The Pros of White Noise for Baby

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Photo Credit: Baby Dream Machine

Babies are already used to white noise – afterall, the womb can be a noisy place with the reassuring echo of human life. Every day breathing and the beating of your heart, create a comforting sound somewhat akin to the hum of a vacuum.

After arrival, babies often find themselves in a world of hushing and quiet footsteps. All with good intentions, this curated silence can leave them feeling isolated, possibly anxious and inturn can lead to trouble sleeping.

Soothing background sounds help some babies get to sleep faster and stay asleep longer. Here’s what to know about white noise for your baby.

Is white noise okay for babies?

White noise machines create a comfortable, womb-like environment that calms infants. They are meant to be in the background, making it safe for babies from a health perspective. 

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends using a white noise machine set no louder than 50 decibels (about the sound level of a quiet dishwasher), so use a low volume setting and use a timer to stop playing it once your baby falls asleep. Follow common sense and your instincts – don’t put the noise machine or its cords within your baby’s reach. 

Should I worry about using a white noise machine? 

Some babies don’t like the sound of white noise, so you may have to rely on other ways to get your little one down. Others like it so much that they become dependent and may struggle with sound sleep without white noise in the background.

Buying and using a white noise machine

For safe sleep you do not want to buy anything with sound levels above 50 decibels, so before purchasing a white noise machine be sure you do your homework to ensure your little one’s safety.

White-noise machines are available online. But if you’re on a budget, you can produce white noise by running a fan. You also can pick up a low-cost, white noise-generating app such as White Noise Baby for your smartphone – also a perfect on-the-go option.

Once you’ve purchased your machine, you may have to adjust the volume on your white noise machine in order for it to effectively calm down your crying baby. After your little one has been soothed, adjust the volume to the level of a soft shower.

White noise sounds can be incredibly helpful during the difficult stages of your baby’s life, especially in the first few sleep-challenged months. Still, you don’t want to get into the habit of exposing your child to white noise all night, every night.

Final thoughts 

Babies aren’t born into sound sleep, it’s a skill they develop. A 24/7 white noise machine could get in the way of your baby learning to self-soothe. However, white noise can be a useful tool to help newborns and babies get the quality sleep they need.



How To Transition From A Crib To A Toddler Bed

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young girl sitting up in a toddler-sized bed, looking happy and well rested

Moving from crib to bed is yet another milestone in your toddler’s life. There’s no set time for when it’s best to switch your child from a crib to a toddler bed. However, little ones generally make the switch from crib to toddler bed any time between 18 months and 3 1/2 years old, ideally as close to age 3 as possible, according to guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

There are a few factors to consider before you make the transition – most important, making sure your child is developmentally ready for the move. If you notice your toddler doing any of the following, it’s likely time to make the switch.

Signs your child is ready to transition to a toddler bed

  • The AAP recommends transitioning a child out of a crib and into a toddler bed once the crib railing is lower than their chest. At that height, children are more easily able to climb out of the crib, which can lead to injury.
  • After they’re fully potty-trained at night. For many kids, potty training overnight comes after daytime potty training. But once they’re no longer wearing diapers or training paints to sleep, they’ll need easy access to a bathroom.
  • Once they’ve expressed interest in a big kid bed, that’s a good sign they’re cognitively and emotionally ready for the transition.
  • Make sure the transition to the toddler bed doesn’t coincide with any other big lifestyle changes, such as moving or bringing home a new baby.

In short, you will follow your toddler’s lead to determine when it’s time. For example, if your child hasn’t mastered the art of self-control and doesn’t understand the importance of staying in their bed or room at night, they may not be ready. When they are ready, here’s some advice to make the transition as smooth and positive as possible.

