Newborn babies are not used to silence - it is actually really loud in the womb! That's why noise that mimics the womb makes babies feel safe and helps them sleep. So make sure to invest in a white noise sleep aid.
New babies have not developed their biological clock (circadian rhythm). Babies who are exposed to natural light during the day, adapt the circadian rhythm more quickly and sleep better at night.
Try creating a consistent night-time routine even if your baby doesn't seem ready for bed. Make it yours and don't stress about it too much - going to bed at a similar time and starting white noise at bed-time is a good start!
Babies can be incredibly active while they are sleeping, so it's easy to think that they are awake. Refrain from picking your baby up if they are only stirring. A good white noise sleep aid should pick up on your baby stirring and play white noise automatically to soothe them back to sleep.
Babies should sleep in their parents' room for at least 6 months. Bedroom environment is a key factor in getting a good night’s sleep (for baby and the parents!). Set the right temperature, eliminate external light and noise. Playing white noise blocks out external sounds and helps people of all ages sleep better through the night!
Vinnie has always been a good sleeper and I think it’s mainly down to a set routine. Clean nappy, fresh pjs, clean his teeth and then 5 mins of fun before bed.
For bed I’ve always done the same: get him snuggled in his sleeping bag, dummy, comfort blanket and switch on his white noise, which for us is our myHummy 🧸
It’s then a quick kiss and lights out 💡and he’s settled down and gone to sleep. It’s only taken 6 children to realise routine really does pay off. Vinnie’s always had white noise since the first day he came home from hospital and knows it’s associated with sleep time.
It’s only taken 6 kids & 15 years to finally get a sleep routine 😂 So there is hope for any sleep deprived parent!
- Susanna, @mummywright.7
1. What sounds does it play? Make sure the toy offers a choice of sounds, not all babies will react to every sound. White noise sounds may sound similar to grown-up ears, but your baby will likely have a fave, like rainfall, heartbeat, or a hairdryer...
2. How long does it play for? Many sleep aid toys on the market play only for 20 minutes. This is not long enough for a bay to fall into deep sleep. Choose one that that has an option to play for min. 60 minutes but ideally also all night long, like myHummy.
3. Does it reactivate the sound when baby starts to stir? You already know that babies stir A LOT. The last thing you want to do when your baby is only stirring is to wake them up fully. Choose a sleep aid that responds to your bay waking up.
"I'm really glad I bought this product. I love that you have the option to play the sound continuously as other products switched off and then baby woke up! You can also have a setting where it goes off after a while but comes back on when baby cries. It fades out slowly too which is perfect."
- Collette H.
“We bought our myHummy when our baby was about 4 weeks old after he settled with white noise from our phone. He has slept 9pm - 8am since he was 10 weeks. I knew the myHummy helped to settle him but didn't realise just how much until last night. He woke up at 5am and wouldn't settle back down, then I realised the hummy wasn't on, the batteries had gone. Change of batteries and he was back asleep within 10 mins.”
- Louise E.