White noise--what is it? It has become increasingly popular especially for newborns, in an attempt to get them to sleep. I have contemplated this topic for sometime and decided to resurrect my blog to address this topic.
So, first of all, what is white noise? According to google, it is a 'heterogeneous mixture of sound waves extending over a wide frequency range." Heterogeneous means a diverse mixture, or a collection of different variations of some thing. In other words, white noise is a combination of many different sounds in different frequencies. The problem is, there is no such thing as empty noise. All noise has a source, whether a knock, or a buzz, or a ring, something made that noise! Just ask any housewife staying by herself who hears a strange sound in the night! So, what is the source of the sounds used in white noise?? Engines running? Wind blowing? People talking? Music? What are they saying? Propaganda? Knowing Satan, it is definitely not hymns playing or scripture reading!! Eventhough the sound is indiscernible, it is understood by your mind. Our Creator gave us amazing abilities with our minds, so that anything we hear, even if we can't tell what is being said, can often be translated or unscrambled in our minds. I have always been wary of sounds that are not able to be comprehended. Your mind can solve the puzzle and it is subliminally teaching you. Be wary of anything that you can't understand.
Secondly, there is no order to white noise. It is simply chaos. Supposedly white noise mimics the sounds of the inside of a mother's womb. Seriously? Think about the inside of a mother's womb and the sounds that a baby would hear: the mother's heartbeat, (order), blood whooshing through her veins (order), her breathing (order). There is no discernible pattern to white noise. We all know our Creator designed our world with perfect order. Our bodies respond best to order. Our minds thrive and grow with order-- the alphabet, times tables, counting. It's how we grow and learn. I believe the chaos of white noise disrupts that and causes confusion in a child's mind.
I also need to address the decibel factor. According to google, the white noise machine should be set at 55-60 decibels. On the decibel chart, this is equated with running a dishwasher or a vacuum cleaner. Other sites recommend setting the decibels even higher if the white noise doesn't help your baby's sleep. Oh my. Could you sleep with a vacuum cleaner right next to your head?? Think of the damage it is doing to a newborn's hearing. Early development of their hearing is so important and very sensitive.
Finally, I would like to address the value of silence. There is something to be said about quietness and stillness. Laying on your bed at night and reflecting on the day is important to mental health as well. The Bible addresses this often: "In quietness and confidence shall be your strength" Isaiah 30:15, "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee" Isaiah 26:3, Over and over we read the words "be still". David often mentions meditating on his bed. Little Samuel would never have heard the voice of the Lord had his mother addicted him to a white noise machine!! We have filled our lives with devices that fill our days with sound and noise. We can't work without music or a podcast playing. Spend some time in SILENT reflection. It is very refreshing! And allow your children to explore silence! It is wonderful for the imagination!
If you use a white noise machine, I'd recommend you stop. Let your baby learn to settle themself. If they do need something to calm them at night, play classical music, Bible reading, or sermon recordings on low volume. But, don't leave it on all night. Allow some silence! Don't despair if you have used a white noise machine in the past. Brains are amazing tools and they heal very well! I highly recommend the book "Create A Better Brain Through Neuroplasticity" by Debbie Pearl. Also 'The Sound of Healing" by Michael Tyrell. Amazing information on how music-- the right kind-- can actually heal mental and physical damage!! More to come on that topic! ~~