Tips for easing the transition to a toddler bed

  • Put the new bed in the same place your toddler’s crib used to be. Make sure your toddler’s bed is positioned away from any potential hazards that could lead to injury. Place the bed at least 2 feet from any windows, heating vents, radiators, wall lamps or window blind cords. It’s best to either avoid having blind cords in your child’s bedroom if possible or tack them high up and out of reach.
  • Get the right size bed and mattress. If you’re moving from a nonconvertible crib to a bed, you might be tempted to buy a twin bed that will last your child for years to come, but a toddler-specific bed is a better choice. It’s lower to the ground and the mattress is smaller, both of which make it easier for very young children ages 15 months and up to climb in and hop out without getting hurt. Toddler beds are also designed to be used with a full-sized crib mattress (so feel free to use the full-sized mattress from your child’s crib, if it’s still in good condition). The crib mattress should fit snugly — if you’re not sure whether it’s right, use the two-finger test. The mattress isn’t a good fit if you’re able to fit more than two fingers in between it and the bed. You can explore the Colgate Mattress® new CuddleSnooze® Crib Mattress Collection designed to gently lull baby into a cozy, sound and restful sleep throughout the infant and toddler years.
  • Make sure the toddler bed comes equipped with safety rails. Safety rails serve the purpose of stopping your child from rolling out of bed. Convertible cribs and toddler beds are required to have side rails at least 5 inches taller than the top of the mattress. If you’re using a bed without a built-in rail, be sure to install separate guardrails that are at least that tall.
  • Check that the hardware is firmly secured. Whether you’re converting your crib or buying something new, a thorough safety inspection is always a good idea. Confirm that hardware like bolts and screws are firmly secured and that the sides and slats have tight, sturdy joints.
  • Set physical boundaries. Late-night visits from your child might be inevitable at the beginning, but tell them that they need to stay in bed once the lights go out. If they try to escape a few times and call for you in the middle of the night, simply tell them everything’s okay, give them a kiss, and walk them back to bed. It might take a few tries, but they’ll catch on eventually.
  • Maintain your routine. The bed may change, but the bedtime routine doesn’t have to. Keep your nighttime routine consistent with how it was in the crib – bath, teeth brushing, books – so your child has a sense of familiarity and knows when they’re expected to settle in for the night.
  • Reward good behavior. If your child stays in their bed all night, tell them how proud you are of them so they’re inclined to do it again. It’s up to you whether you want to use prizes or other incentives to encourage good listening.

Now that your child has free reign of the house – don’t panic! But, you will need to review important home childproofing. Here are some more tips:

  • Make sure your child is comfortable. This might mean buying a new nightlight or leaving a light on in the hallway if they’re newly afraid of the dark or letting them sleep with a comfort object such a lovey or stuffed animal during the night.
  • Steer clear of electrical outlets. If you have to put the bed near an outlet, make sure nothing is plugged in and that the outlets have child-protected plugs in them to protect curious little fingers.
  • Install safety gates at the top and bottom of the stairs, lock all doors and windows, and anchor furniture that could topple over.
  • Keep unsafe items out of reach. This includes latching all drawers with cleaning products, medicine, and electrical items.

As with many aspects of parenting, there’s no way to predict how this transition to the bed will go. Once in a while it’s okay to bend the rules and let your child cuddle up in your bed. But it’s best to develop a plan and stick with it as often as possible. Your child will thrive on the consistency of a routine just as much as you will.

If your child is upset and doesn’t want to sleep in the new bed, don’t give up right away. Encourage your child to try out the bed. If they’re still distraught after a few days, bring the crib back without treating it like it’s a punishment, and try again in a few months.

Designing Your Dream Baby Nursery

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As you prepare for your little one to arrive, creating a comfortable, adorable and safe nursery for baby is at the top of your to-do list. As you begin to imagine a room for its sweet future occupant, remember to keep yourself in mind.

Although Colgate Mattress® is America’s Crib Mattress Specialist, we pride ourselves in ensuring that all of your bases are covered – not just when it comes to sleeping! Take a look at some of these tips from whattoexpect.com that will assist in not only meeting your baby’s comfort needs, but yours as well.

 

Nursery Baby Must-Haves: 

  1. Color: Choose colors that promote a calm, tranquil, and relaxing environment for your baby. Instead of picking traditional pink or blue, more parents are looking for colors that add a splash of style and serenity to baby’s room. With a little color insight and a can of paint, you can easily transform a bland nursery into a soothing sleep sanctuary. Try one of these five calming nursery colors and let a state of Zen wash over you and your baby.
  2. Music: Classical music is a great tool to assist in calming your little one down after a heavy cry.  On the other hand, up-beat nursery rhymes and tunes are perfect for playtime.
  3. Avoid clutter: Ensure your nursery has all of the essentials, but make sure there is enough floor space for crawling!

