Vacuum Cleaner Sound
The deep, steady noise of a vacuum cleaner: a broad bed, a motor tone with its harmonics, and one hollow resonance for the hose. This is the sound parents reach for during colic.
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Playing sound near a baby
Sound machines are common and the evidence behind them is thin. These are the precautions the published guidance supports.
- Keep the sound near 50 dB at the baby's ear. That is about as loud as a quiet conversation.
- Put the device at least 2 m (7 ft) from the crib, and never inside it.
- Use the lowest volume that settles your baby. Louder is not better.
- Use the sleep timer instead of playing all night, and turn the sound off once your baby is asleep.
- Phone and tablet speakers vary, so the volume slider on this page is not a level meter. A free sound level meter app gives you a rough check at the crib.
A 2014 study in Pediatrics measured 14 infant sleep machines and found every one could exceed 50 dBA at 30 cm at maximum volume, which is why the precautions above are about distance, level and playing time. The American Academy of Pediatrics does not endorse white noise for babies and asks for caution, and the one small trial people cite in its favor covered only 40 newborns; all three sources are below.
This page is not medical advice and these tools treat nothing. They mask other sound, and many parents find that soothing. Ask your pediatrician about your own baby.
Sources
Vacuum noise and colic
Vacuum noise is the classic colic sound. Whole albums and ten hour videos exist for it, and plenty of parents say it is the only thing that stops the crying. What does not exist is good evidence: the effect is reported, never measured in a trial. Colic is common, it peaks around six weeks and it usually passes by three or four months. If your baby cries inconsolably, or the crying changes, call your pediatrician rather than the internet.
How it is made
A broad noise bed rolled off above 5 kHz carries the body. A 140 Hz motor tone with its third and fifth harmonics sits under two formant peaks near 500 Hz and 1.5 kHz. One narrow band near 720 Hz adds the hollow color of the hose.
How to use it
Turn settle mode on so playback starts 6 dB above your volume and steps back down over six minutes. Keep the device at least 2 m (7 ft) from the crib and arm the sleep timer instead of leaving it running.
Frequently asked questions
Does vacuum noise help with colic?
Many parents say it does, and no trial has shown it. Colic peaks around six weeks and usually passes by three or four months on its own. Sound is one of the harmless things to try while you wait it out. Crying that is unusual or will not stop is a reason to call your pediatrician.
How is this different from white noise?
White noise is flat across the spectrum. This has a motor tone with harmonics, two formant peaks and a hollow resonance under a bed rolled off above 5 kHz, which is what makes it read as an appliance rather than as static.
How long can it play?
Use the sleep timer rather than leaving it on: 15 minutes to 2 hours are on offer here. Published advice is to turn a sleep machine off once the baby is asleep and to keep the volume low.
Are there other sounds like it?
Hair dryer noise is the bright version of the same family. The womb, heartbeat and shushing pages are gentler, and the noise generator gives you plain white, pink or brown noise. All of them are on this site.