SYNAWAKE
Kids
Sleep Sounds for Babies and Toddlers: What's Safe
Soft, steady sound can be a gentle part of a bedtime routine. Used the wrong way, it can be too loud for small ears. Here is how to keep it simple and safe.
Keep the volume low
Aim for about 50 dB at the crib, roughly as loud as a quiet fridge. One study of infant sleep sound machines found that some could get much louder than that at full volume, so never use full volume. A free sound meter app on your phone gives you a rough idea: hold the phone where your child's head is.
Keep the speaker about 2 m away
Place the phone or speaker about 2 metres from the bed, across the room if you can. Never put it in or on the crib or cot. Keep cables and devices well out of reach.
No headphones
Babies and toddlers should not sleep with headphones or earbuds. They can be too loud so close to the ear, and they are not safe in a bed. Sleep sounds for little ones are for a speaker only.
Why there are no binaural beats for kids
Binaural beats need headphones, and they have not been properly studied in babies and young children. So our Kids sessions don't use them at all: only plain, soft sounds.
Use a timer
Sound doesn't need to play all night. Start it as part of the routine, and let it fade out once your child has settled.
Which sounds suit which age?
| Age | Often used |
|---|---|
| Infants, 0–12 months | Low, steady sounds: womb-like whoosh with a slow heartbeat, warm brown noise, gentle rain, wordless humming |
| Toddlers, 1–3 years | The same calm music every night: music box, slow piano, soft waves |
Every child is different, and no sound can promise sleep. Think of it as one calm signal in the routine, along with dim light, a cuddle and the same order of steps each night.
Sound is only one part of safe sleep
Please follow your paediatrician's safe sleep advice as well. If your child's sleep worries you, or you are worried about their hearing, talk to your paediatrician.
Try it now, free
Every Synawake session has a free 2-minute preview. Headphones on, volume low.
Listen to a free previewQuestions
How loud should baby sleep sounds be?
Low: about 50 dB at the crib, like a quiet fridge. Never use full volume.
Can babies listen to binaural beats?
We do not recommend it. Binaural beats need headphones, and they have not been properly studied in babies and young children.
How far should the speaker be from the crib?
About 2 metres, and never in or on the crib.
Synawake is relaxation and focus music, not a medical treatment. It does not diagnose, treat or cure any condition. Don't listen while driving or operating machines. If you have epilepsy, a seizure disorder or a heart condition, ask your doctor before using binaural beats. If sleep problems or anxiety last a long time, please talk to a doctor or therapist.