 

Nursery Parent Must-Haves: 

  1. Storage-Friendly Furniture: Invest in dressers that offer generous proportions, perfect for stashing excess wipes and diapers and more, like the pieces of furniture from our friends at Milk Street Baby, which include modern nursery features oversized drawers and a changer tray. The top drawer comes standard with LED drawer light that is motion sensitive and turns on automatically when you open the drawer and turns off after the drawer has been closed for 15 seconds to save power. 
  2. An Easy Changing Station: Milk Street Baby’s Changer Tray and Colgate Mattress’ 2-Sided Contour Changing Pad paired with a dresser offers the ideal place to change your baby. Their oversized tray has an underside covered with velvet so it will never scratch or mar the top of your dresser. The tray offers a convenient accessory compartment to keep needed items at arms-reach. If you have a combo changing table-dresser, use drawer dividers to organize smaller items like socks. 
  3. A Mom Station: You’ve probably already been eyeing a glider – after all, that is probably one of the most useful pieces of nursery furniture. While you continue to research possible gliders, don’t forget to consider these mom-station musts: 
    • Side table with small lamp
    • A burping cloth
    • Snack and drink for you
    • Your telephone that is bound to ring
  4. Back-Friendly Features: As you check out various models, ask yourself these back focused questions:
    • Is the glider contoured for back support?
    • Is the crib the right height for you?
    • Does the changing table hit between your hips and waist (it should)?
  5. Location, Location, Location: Once you have settled with furniture and accessories, make sure you have the right set up. 
    • The crib should be away from the door and the changing table should be close to the closet or dresser. 
    • The mom station? Set it up near the crib!

 

Designing a nursery can be a daunting task, but just remember nothing is permanent and you can always switch up the layout once you figure out what works best for you and your little one.

Top 3 Tips when Shopping for Baby Products

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By Lauren Mulenos, Colgate Mattress Brand Advocate & Guest Blogger

 

 

So you’ve already made the great decision to go with Colgate for your baby’s crib mattress. If you haven’t taken the plunge yet, here are 4 things to consider when buying a crib mattress and why to go with Colgate. Now what? You still need crib sheets, a crib, and more so, where to begin? You likely picked Colgate for its quality and standards, so it makes sense you’d desire similarly crafted products for everything else. But where to begin? Researching and acquiring baby necessities is like a full-time job; plus, words like “natural” and “nontoxic” aren’t regulated, making it hard to discern what to buy. 

 

First of all, go ahead and buy a couple Eco Cover-Organic Cotton Fitted Crib Mattress Covers to go with your Colgate bed. These are great to put on top of your mattress, before you put on your fitted sheet. Have at least one backup per mattress (I grabbed four total for my twins). This way you can change the sheets immediately without downtime, while the soiled one goes in the wash. After that, let’s get the rest of the nursery outfitted. Here are 3 tips to keep in mind when shopping for baby products, be it anything from cribs to clothes.

 

  • Read the label. I can’t stress this enough. Go to listed materials or fiber contents and see what it says. This will tell you exactly what is used in the product. If it is confusing or doesn’t list them, try reaching out to customer service. Typically if it isn’t listed, that is a red flag and means they don’t actually want you to know. Why not list it otherwise? They have nothing to lose if there isn’t an issue regarding materials! While it is a requirement to list fiber contents on clothing tags, this isn’t the case for all products and even sometimes websites don’t list the details.


  • Go for Natural Materials.* Man-made fibers may be great and are often cheaper, but look for natural fabrics like 100% cotton, 100% hemp, 100% wool. Common man made fibers are rayon, spandex, polyester, etc. There’s nothing inherently wrong with these, but natural fibers tend to be more breathable, have less chemicals, and cause less irritations. Baby skin is so sensitive, anything you can do to help, you should. This also applies to hard goods too. When you’re buying furniture looking for contents like  100% wood without any chemical finishes is best. Avoid plastic where you can.

