Baby Sound Machine Review

If your baby or toddler has trouble falling asleep at night, insisting on being held or rocked through the night, you should try lulling them to sleep with an infant sound machine. Designed with built-in sounds specifically for children, like lullabies and the sound of a heart beating, baby sound machines can be the answer to your child's – and your own – sleepless nights. We’ve researched the best white noise machines for babies and have created a side-by-side matrix to help you narrow down your search. We’ve even written articles on baby sound machines for further purchasing advice. At TopTenREVIEWS We Do the Research So You Don’t Have To.™

Baby Sound Machines: What to Look For

Whether your baby suffers from colic or a cold, is teething or just fussy, a baby sound machine could be the solution to calming them down, soothing them enough to fall asleep. While baby sound machines aren’t the answer for every child, most have a 90 percent effective rate. We have delineated the most essential aspects of an infant sound machine to help ensure you pick the best product for your child.

Features
An infant sound machine’s primary purpose is to lull your child to sleep. Beyond that, you’ll find that it is essential to have white noise machines equipped with sleep timer options and continuous play. Additional features that add to our favorite sound machines' functionalities are a built-in MP3 port, optional nightlight and motion sensor. The Graco SweetSlumber Sound Machine has a built-in swivel tray on the base where you can safely store your MP3 player. If you decide to use the sound machine for your own personal use, headphone jacks are also included in most sound machines, like the dexbaby Sound Sleeper. Some baby sound machines are even found in plush stuffed animals that attach to your child’s crib and that your child can play with like a normal toy. Because you will most likely use this machine on a daily basis, be sure to take wear and tear into account and purchase a sound machine with a warranty of at least 90 days, like The First Years Sounds for Silence Premium.

Ease of Use
Whether you're adjusting the white noise machine during your child’s nap or during the middle of the night, you will want a user-friendly sound machine. Look for softly lit buttons or easy-to-find switches. Check for volume control and an auto shut off option. After 30 to 40 minutes your child will most likely be fast asleep and the best sound machines will automatically turn off after an allotted period of time. To make travel with the white noise machine easy, the majority of machines run on batteries and come with an AC adapter.

Sound Selection
The steady beating of a heart thumps softly in the background, creating an environment that represents a safe place to your infant. Sounds specific to infants and toddlers are, in our opinion, one of the best aspects of infant sound machines. Soothing lullabies, water-based sounds and a mother’s heartbeat are just a few of the options available. Choose a sound machine with sounds your child will become comfortable with; the amount of sounds isn’t as important as the quality.

When your child hears the comforting sounds of the ocean gently lapping against the shore, the soft pattering of rain or a steady heartbeat, a wave of comfort will wash over them and they will drift to sleep. The benefits of a well-rested child make it well worth trying out a baby sound machine.