Expand Your Home with a White Noise Machine

**Our honesty policy: This post may contain affiliate links and I may be compensated if you make a purchase at no extra cost to you. Some are, some aren't--I do some comparison shopping. The important thing is you will know exactly what we are talking about. Drop a note/comment if you have any questions on the products as these are materials and tools we use on our own projects.

Almost two weeks ago we increased our family by 25%.

Whomever said babies cry softer after they are first born is flat wrong. This family came home from the hospital just before lunch time. Just a couple hours later, our three-day-old woke our almost three year old from her much-needed nap with her well developed set of lungs– to our dismay.

Sure, you can buy the house next door, just like in the original My Big Fat Greek Wedding. Or put in a new addition on the opposite side of the house. Sleep is not a guarantee and separating family for precious little sleep could be worth an extra mortgage payment or construction costs.*

Perhaps there is a cheaper way… by finding the right home device that makes your current abode work for you! Now we are the proud new owners of a Dohm white noise machine with only one week into this new family adventure.

What’s that noise?

A white noise machine is a device producing ambient sound used to create a noise blocking wall in an attempt to aid with sleep. There are other types of similar, but softer sounds: pink and brown noises, but the Dohm uses white noise.

The Dohm sound conditioner has a similar sound to other devices you already own. However, the Dohm white noise machine is made specifically for sound buffering. This unit is THE safe noise generating alternative to run all night. Don’t burn down your house by using a hair dryer or a space heater (even on “no heat” or the “fan only” settings, respectively). This white noise machine is a better option .

Simply plug in one Dohm white noise machine right by the door when unwanted noise could possibly wake up a little person. Unfortunately, you should not use one if you are the responsible adult on night duty. As nice as it would be to catch up on elusive sleep, you need to hear any cries for assistance.

Have Dohm, will travel

We purchased a Dohm white noise machine for our nephew over a year ago. His sleep challenges are legion! His exhausted parents experimented and utilized ad hoc methods that helped, but were not too practical over the long term. His very own Dohm came to the rescue…as well as a couple other sleep aides. While he outgrew the rest of the sleep aides, he continues to use the Dohm–to the point o turning it on himself! The results of a little boy’s usage are in: the Dohm white noice generator is a durable little machine. It has been thrown against a wall, used as a step stool, and made it through the TSA “white glove” treatment multiple times (oh yes, this unit travels wherever and whenever he goes).

We look forward to the same level of performance for our daughter and will probably buy another Dohm white noise machine for #2 in the coming years, or maybe in only a few days depending on when she gets her own room.

We have essentially soundproofed and expanded our house without lifting a finger construction wise. Since it is small and portable, it also expands the homes of friends and family when you travel. There are definitely other great reasons to buy a Dohm.

Consider buying one if you:

• Work overnight and need soundproofing for daytime outside noises.
• Have an extended hospital stay.
• Live in an apartment, condo or townhome, especially if your bedroom has a shared wall.
• Work in an office requiring extra privacy, R&D development in a quarantined area, etc.

The cost of the Dohm white noise machine is somewhat significant and there are other economical choices. The most popular alternatives are Android and Apple apps priced between free to $5. However, when you have a newborn your phone is your link to life outside of the house at any time of the day. Let’s be real–2 a.m. was about the time I started writing this blog post on a Google doc on my phone. Therefore, I willingly spent extra on a single task only machine (which I normally despise) and have everyone sleep better at night.

Some cautions to consider

While this is obviously a pro white noise machine post, to be fair, there is also research with different conclusions on the effects of white noise machines.

There are articles stating there are developmental delays possibly induced by noise machines over a certain decibel level:
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/133/4/677

There is other research with interesting findings on developmental delays as well as long term effects:
http://science.sciencemag.org/content/300/5618/498.long
The above article tests rat pups raised in a noise induced environment. Developmental delays were noted in the experimental rats. However, once the noise was removed the rats development accelerated and over time there was no long term effects.

And there are other articles finding a middle ground:
https://www.sciencenews.org/blog/growth-curve/should-you-hush-white-noise

Used wisely a white noise machine can aid with sleep. AKA–don’t strap the white noise machine to your infant’s head or hide it under the bed. However, limit the duration and wean yourself off of it as soon as possible. That is, once your sleep deprivation following the birth of a newborn seems like less of an issue or if you need to recharge sporadically.

Looking forward to MOAR sleep!

How long will we Dohm? Perhaps a year or two. Helping keep everyone asleep is best for my sanity and to maintain a happier family. We compromised on the noise level by using only the lower level (out of two) of our Dohm white noise machine. We also place it just outside of #1’s room with the door closed. The additional bonus is that her bedroom is between the master bedroom and the guest room, essentially separating three bedrooms.

Each of the two levels is also adjustable. Spin the Dohm either direction to adjust the sound to your desired tone.

If you intend to travel with it save 5.75″ x 3.5″ and 1.5 lbs in your bag.

If you’re not sleeping you certainly are not helping your brain function, much less grow. And when you don’t even take showers for days on end and cereal seems like a good option for every meal of the day, sleep is the only thing you desire. Having bought a Dohm white noise machine for a baby–twice–with spectacular results was more than enough to endorse this house expanding tool.

Merry sleeping to all and to all a good night!

You can check the Dohm out for yourself here.

Dohm white noise machine review update #1: The entire family has used it from time to time during odd naptimes when it is not already in use for the three year old.

Dohm white noise machine review update #2: We are now transitioning to a quieter setting as life is a bit more predictable at night.

Dohm white noise machine review update #3: As our firstborn turned three she became more possessive of the Dohm. She is in charge of turning it off in the morning and after nap time. Or when she decides to get out of bed before falling asleep for any number of reasons–one last potty, one last sip of water, she wants to play… Translation: I know she is coming when the Dohm is suddenly silenced. She may sound like an elephant on a pier and beam floor, but she can be as silent as a ninja on our tile floor on a slab foundation. The Dohm is her giveaway.

* When earplugs just won’t do and you don’t want to sleep in the master closet.