Shush White, Pink or Brown Noise for Babies? A Simple Guide
Updated 2026-10-29
All three are steady, “shhh”-like sounds. The difference is where the energy sits: in the high, hissy pitches or in the low, rumbly ones. Here is the simple version.
| Noise | Sounds like | Feel |
|---|---|---|
| White | TV static, a fan, a hair dryer | Bright and hissy; equal energy at every pitch |
| Pink | Steady rain, rustling leaves | Softer; less energy in the high pitches |
| Brown | Distant waterfall, airplane cabin hum | Deep and warm; most energy in the low pitches |
How to choose
- Newborns: many parents start with womb sounds with a heartbeat, which are muffled and low, much like brown noise.
- Noisy home or street: white noise covers sudden sharp sounds like doors and voices best.
- Rumbling noise (traffic, appliances) or you find white noise harsh: try brown noise.
- Something more natural: soft rain sits close to pink noise.
Whichever you pick, consistency helps: use the same sound at the same point in your bedtime routine.
Use sound gently
- Keep it low. Choose the lowest volume that still masks background noise. If you have to raise your voice to talk over it, it is too loud.
- Keep it far. Put the phone or speaker across the room, not in or next to the crib. Researchers who measured infant sleep machines advised keeping them more than 2 metres (about 6.5 feet) away.
- Keep sleep safe. Baby on their back, in their own crib or bassinet, with nothing else in it.
Source: Hugh et al., Pediatrics (2014), as summarized by Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
Questions
Which noise is best for babies?
There is no single best one. White noise is the most familiar, brown noise is the deepest and softest, and pink noise sits in between. Try one for a few nights and see what your baby settles with.
Is brown noise better than white noise for sleep?
Brown noise sounds deeper and less hissy, which many adults find more pleasant. For babies, the most important things are a low volume and keeping the device away from the crib.