunes, and aroma diffusion* to support rest and ease fussy infants. Meanwhile, the dimmable nightlight comes in handy during late-night feedings and diaper changes.
Canopy’s Nursery Humidifier 2.0 not only achieves the perfect gentle hum, it also has the added benefit of providing more hydrated air in their sleep space.
Our newly updated model offers a sleek, modern design perfect for blending in with your nursery’s aesthetics and staying well out of reach. And when it comes to promoting clean, hydrated air, caregivers can take comfort in knowing the device’s filter contains a MERV 5 pre-filter, while its proprietary Smart Persistent Airflow (SPA) technology, and UV lights, help inhibit mold growth inside the device**.
With an optional white noise setting, Canopy’s Nursery Humidifier 2.0 allows you to keep sound playing when it suits your baby’s comfort. Switch between traditional White Noise, Soft Storm, and Rolling Waves to see which setting your baby likes best. For an even more soothing nursery environment, help your little one wind down with soft, dimmable light features and built-in aroma diffusion*.
Whether you’re planning a nursery or looking for ways to help your little one get their best sleep, Canopy has you covered. Create better bedtime habits with cleaner, fresher air and gentle white noise that can make your little one more comfortable. Discover more about our humidifier designed especially for babies online.
* - Canopy applies commonly accepted clean standards for our aroma products which means they are made without parabens, phthalates, sulfates, mineral oils, or synthetic dyes. Canopy aroma products may contain both natural and synthetic substances, and are vegan, cruelty-free, and formulated with pure essential oils.
** - Humidifier does not treat air; inhibits mold growth in device & filter. Third-party testing shown to inhibit growth of Aspergillus niger (commonly known as Black Mold) based on standard GB/T 23332-2018 comparing mold growth in humidifiers with and without Smart Persistent Airflow.
Sources:
- Felton, K. (9 September 2025). Can White Noise Help Your Baby Sleep Better? What to Expect. Retrieved February 25, 2026 from https://www.whattoexpect.com/first-year/sleep/white-noise-sound-for-babies/
- Cherney, K. (3 May 2019). The Pros and Cons of Using White Noise to Put Babies to Sleep. Healthline. Retrieved February 25, 2026 from https://www.healthline.com/health/parenting/white-noise-for-babies
