Creating your little one’s perfect ‘sleep bubble’ (part 2 – sound)

As well as look and feel, sound is also a big factor to consider when setting up your baby’s nursery.

Take some time to sit and just listen. When your baby sleeps, what sounds could he/she be hearing? Are there any noises which could be waking your little one up prematurely?

It sounds obvious but sometimes in the depth of sleep deprivation or the busyness that is mummy life, what may sound like everyday noise to you, may be waking your baby.

The next time you put your baby down for a nap or the next time you go to him/her during the night, be mindful of what you hear. Put yourself in his/her shoes. My neighbours are incredibly noisy; it often sounds are though they are banging around and slamming doors. To think noise doesn’t or should affect your child’s sleep is unrealistic.

Daytime sleep is a much lighter sleep that night time sleep, and babies can be roused easily, it’s paramount to help them stay asleep and to understand they are human just like us. Noise affects them just like it does us.

Here are a few things which may be waking your baby which you may not have noticed. By taking note, you can pay attention and figure out how to create the perfect sleep environment for your baby.

Outside noise such as dogs and children playing especially if you live very close to a park or school. Cars, planes, trains, especially if you live on a busy road, near a train station or over a flight path.

Appliances in your home such as the dishwasher, washing machine and tumble dryer especially if your baby’s room falls directly next to or above any one of these appliances. If you find any of these affects your baby’s sleep, avoid using while he sleeps and find other times during the day where you can put the washing on.

To help your little one stay in his/her sleep bubble, I strongly recommend using white noise. There are some great apps such as ‘Sound Soother’. Try to place the device where the main noise is coming from, such as near the window which backs onto the busy road.

For, e.g., my daughter’s room backs out onto railway lines; we have a train stain right behind our house as well as a little park, so I place an iPad playing fan white noise near the window to help dull out the noise. My husband works from home and loves to run up the stairs three at a time; his bathroom is also right next door to her bedroom. So I have another iPad playing the same white noise at the entrance to her room blocking out our normal house noise. Below her room is the washing machine and tumble dryer, both which wake her from a nap, so I have to use them at a time when she’s not napping/sleeping.

To help your little one stay in his/her sleep bubble, I strongly recommend using white noise. There are some great apps such as ‘Sound Soother’. Try to place the device where the main noise is coming from, such as near the window which backs onto the busy road or even just counter balance the everyday noise that you make while your baby naps such as tidying up or making lunch.

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To find out how I can help get your little one sleeping well, book a free call with me here