 

*Once you choose natural fibers, some “nice to have” features are organic (GOTS Certified) and made in the U.S.A. Organic means there are less (harsh) chemicals on the products. Made in America products not only support local companies, but also ensure the highest standards in production since it can be more easily monitored versus overseas. Another call-out that is nice is “no flame retardants”. This has become increasingly important in mattresses (Colgate doesn’t use them!) and car seats.

 

  • Find Greenguard Gold Certified. This is a certification put on by UL, a company that has been around for over 100 years in the safety and security space. When something is Greenguard Gold Certified, it means that it has low chemical emissions, making your home (or wherever the product lives) better to be in. All products have Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), which often cause the air in your home to be worse than even the most polluted air outdoors. This is great to look for in all of your nursery furniture! Children’s lungs are so sensitive, and they often put things in their mouth that don’t go there, so these certifications offer a better sense of security and safety. For the record, Colgate is Greenguard Gold Certified AND CertiPUR Us certified safe.

 

Once you know these things, it is a lot easier to find products for your sweet babies. Well, maybe not easier, but at least you know what to rule out! Seek out companies (like Colgate) that implement the standards you desire. Whether they are a brand or retail store, you can often find companies that choose items within your quality level, which take out the guesswork and searching. Some of our favorites are Milk Street Baby, The Tot, and Maisonette. While some places may not carry items based solely on my recommendations above, they often have organic or more nontoxic collections within their product lines. Just look for it and you’ll likely find something in your style and budget. The more you know… Happy shopping!!

 

Lauren Mulenos is an expectant twin mom located in Los Angeles, California with a background in apparel merchandising and production. She runs the lifestyle blog LMents of Style where she discusses everything from fashion to travel, and now baby! You can keep with her and her twins on her Blog, Instagram, and YouTube channel.

Colgate Brand Advocate Program

If you are a blogger, photographer, nursery designer or simply a mom who loves to show off her little ones, please complete this form to be considered for a collaboration.

5 Tips To Organize Your Little Ones Room 

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Preparing for your new baby to come home is oh so exciting. However, baby-size stuff can make a big mess, really fast, and having clutter all over can add unnecessary stress to your new-mom life. Friends and family often shower you with so many amazing gifts that when it comes time to finally organize the nursery, you are in baby stuff overload! 

The secret to a functional, peaceful nursery is creating an organizational system that you will actually maintain. Below are five helpful tips for creating and keeping order as your little one grows.

1. Turn Walls Into Storage 

Take advantage of the height of the nursery wall to create instant storage space. Place items you won’t use often or want to keep out of baby’s reach on wall shelves or tall bookcases. And don’t forget overlooked areas like backs of doors. Consider adding an over-the-door shoe holder with clear pockets behind the nursery door and compartmentalize all the small stuff like tiny shoes or baby hats.  

2. Use Containers & Label Everything

Say yes to bins that can be hung and stored in drawers and give each one a specific category. Inside your closet you’ll want to use clear, stackable containers so you can see exactly what’s in them. Label them by size. Items that have daily or weekly use should be stored within arm’s reach while seasonal items or clothes your baby can’t wear yet don’t need to be in close reach. 

3. Maximize Closet Space

Make the most of baby’s closet by storing folded clothes in a hanging cloth shoe organizer. And since little outfits are short, you can double up on space if you install a double-hang closet rod. You might also consider installing shelves above and below a single rod and use them to store bins of books, toys and seasonal clothing.  

4. Buy Storage-Friendly Furniture

Invest in dressers that offer generous proportions, perfect for stashing excess wipes and diapers and more, like the pieces of furniture from our friends at Milk Street Baby. If you have a combo changing table-dresser, use drawer dividers to organize smaller items like socks. Storage benches are also great to stash bulky items like blankets and sweaters. 

5. Purge Frequently 

You need to manage both the inflow and outflow of odds and ends you’ll collect for baby. Every few months, separate baby’s clothes into three piles: what fits now, what baby can grow into soon and what’s been outgrown. Keep the first two piles in the nursery, placing the “fits now” group in an easy-to-access drawer or bin and tucking away the “grow into soon” items for future use. Put too-small clothes in a bin to sell, donate or give to a mommy friend. Do the same for toys and books periodically. A good rule of thumb is, if you haven’t used it in the last two to three months, you likely won’t be using it again.

