Baby night light: with or without white noise?
A night light helps with breastfeeding, changing and comforting in the middle of the night. Many models now also play white noise or lullabies. Do you need that? Here you'll learn when a night light with white noise makes sense, how to use it safely and which model suits your family.
The key points
- Light: Dimmed, warm light is all you need at night. Bright ceiling light wakes you and your baby up more than necessary.
- White noise: Some babies fall asleep more easily with a steady sound, others don't need it. Try it out instead of letting it run all night, every night.
- Distance and volume: A study in the journal Pediatrics measured 14 infant sleep machines at full volume. All of them were above 50 decibels, the recommended limit for hospital nurseries. The researchers therefore advise placing such devices more than 2 meters from the crib and keeping the volume low.
- Not in the crib: A night light belongs out of your baby's reach, not in the crib.
- A timer is worth its weight in gold: A device that switches itself off won't run all night.
With or without white noise?
A night light without sound does the most important job: you can see enough to breastfeed, give a bottle or change a diaper without lighting up the whole room. White noise is an extra feature. It can help if your baby wakes up from noises in the hallway or from the street, or if you're looking for a fixed bedtime routine: dim the light, white noise on, lie down.
If your baby sleeps well without it, you don't need white noise. If you do use it, set it as quietly as possible and only let it run while your baby falls asleep.
How to use a night light with white noise safely
- Keep your distance: Put the device on the dresser or a shelf, not next to your baby's head. The researchers recommend more than 2 meters.
- Keep it quiet: Start with the lowest setting. You should still be able to talk in a whisper in the room without any problem.
- Use the timer: Let the sound switch off once your baby is asleep.
- Warm light: Choose a warm, soft color and the lowest brightness that works for you.
- Keep it out of the crib: Plush and fabric night lights are not cuddly toys for sleeping. Soft objects don't belong in a sleeping baby's crib.
Three night lights compared
trois kilos sept Wooly: plush with your voice
The Wooly night light is made of soft plush and has 3 brightness levels, 9 light colors and 3 white noise sounds. What makes it special: you can record your own voice, a song or a "sleep tight". The battery charges via USB-C, so you don't need a socket by the bed. The electronics can be removed, and the plush goes in the washing machine. At around 150 g, it's light enough for a sleepover at Grandma's. €49.99.
trois kilos sept silicone Hippo: controlled from your phone
The Hippo silicone night light has 6 LED colors and a touch dimmer. You control it from your phone via Bluetooth; it plays white noise and lullabies and switches itself off after 30 minutes. So you don't have to get up at night to turn it down. You simply wipe silicone clean with a damp cloth. €36.99.
Snüz SnüzCloud: for home and on the go
The SnüzCloud is a soft fabric cloud with four sounds: heartbeat, pink noise, lullaby and waterfall. It also has a pink glow or a white night light for diaper changes. Sound and light each run for 20 minutes. It attaches with a hook-and-loop strap to the stroller, cradle or car seat, so you can take your bedtime routine with you on the go. Snüz approves it from birth. It runs on three AAA batteries (not included). Important: don't hang it directly above your baby's head, and remove it once your baby is asleep. €35.
Which one suits you?
| Wooly | Silicone Hippo | SnüzCloud | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Material | Plush | Silicone | Fabric |
| Sounds | 3 + your own voice | White noise and lullabies via app | 4 sounds |
| Auto shut-off | not specified | after 30 minutes | after 20 minutes |
| Power | Rechargeable battery, USB-C | Rechargeable battery, USB-C | 3 × AAA |
| Cleaning | Plush washable | wipe clean | Cover washable at 30 °C |
| Special feature | Voice recording | Bluetooth | Attaches to the stroller |
You'll find all models under Night lights. More for peaceful nights is waiting under Living & sleeping and at Snüz.
Frequently asked questions
Is white noise good for babies?
Some babies fall asleep more easily with it, for others it isn't necessary. If you use it, keep it quiet, at a distance from the crib and ideally with a timer.
How loud can a night light with white noise be?
As quiet as possible. In one study, all 14 devices tested were above 50 decibels at full volume. So keep the volume low and place the device more than 2 meters from the crib.
Which light color is best at night?
A warm, dimmed tone. It's enough for breastfeeding and diaper changes and is more pleasant than bright, bluish light.
Can the night light go in the crib?
No. Place it out of reach. Soft objects don't belong in a sleeping baby's crib.
From when can I use a night light?
A night light for you, for breastfeeding and changing, is handy from day one. Snüz approves the SnüzCloud from birth.
