In contrast, if the residuals are purely white noise, you maxed out the abilities of the chosen model. When the residual errors show any pattern, whether seasonal or trending or have a non-zero mean, this suggests there is still room for improvement. Many of these lightweight designs can even be attached to strollers or car seats to soothe your little one while you’re on the go.Even though white noise distributions are considered dead ends, they can be quite useful in other contexts.įor example, in time series forecasting, if the differences between predictions and actual values represent a white noise distribution, you can pat yourself on the back for a job well done. To maintain a similar sleep environment as you travel, be sure to pick up a portable baby sound machine. Sleeping in a new space, like a relative’s house or a hotel room, can be disorienting for an infant or tot. Other two-in-one options include baby sound machines with night lights, star projectors and even ones shaped like cuddly stuffed animals. Looking for a baby sound machine that will transition with your kiddo once they reach toddlerhood? Consider choosing one that doubles as a time-to-rise clock. These designs are also helpful for late-night feeds or diaper changes! When going this route, choose an option that has adjustable lighting so that you can adapt the brightness to your kiddo’s (or your) preference. Many feature calming glows in various colors to soothe little ones opt for warm tones such as deep blue or dark red, suggests Mitchell. Squash your child’s fears of the dark with the help of a baby sound machine that doubles as a night light.

Plus, if you’re using it while out and about, or if your living space is ever noisier than usual, you can adjust the volume as needed.Īdjustable lighting. This way, you can easily curate a calming ambience for baby with the press of a button. The best sound machines have volume control settings. Instead, Thistel advises parents to choose devices that play continuously throughout the night to reduce the chance of waking early. However, those that turn off after a certain period of time can interrupt your child’s sleep.

Many baby sound machines offer timer settings, which can be helpful for naps or to calm baby. If your infant has trouble falling asleep without you there, opt for a baby sound machine that includes a human shushing sound some devices even give parents the option to record their own voices.Ĭontinuous sound. According to the AAP infants naturally prefer human voices to other sounds (particularly if the voice in question is that of a caregiver). While white noise is the go-to for many, some little ones may prefer other relaxing sounds, like rain, waves or their parent’s voice. If baby is sharing a bedroom with a parent or a sibling, you could even double up on sound machines and place one on either side of the space for extra coverage, says Mitchell. Alternatively, Mitchell recommends placing the baby sound machine close to the door to further neutralize any noises. If you’re worried about your curious toddler playing with the device’s wires, opt for a wireless sleep soother. That said, it’s also important to place baby sound machines out of arm’s reach from the crib (ideally seven feet away from the crib, as per the AAP) so that it doesn’t pose a potential hazard. All in all, a baby sound machine should block external noises, but not be too overwhelming, too loud or too close to your child’s sleep space, she adds. If you aren’t sure how loud it is, download an app to check the sound level, suggests Thistel. First, you’ll want to keep the volume of your white noise machine low (under 50 decibels) to protect your child’s hearing. But before you crank up the volume on any old sound machine and call it a day, there are a few more things you need to consider.

White noise machine target