How and how long did you use LOUD white noise to settle baby? (Worried I'm overusing vacuum cleaner)

[Blanca78]

So...DD is 4.5 months old and the vacuum cleaner (a very LOUD Dirt Devil hand held thingy) still works like magic--if she is fussing or restless, cranky but obviously wanting to sleep, we turn it on and more often than not she falls asleep within minutes, if not seconds. But I worry not only about her hearing but if it is somehow stressful to have such a loud noise associated with sleep.

Is it weird to still be using such a device at this age? How long did you use vacuums, hairdryers, etc. with your DC?

I'm probably overthinking it, but it just feels weird to me--so mechanical. But when she's in the cranky/exhausted mood, it actually seems to wind her up if I rock her or pat her or other more gentle soothing methods. Turn on the vacuum cleaner and BAM! her body relaxes and she goes silent. I usually only run it for up to five minutes at a time, but still.

[cameragirl]

I don't think it is unusual. We used the bathroom fan for sometime while DD was an infant. Now we have a white noise machine in her room if she needs it, but she is usually fine without it.

[ashleybrook]

from what i read you just want to make sure it's not too close or too loud for hearing damage...that's why some people prefer white noise machines because you can control the sound level and turn it down as they relax. do you leave it on long? or just a few minutes? 

it seems weird to me too, but my LO likes the vacuum and finds it relaxing, so i don't hesitate to vacuum. he's 6 months, i don't use it regularly anymore but sometimes we still enjoy it with him in the ergo and me vacuuming.

[Blanca78]

Yeah, it's pretty loud. It's not right next to her head or anything, but across the room. I leave it on usually for a couple minutes at a time, up to 5 minutes maybe. I do worry about the hearing damage but the fan and white noise machine we have don't get loud enough to even catch her attention. I'm thinking of downloading the vacuum sound MP3 so I can make a CD and at least control the volume a little better, but it seems like she needs it super loud to catch her attention and get her to zone out.

[somegirl99]

Back when DS needed it (first few months) we recorded our vacuum cleaner to an MP3, then we would start it off playing really loud and then as DS calmed down we'd turn down the volume and he'd usually stay calm, if he got upset we would turn it back up temporarily.  We were able to gradually go quieter and quieter and eventually didn't need it all (although we do still use normal white noise for sleeping).

[Blanca78]

Oh, that's a great idea--I didn't even think of just recording it ourselves. That'll save us the $9.99. Do you remember how old he was when you phased it out?
 

Originally Posted by somegirl99 

Back when DS needed it (first few months) we recorded our vacuum cleaner to an MP3, then we would start it off playing really loud and then as DS calmed down we'd turn down the volume and he'd usually stay calm, if he got upset we would turn it back up temporarily.  We were able to gradually go quieter and quieter and eventually didn't need it all (although we do still use normal white noise for sleeping).

[somegirl99]

Not exactly sure, but it was somewhere around 3-4 months that we didn't have to use it all the time, just once in a while, and it got less and less frequent, and I'm pretty sure we didn't have to use it at all after 6 months.

Originally Posted by Blanca78 

Oh, that's a great idea--I didn't even think of just recording it ourselves. That'll save us the $9.99. Do you remember how old he was when you phased it out?
 

[Beebsmom]

I don't think there is anything unusual about that.  My sone is almost a year, and he sleeps better when it's raining or thunderstorming out...or when DH is in the shower which is right against his bedroom wall...so we are going to get a white noise machine with rain and thunderstorm sounds this weekend!  Never used one before, but if it helps him get a good nights sleep...I figure who cares! LOL  If my little guy wants to sleep with white noise on until he's in college...that's fine with me! I know they make white noise machines for adults...so I can't see that the vaccum is any different?  Do what works for you and whatever can help get your little one on a good schedule is good for you and for baby!  Good luck!

[cameragirl]

I need a white noise machine myself to sleep. It blocks out the random neighborhood noises and DH's random snores. I really don't see an issue as long as the volume is reasonable. That white noise sounds an awful lot like blood whooshing through the umbilical cord. DD used to conk out if we took her in a darkened bathroom with the fan on.

[Blanca78]

Thanks, everyone. My main concern is the volume, but it's only for a couple minutes at a time, so maybe it's all right. She also has a regular white noise machine that's a lot quieter, but when she's fussing she doesn't even notice if it's on. The vacuum gets her attention! It is crazy how immediately it makes her relax and fall asleep.