Pink noise and brown noise for babies — the softer alternatives to white noise
Same masking, less hiss. Pink and brown noise put more of the energy in the low frequencies, which many babies (and parents) find easier to sleep next to.
Free · Android · no subscription- Pink noise
- Brown noise
- White noise
- Waterfall
- Rain
- in the app
What the colours mean
White noise spreads its energy evenly across every frequency, so the treble is as loud as the bass — it sounds like static. Pink noise loses energy as the pitch rises, which is close to how the ear perceives loudness, so it sounds balanced and natural: steady rain, wind in trees. Brown noise falls off faster still and sounds like a low rumble or a waterfall heard from a distance.
Which one for a baby?
There is no single answer, and the studies on colour differences are small. What parents report is consistent, though: a baby who startles at white noise often settles to pink, and brown noise is the one to try when a low hum — a fan, a car engine — is what already works.
Whichever colour you pick, the safety rules are the same: at or below 50 dB at the crib, speaker 7 feet away, for sleep rather than all day.
FAQ
Pink & brown noise: questions parents ask
Is pink noise better than white noise for babies?
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Not universally. Pink noise is softer on the ear because it has less treble, so it is worth trying if white noise sounds harsh. Both mask sudden sounds equally well at the same volume.
Is brown noise safe for babies?
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Yes at a safe volume. Brown noise is low-frequency, which can feel louder in a small room, so check it at the crib with a sound-meter app and keep it at or below 50 dB.
Does the noise loop without a gap?
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Yes. Every sound in Little Napper is prepared for gapless looping, so there is no click or pause at the end of the file.
More sound guides
Pink & brown noise tonight, in one tap.
Free on Google Play. Works offline, plays with the screen off, fades out on the timer.