 

Great storage will translate to a more organized and functional nursery, which in turn gives it a calm feeling. And that’s a feeling every mom could use a bit more of, after all.

New Parent Checklist: How To Baby-Proof Before Baby Comes Home

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When you bring your newborn home for the first time – between feedings, naps and sleep schedules – things are going to move quickly. So it’s very important to make sure the house is safely set up for their grand arrival. In fact, the best time for baby proofing your home is at least three months before your due date because some of these preparations may take time. 

To help you get started, here’s a list of general guidelines to keep in mind as you baby-proof your car, secure your home and prepare for emergencies. 

 

Baby-Proofing Your Car

  • Before your baby even gets to your house, they’ll have to ride in your car. Having the right car seat and installing it correctly is essential to keeping your baby safe. Install an approved rear-facing car seat in the back seat (in the middle, if possible) and get it inspected (for free!) by a local certified child passenger safety technician.
  • Clear the car of any small objects that could be choking hazards, such as coins and pens.
  • If the sun is strong where you live, consider applying stick-on sun shades to the back windows to block the rays.

 

Preparing The House

  • Put non-slip pads under all rugs and make sure rugs don’t have curling edges that you (or a growing child) can trip on.
  • Cover sharp furniture edges and corners with bumpers or safety padding.
  • Block all open outlets with furniture or use safety plugs.
  • Latch closed any drawers, doors or cupboards within baby’s reach.
  • If you plan to hook a highchair to your kitchen table, check that the table is sturdy and strong.
  • Get rid of any blinds or curtains with looped cords, or install safety tassels and cord stops to tuck away the cords.
  • Check your doorstops; many have removable caps that pose a choking hazard.
  • Unplug and store electric appliances whenever they aren’t in use (iron, curling iron, etc.)
  • Make sure all of your houseplants are non-toxic varieties. Some plants are extremely poisonous.
  • Get any flaking or peeling paint sealed or removed by a professional, especially if your home was built before 1978 when it was more likely to have lead-based paint. Dust from lead paint, which was banned from residential use in that year, can be harmful if ingested.

  • Install a UL certified carbon monoxide detector on every story of your house if you use gas or oil appliances or have an attached garage. 

  • Install smoke detectors on every level of your home and in the hallways outside of bedrooms.
  • Test the batteries of any detectors you already have.
  • Install a temperature guard on your water heater at a maximum of 120 degrees Fahrenheit (48 degrees Celsius).
  • Purchase a fire extinguisher and learn how to use it.
  • Purchase a baby first aid kit, which is important to have at home so that, in case of an emergency, no one has to run out to the store and waste valuable time to get supplies.
  • Add emergency contacts and medical information to your phone that can be accessed even in lock mode.
  • Place a list of emergency numbers within easy access near a landline phone or on the refrigerator.
  • Make sure your home or apartment number is easy to see so fire or rescue can locate you quickly in an emergency.

 

Creating A Safe Sleep Environment

  • Finish all painting and wallpapering at least eight weeks before baby is expected to avoid exposing baby to any potentially harmful fumes.
  • Secure any dressers and bookshelves to the wall with screws, and pull the crib away from any other furniture. 
  • If the crib is near a window, remove pull cords or use cord shorteners on window dressings. Those curious little arms like to reach out and cords can so easily get wrapped around your precious little one.
  • Use a firm, flat mattress in a safety-approved crib. Soft mattresses can create a pocket (or indentation) and increase the chance of rebreathing or suffocation if the infant is placed in or rolls over to the prone (face down) position. Also, a solid mattress base provides the resistance necessary for developing and strengthening muscles. 
  • Keep soft objects and loose bedding away from baby’s sleep area. Do not use bumpers, comforters, pillows, blankets and toys in the crib to reduce the risk of SIDS and suffocation. 

 

Your newborn baby will spend most of its time at home and in your car, and you’d be surprised at how easy it is for a baby to get into trouble. The first step in baby safety is making sure both of these places are completely safe for your newborn!