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There's no sense in sugarcoating it. Life with twins can be loud.
There are times when your twins will play nicely, either independently or together, and there are times when they'll squabble and let their frustrations be known.
But when it's bedtime, the noise needs to dial back and make way for a peaceful ambiance and rejuvenating rest.
Enter: a different kind of noise. White noise.
You've probably heard of it and have probably had other parents tell you how much it helps their children sleep.
But did you know there are actually several different types of colored noise and that they have different sound characteristics?
Which color of noise is best-suited for you? Read on to find out.
Making sense of the noise
If you're thinking about getting a sound machine, you'll soon discover there are many different kinds out there with varying types of noise. The most popular or talked about type of noise is white noise, but there are also machines that make brown noise, pink noise, and green noise.
White, brown, pink, and green noise each have different sound characteristics, and what differentiates these different colored noises is their frequency distribution, which affects the way they sound.
The color of the noise comes from its spectral composition.
White noise has equal power across all audible frequencies; think the sound of static on a TV, or the hum of a fan).
Pink noise has more prominence in the lower frequencies, with the power decreasing by three decibels per octave; think the sound of rain or a waterfall.
Brown noise has significantly more power in the lowest frequencies, with the power decreasing by six decibels per octave; think the sound of rumbling thunder or a jet engine.
Green noise emphasizes the mid-range frequencies, often around 500 cycles per second, or hertz, (like a forest stream, rustling leaves, or ocean waves).
According to clinical audiologist Dr. Amy Sarow, who specializes in topics such as tinnitus, cochlear implants, hearing aid technology, and hearing testing, research is still growing when it comes to colored noise, but she says brown noise may help with concentration, pink noise may help with sleep, green noise may help with calming or relaxation, and white noise is quite good at drowning out the noise that filters in from your neighbors.
Blue and violet noises also exist, but the energy of their frequencies create more of a hissing sound, so they seem like a less popular option for a relaxing sound machine. A seventh colored noise, grey noise, falls on the spectrum, and it's a smoother version of white noise, where one sound almost melts into the next one.
A study conducted by Nanit, which uses personalized sleep tracking data to help benefit families, found that babies who have white noise playing sleep an average of two hours longer per night because the white noise creates a consistent sound environment that not only masks sudden, disruptive noises but also helps babies fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.
When you're in the sleep-depriving throes of figuring out wake windows and surviving the newborn stage with your twins, two extra hours of sleep for everybody every night is an incredible gamechanger.
The same is true if you're attempting to sleep train your twins.
Pick a color, any color
Which color of noise is best-suited for you and your household? Whether you ultimately opt for white, brown, pink, or green noise, there are plenty of sound machines out there that can help you create a peaceful and relaxing sleep environment for your twins and the rest of your family.
Here are four different sound machines that play different colored noise to help you and your little ones kick back and relax, whether you're sleeping, meditating, studying, or working.
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1. Rest+ Baby & Kids Sound Machine, 2nd Gen, by Hatch
White Noise
The Rest+ Baby & Kids Sound Machine by Hatch is a smart sleep assistant for your babies and kids. It's a white noise machine that has a built-in nightlight, and you can customize the light and sound combinations to keep your bedtime routine on track. This device has a Time-to-Rise alarm clock feature that indicates if it's still too early to get out of bed, and a Time-for-Bed feature that can alert your kids when it's naptime or bedtime. You can adjust settings and set schedules through the accompanying app, and you can control the volume or night light with easy access buttons on the machine.
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2. Alarm Clock, Sound Machine & Nightlight by Frida Baby
Pink Noise
This portable sound machine and nightlight by Frida Baby makes your bedtime routine super simple when you're on-the-go or traveling. It plays five soothing sounds, including shushing, a heartbeat, waves, nature sounds, and pink noise to lull your little ones to sleep. The nightlight has three different glow levels, so you can turn it up or down it as needed during overnight feeds. This portable sound machine comes with an adjustable strap, so it can be hooked on to strollers, car seats, and cribs. It also has a rechargeable battery with up to 15 hours of playtime (even while it's charging), making it a great tool to help your kids sleep wherever they may be during naptime or bedtime
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3. Sound Machine & Night Light by BrownNoise
Brown Noise
This sound machine plays 30 soothing sounds, including three different colors of noise (white, pink, and brown), two fan noises, 10 lullabies, and 15 natural sounds (rainfall, sea waves, and more). This lightweight device has a built-in nightlight with 12 different color options, and the lighting intensity can be adjusted for the sleep atmosphere you'd like to create. This compact machine has 36 volume levels, and it can play continuously or be set to automatically shut off after one, two, three, or four hours. Plus, it's got a memory function, so when it's turned on, it can remember the sound and volume level that were previously playing. It's a nice choice for use at home or traveling.
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4. Light to Rise Sleep Trainer, Sound Machine & Night Light by Yogasleep
Green Noise
The Light to Rise Sleep Trainer, Sound Machine & Nightlight by Yogasleep is a green noise machine that plays 30 soothing sounds, including Yogasleep's signature Dohm sound, fan sounds, nature sounds, and lullabies. It's designed with special light cues to help your children learn when it's time to go to sleep and when it's time to rise and shine for the day; in the morning, the light turns yellow when it's alright to play quietly, and it turns green when it's alright to leave the bedroom. It's got a programmable sleep timer, and you can set up custom sleep training schedules to optimize your bedtime and morning routines. An adjustable multicolor nightlight allows you to choose any color for your twins to fall asleep to, and the brightness can be adjusted with a tap at the top of the device.
Creating a cozy atmosphere
If you're a new parent or parent-to-be, or if you just like to relax, you've probably heard of it white noise and how beneficial it can be.
Beyond white noise, there are other colors of noise (brown, pink, and green) with different sound characteristics. Each colored noise sounds different and is determined by its spectral composition across audible frequencies.
Brown noise can help with concentration, while pink noise can help with sleep. Green noise can help with calming or relaxation, and white noise is good at drowning out noise from around your neighborhood.
There are plenty of sound machines available that can help you create a peaceful and relaxing sleep environment for your twins and the rest of your family.
Whether you opt for white, brown, pink, or green noise, colored noise can help you and your little ones relax and get into the zone, whether it's the work zone, the sleep zone, or the zen zone.
Do you use a sound machine in your home? Do you prefer white noise? Brown? Pink? Green? Let us know in the Comments section below or connect with us on Instagram to share your thoughts!
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