Why does my baby sleep better in a noisy room than a quiet one?

Babies often sleep better with some background noise because the womb isn’t quiet. During pregnancy, they’re exposed to a steady mix of muffled sounds, so a completely silent room can feel unfamiliar. A little noise can also help mask sudden sounds—like a door closing or a dog barking—that might startle a baby awake.

A constant, gentle sound such as white noise or a fan can act like a sound blanket, making it easier for some babies to stay asleep between sleep cycles.

One important caution: keep any sound machine or white-noise source at a low volume and placed well away from the baby. A practical rule is to make sure it’s not loud at the crib and to follow the device’s instructions and your pediatrician’s guidance. If you want, I can also give you a quick guide to safe white-noise volume and placement.