Tuesday, December 27, 2005

In search of white noise

I've read that playing white noise in the background can help a person sleep better, and it's been suggested as an aid to increase the length of Baby's naps. We've already tried having the radio on untuned, but we get this annoying high-pitched frequency in amongst the general hum of static.

So today I had a browse around on the 'Net, in search of some examples of purpose-made white noise. Wow, did you know there's a website devoted to CDs of white noise?

I quite liked the sound of some of the titles on this site; they have Baby's First White Noise, Baby's Vacuum Cleaner, Baby's Electric Fan...

Moving away from the strictly white noise, and more towards the lullaby theme, I also found CDs to calm fretful Christian babies and whiny dogs (that's two separate CDs I'm talking about)!

The boy told me that he finds whale sounds soothing, but I don't think the serenading of humpback whales would put me to sleep, judging by this sample.

Now I'm no New Ager, but the sample I heard from the Raindreaming CD sounds absolutely gorgeous; I'm tempted to search out a copy just for myself.

But for Baby, I think it'll be either rain sounds or waves ; she's heard the sound of rain already so it's nothing new, and the sound of waves lapping at the shore has always worked wonders for my own stress levels.

Oh yeah - has anyone used the Fisher Price Ocean Wonders Aquarium as a sleep aid for their baby, and does it work?

7 comments:

Kathryn said...

I'd be expecting a lot more wet nappies if you play the rain or waves cds :)

Rainypete said...

I can't promise the same results, but that aquarium worked magic for our daughter and now the wee lad. The best part is that it has a couple of settings and a volume wheel!

Violet said...

kathrynoh: you've got a point there...the night time nappy situation is barely manageable as it is!

rainypete: that's good; if the white noise doesn't work out then I'll look into getting one. Perhaps I could look for a CD of fish-tank sounds...

Violet said...

eb: yeah, if only you could turn it on via remote control.

Unknown said...

you could just hire me and flying kiwi, her ex-boyfriend reckoned we made such good white noise that the CIA should hire us (he could never hear sport on TV when we were talking... poor boy)

Violet said...

editter: but how much would you charge, and could you keep it up for hours?

boudica of suburbia said...

I think as long as you're consistent with it its fine. My best friend still falls asleep to BBC Radio 4. Bound to make baby brainer, BF is at Oxford Uni at the moment lol

xxB