Insanely easy ways to soundproof a baby room
Babies are wonderful, but they do make a lot of noise sometimes, and they are sensitive to noises themselves. Do you worry that noises around your home are disturbing your baby’s sleep? Do you always feel the need to whisper? Do you worry that your baby’s crying might disturb a neighbor?
This is common for parents with newborns and can be stressful for all involved. If your baby isn’t sleeping, or other family members aren’t, any challenges you face will be magnified.
But luckily there are ways to remedy these issues.
There are several simple strategies to soundproof a baby room – both from noise outside and from the crying noises inside.
Below I’ll go through the most popular strategies and address what you need to achieve them.
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Who is this article for and why do you need it?
This article is designed to help parents or relatives of newborns.
Do you want your baby to sleep better?
Are you worried that your baby’s crying is disturbing the neighbors or other members of the household?
If you are, then you will find strategies and relief below.
The strategies outlined below will help control the sounds coming in and leaving your baby’s room – so regardless of your concern, you’ll be covered.
What are the strategies for soundproofing a baby’s room?
There are a few ways to consider this project: you may want to dampen sounds in (and leaving) your baby’s room, you may want to dampen sounds getting into your baby’s room, or it may be a mix of both.
Keep in mind that it is not just about “blocking” sounds coming and going from the room.
It’s also about the room itself and how it handles sound.
If the room only includes a crib and little else, the sounds will likely echo and feel magnified.
Hey, quick one. If you intend to start a soundproofing project soon, check out our Best Materials for Soundproofing post to get a headstart. Most projects require similar materials, so this post will save you a ton of time researching.
Quieting the baby room itself
When your baby won’t stop crying, the last thing you want is for the room to act as an echo chamber, magnifying or spreading the noise. What can you do to prevent that?
- Adding items to the room can help absorb any sounds inside of it and make it quieter
- An empty room is a noisy room. But adding padded furniture such as couches or pillows will immediately help dampen the noise because these items absorb sound. Carpeting, curtains, and throw rugs help as well. Plants and other decorations will make a difference as well
- A white noise machine can help dampen the baby sounds. You can place it near the door to help absorb the noises before they get out into the hall. Many of these devices can be controlled from your smartphone and can be turned up and down, have multiple sound types, and can be set on timers
Preventing sounds from entering or leaving the room
You might have loud neighbors or family members, or you may not want your baby’s sounds disturbing those same people. You might live near a loud street or park. There are several strategies to help prevent sounds entering the baby’s room or leaving it.
- Hang blankets on the walls and doors to absorb sounds
- Specialized sound panels can be added to the ceiling or walls to absorb noise
- Blackout and sound insulation curtains can protect the room from traffic and other noises outside.
- Door wraps can help cut down on noise transmission
- A white noise machine works in this capacity too and helps dampen any outside noise, which might otherwise disturb the baby’s sleep
- A specialized baby hat can help block out noises while in the room or anywhere you go
- Move the crib to a quiet side of the room that doesn’t adjoin another bedroom
Where can I find materials to help me soundproof a baby room?
There are many items that you can make use of to soundproof a baby room, at the same time paying close attention to his or her safety and comfort. I have personally tried out several of these items throughout the house and they worked well for me and my family.
Hatch Baby Rest Sound Machine, Night Light and Time-to-Rise
- This combines nightlight, sound machine, and time-to-rise alert in one easy-to-use device that you can control from your phone.
- Customize your color, brightness, sound, and volume level.
- Set programs to turn off and on automatically based on your family’s sleep schedule.
- This can be programmed to turn on automatically, or can be adjusted remotely via phone.
- Choose from preset sound and color combinations recommended by sleep experts.
Douni Sleep Sound Machine
- Douni white noise sound machine has 24 total sounds in three different categories.
- Features stylish wood grain finish to match any decor at nursery room
- Fits easily into your backpack or suitcase and makes it great for travel
- The sleep sound machine features a time and remembers your last settings of the timer, sound, and volume level when you next turn it on.
Hush Baby Hat with SoftSound Technology and Medical Grade Sound Absorbing Foam
- Perfect for everyday use or naps in a loud setting
- Crafted with medical grade sound-absorbing foam and ultra-soft materials
- Reduces noise and is comfortable
- Filters noise levels that are dangerous to your baby’s developing ears
- It’s too cute to pass up!
Unique Loom Solo Solid Shag Collection Modern Plush Cloud Gray Area Rug
- Amazon’s Choice
- Kid and pet friendly
- Water resistant, mold and mildew resistant, stain resistant, and does not shed – all important when feeding and cleaning a newborn!
Art3d Plant Fiber Textured 3D Wall Panels
- Made out of plant fiber, environmental-friendly, 100% recyclable
- Easy to hang and install with simple glue or other methods.
- Can be used in the nursery or surrounding rooms such as living room, bedroom, kitchen room, near a hanging TV background etc.
- Cuts down on echo and interior sound
Somide Moving and Soundbarrier blanket
- You can attach blankets such as this one to walls or doors to create an additional sound barrier
- Machine washable many times so you can keep it clean.
- Multi-purpose: Moving and Sound Barriers, and more
Acoustic Foam
- Amazon’s Choice!
- Good Sound Absorption Characteristics; cuts down on ambient sound, absorbs baby crying sounds etc.
- Cost effective and very lightweight
- Easy to install
- Specially designed, opened cell, flame retardant foam in a convoluted “egg crate” pattern.
- Helps absorb a mix of sounds
RYB HOME Full Blackout Curtains with Felt Fabric Liner for Sound Insulation
- Detachable felt fabric liner is in the middle of the 3 layers. Maximum absorb the annoying noise and create a peaceful environment.
- Triple weave blackout fabric & 3 layers design
- Balance room temperature by insulating against summer heat and winter chill
- Easy to install and maintain. Detach the felt liner before machine wash. Tumble dry low.
Suptikes 2 Pack Door Draft Stopper
- Most modern doors are hollow and do very little to prevent sound transmittal.
- This door bottom seal has two layers of sealer
- Easy to install
- Stops the noise coming in under the door.
Door Insulation and Soundproofing Tape
If you have gaps beyond just the bottom of the door, you can wrap parts or all of the door in this tape
Strong adhesive backing, waterproof
Easy enough to customize and cut to size with scissors or blade, and bend easily and conform to any shape
So, there you have it, a number of strategies to absorb, minimize, and block sounds to protect your baby (and those around you).
As is common with projects like these, a number of questions often come up. Do you have some yourself?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is it expensive to soundproof a room?
Not at all. You choose your level of investment. Many of the items linked above are relatively inexpensive and you do not need to do all of them. Choose the ones that sound best for you and start there.
How much time will it take? Do I need to hire someone?
- Several of these items (baby hat, white noise machine, rugs) are ready right out of the box, and require no time at all.
- Others require just a little of work. Hanging panels, blankets, or curtains, are all relatively simple home projects and should require an hour or less.
Is white noise safe for babies?
- Studies have shown that babies sleep better with white noise
- Keep the volume at a comfortable setting for you and your baby. The maximum setting on these machines is almost certainly TOO high.
- Don’t place the machine right next to the baby. Keep it at least 7 feet away. You may wish to place it near the door to help muffle sounds coming from the nursery. If you do that, just be sure to have a good baby monitor in case you don’t hear the baby crying as a result of the noise machine.
How to soundproof a baby room: Conclusion
Helping your baby and your family rest will do wonders for you and your family.
These items mentioned above are available on Amazon and if you order 2-3 of them at a time, shipping is free right to your door for a good night’s sleep very soon.
Did you try out any of these methods? Let me know which one worked for you!
Additional reading: