As a parent, we know all too well that there’s nothing more frustrating than finally getting your baby to sleep well. Only for it to all fall apart literally overnight. Suddenly, your baby starts waking up, fighting naps, and begins crying when it’s bedtime.
This is called baby sleep regression and it is very real. Here’s the good news though - it’s temporary and there are things you can do which will help your baby sleep better during this phase.
In this article, we will explain exactly what baby sleep regression is. We will explain the reason it happens and the difference you’ll experience when using white noise for sleeping. We will also show you why Zello is the best UK white noise machine, particularly in baby’s nursery.
What Is Baby Sleep Regression?
Sleep regression is a period of time when your little one, who was sleeping well, starts waking more often for no reason. They may struggle to fall asleep, or even skips naps altogether. This is a normal part of baby’s development although it feels like a step backward.
Read more about baby's sleep cycle cycles.
When Does Sleep Regression Happen?
Typically, sleep regressions often show up approximately at:
- 4 months: When baby’s sleep cycles mature.
- 6-8 months: When teething starts, they’re crawling, or separation anxiety begins.
- 10-12 months: When they’re learning to stand or walk.
- 18 months -2 years: Talking, tantrums, and fear of missing out are the main reasons.
These regressions can last from a few days to a few weeks. But don’t worry, this phase passes.
One of the best things parents can do during regressions is to avoid making big reactive changes to how baby falls asleep. This is where white noise can offer consistency even when sleep itself is disrupted.
Why Does Sleep Regression Happen?
Because babies are growing and learning all the time, big changes affect sleep. Here are some common causes:
- New milestones: Rolling, crawling and standing.
- Mental leaps: Brain development and increased awareness.
- Separation anxiety: Your baby realizes you’re not always nearby or in clear sight.
- Disruptions in routine: Traveling, illness, or a new, strange environment.
Even though regressions are totally natural, they’re still exhausting. This is why it's important for you to create a calm, sleep-friendly environment. One of the simplest ways to do that is with white noise.
How White Noise Helps Babies Sleep Better
When we talk about white noise sound, we mean a soothing, constant noise that masks other sounds. It can be like the rustle of leaves, the hum of a fan or gentle rain. This white noise is comforting for baby because it imitates the sounds they heard in the womb. Here’s why white noise for sleeping is so successful and effective:
1. It Blocks Out Any Distractions
Babies are light sleepers. Siblings shouting, dogs barking, or the doorbell ringing can all wake them up. A white noise machine will create a sound blanket to help block all that out.
2. It Calms an Overstimulated Brain
During sleep regression, babies can be overstimulated and overtired. White noise helps their brains calm down so they can fall asleep easier.
3. It Helps Babies Sleep Longer
All babies wake briefly between sleep cycles. If it's too quiet, those tiny wakeups can turn into full wide awake situations. The white noise sound helps baby drift back to sleep instead.
4. It Builds a Sleep Routine
By using a white noise machine each night, this becomes part of your baby’s bedtime routine, sending a clear signal that it’s time to rest.
I often describe white noise as the sleep cue that doesn’t rely on you. Unlike feeding or rocking, it doesn’t require your presence and teaches your baby to rely on environmental signals for sleep.
Read more here about how white noise can help your baby sleep.
The Best White Noise Machine for Sleeping
There are a number of white noise machines on the market - but not all of them are created equally. Some tend to loop short sound clips that repeat every 20 seconds which can actually wake your baby. Others can be too quiet or too loud, or not designed with little ones in mind.
That’s why parents love Zello, a brand which is made specifically for baby sleep.
Why Zello Is the Best Nursery White Noise Machine
✔️ Plays Continuously All Night
Some machines cut out after a set period, such as 30 or 60 minutes, if the machine doesn’t offer a continuous play option. This means that when your baby finally gets into a deep sleep, the soothing white noise sound disappears, waking baby up. Zello avoids this issue completely by offering non-looping, uninterrupted playback. It lasts the whole night, or nap duration, creating a stable and secure sleep environment.
✔️ Designed for Nurseries
Zello has been made with parents and babies in mind. With a sleek, modern look, it blends beautifully into any nursery decor, while its soft edges and durable build make it safe and stylish.
✔️ Safe Sound Levels for Baby Ears
Zello’s volume settings have been carefully designed to stay within pediatrician-recommended sound levels - they are safe for even the youngest ears. While many machines can become too loud or too quiet, Zello hits the sweet spot by offering the right level of calming sound to promote better, healthier sleep without risking hearing damage.
✔️ Portable and Rechargeable for On-the-Go Sleep
Whether you're at home, out on a walk, in the car, or traveling overnight, Zello is ready for you. Its compact, cordless design means there’s no batteries to fuss with and no issue of being tied to a wall outlet. Simply charge it and toss it in your diaper bag for sleep support at any time and anywhere, perfect for naps on the go or hotel-room bedtimes. Check out our portable white noise machines.
✔️ Soothing, High-Quality Sound Options
Zello offers a large range of gentle, high-fidelity white noise sounds which have been designed to calm babies and encourage them to sleep longer and deeper. These are realistic, non-jarring audio tracks which mimic womb-like comfort, with no harsh tones or irritating loops, just smooth, soothing sound to help your baby drift off into slumber.
I recommend Zello machines specifically because they meet all the practical and safety standards Iook for when working with families. They’re a reliable tool, not a gimmick.
Why You Should Avoid White Noise YouTube Videos
We understand you may be tempted to access white noise on YouTube, as opposed to buying a machine. But here’s why it’s not a good idea:
1. Ads Can Ruin Everything
Even if you do find a long white noise video, an ad can pop up right in the middle. So baby finally falls asleep and then suddenly wakes when they hear a loud advert- not good!
2. Looping Noises
The majority of YouTube white noise videos tend to loop short clips, with breaks or changes in sound that could disturb baby’s sleep.
3. Unsafe Screen Exposure
By using a phone or tablet close to your baby, this means exposing them to screen light and EMFs. We know that’s something most sleep experts recommend avoiding.
4. Poor Sound Quality
Phone speakers aren’t designed for sleep support. The sound lacks the richness and the depth that a quality white noise machine like Zello provides.
YouTube is for videos, not baby sleep. If you are searching for real results, then get the right tools in place.
How to Use Zello White Noise Machines the Right Way
Here’s how to get the most from your Zello white noise machine:
1. Use It Every Night and Nap
You should turn it on as part of your sleep routine and be sure to keep it running during the entire nap time or at night for best results.
2. Place It Safely
Place your Zello machine about 6 to 7 feet away from baby’s cot.
3. Set the Right Volume
The volume should be loud enough to block out any background noise, but no louder than a soft shower, so under 50 decibels..
4. Don’t Turn It Off Too Soon
Some parents shut the machine off once the baby falls asleep. But but be mindful that babies wake briefly between sleep cycles. So it's best practice to keep your machine on all night. It can then help them fall back to sleep smoothly if they wake up in the night.
5. Make It a Habit
Like any sleep tools, consistency is the word. The more you use it, the more it becomes part of baby’s sleep comfort system.
Read more about creating the perfect sleep space.
What Results Can You Expect?
Here’s what parents who use Zello report:
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Babies are falling asleep faster
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Longer daytime naps
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Fewer wakeup times during the night
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Happier mornings
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More restful sleep for everyone in the house
If you’re consistent with how you use white noise, it can quickly become your baby’s strongest sleep association making sleep smoother, even when development disrupts the rest.
Tips for Surviving Sleep Regression
White noise works best as part of a regular, healthy sleep routine. Here are a few tips:
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Stick to the same bedtime each night.
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Keep baby’s room dark and calm.
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Use a sleep sack or swaddle.
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Watch for sleepy cues, so as not to let your baby become overtired.
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Stay calm and patient – this phase won’t last forever.
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Your white noise machine should be used for every nap, every night.
Make White Noise Part of Your Sleep Toolkit
Baby sleep regressions are tough, but by using a high-quality white noise machine like Zello. Your baby gets the calm and comfort they need to sleep better. And it can help you and your baby through those tough phases like sleep regression.
It’s so easy to use, completely safe for babies, and gentle on the ears. Best of all, it’s effective. So it’s time to skip those white noise YouTube videos, keep away from low-quality machines, and select a brand that understands baby sleep.
To sum up, Zello is so much more than a sound machine - it’s a sleep solution. Show our range of bestselling white noise machines here.
