How loud should white noise be for a baby?

Author LullasureReviewer pediatric audiologist review pendingSources reviewed 2026-09-03

Direct answerStands on its own

Quieter than most machines ship. The American Academy of Pediatrics advises placing an infant sound machine as far from the baby as possible, using the lowest volume that still works, and limiting how long it runs. Measure at crib height before sleep, then choose the quietest setting that masks your household.

What this does not mean: A number on a phone is an estimate. It supports a comparison between placements and settings; it does not declare a nursery safe.

Why there is no single correct number

The figure most often repeated online, 50 dBA, comes from hospital nursery guidance. It is a reasonable reference for a quiet environment, but it was never written as a consumer app threshold, and it says nothing about how far the speaker is from a specific crib.

Sound level falls with distance, changes with the speaker, and changes with the room. Two parents using the same machine at the same dial position can produce very different levels at the mattress. That is why the AAP frames its advice as habits rather than a limit.

A procedure that works in any nursery

Place the machine far from the crib, ideally across the room and never on the crib rail or inside it.
Start at the lowest setting and only raise it if it fails to mask the noise you care about.
Check at crib height with the crib empty: put the measuring phone on the mattress, run a 30-second check, and note the estimated dBA.
Compare, do not certify. Move the machine or lower the dial and check again. Keep the lowest configuration that still works.
Use a timer. A fade-out after the baby settles limits total exposure without a cold stop.

What the research on infant sound machines found

A 2021 study of white-noise devices marketed for infants, including phone apps, found that some could exceed recommended levels at maximum volume when placed close to a crib. The authors recommended conservative use and further research, not abandoning sound machines. The practical takeaway is simple: distance and a low setting matter more than the brand.

Sources

Follow-up questions

Should white noise run all night?

The AAP suggests limiting duration. Many parents use a fade-out timer once the baby is asleep and restart it only if needed.

Is pink or brown noise quieter than white noise?

Not automatically. They distribute energy differently, so they can sound softer at the same measured level. Check the level at crib height either way.