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SLEEP => General Sleep Issues => Topic started by: jennygold on July 19, 2007, 18:01:48 pm

Title: white noise bad for babies?
Post by: jennygold on July 19, 2007, 18:01:48 pm
I was told by someone that white noise can delay auditory processing in babies!  Has anyone ever heard this before?  my lo always sleeps with radio static and now I am worried...
Title: Re: white noise bad for babies?
Post by: Sarah˛ on July 19, 2007, 18:02:42 pm
I've never heard that. Henry has had white noise since he was itty-bitty. Lily has had it since she was born. Neither have any auditory problems.
Title: Re: white noise bad for babies?
Post by: jennygold on July 19, 2007, 18:09:00 pm
ok, I feel better!  Thanks
Title: Re: white noise bad for babies?
Post by: Mom2katiebug on July 20, 2007, 02:07:42 am
While pg I read that some group did a study and found that white noise can be damaging.  I can't recall how it was damaging and I didn't read the actual study myself.  It'd call it more hearsay information, but I was judicious in my use of white noise with DD.  Actually it didn't really seem to make a difference for us, so we quit using it.
Title: Re: white noise bad for babies?
Post by: nwmm on July 20, 2007, 03:40:24 am
I always worried that it was too loud when my lo was an infant.  The louder it was the easier she calmed down.

In terms of making you feel better, everyone comments on good her hearing is.  It is too the point where she asks about every single noise.  And, speech... as much as I am thankful for her vocabulary it can make for a long day.  ;D
Title: Re: white noise bad for babies?
Post by: Kaylee's Mom on July 20, 2007, 12:51:12 pm
We are using some white noise CD I have downloaded from thhe web site below. They are all free downloads and each sound is an hour long. I downloaded them to play in the car to.
http://www.babysleepnoise.com/download.html
Title: Re: white noise bad for babies?
Post by: jmjaskula on July 20, 2007, 14:01:49 pm
I was just hanging out at a colic support website and a mom there mentioned white noise could delay speech and auditory development.  I did a google search and found a study done with rats that determined white noise could be detrimental to development.  Here is the article:

http://www.webmd.com/baby/news/20030417/white-noise-may-delay-infant-development.

Although I have not read the original study, the rats may have been exposed to constant white noise throughout their wakeful times when they need to hear other sounds. We only play white noise during sleep when the auditory parts of the brain don't need to be stimulated.  And when baby is up and playing he/she is exposed to a variety of sounds and signals to stimulate those learning centers.  That's one criticism of the conclusion of the study I can think of, but, as I said, I haven't read the article.