Remember those days of getting sleep or going to the store without someone screaming in your face? Sleep and a peaceful trip to the store may be in your grasp if you consider getting a baby soother/sound machine.
Soothing sounds are scientifically proven to help calm fussy babies and help babies and small children relax and fall asleep faster.
Some have many features that will not only help your baby relax but will keep your baby entertained as well.
We at kidsplayandcreate.com did research, read hundreds of reviews, and spoke with parents to find the seven best baby soothers/sound machines on the market today.
Now, we can’t promise a miracle, and what works for one baby may not work for another, but we can say that our list has the highest-rated soothers/sound machines available.
Cloud B Peaceful Panda Baby Soother
Cloud B Peaceful Panda
This adorable stuffed soother by Cloud b comes in six animals: Natural Owl, Bubbly Bunny, Frankie the Fox, Gentle Giraffe, Marvin the Monkey, or Sleep Sheep.
This soother in whichever animal you choose was a real hit among parents and caregivers.
It won many industry awards, including the National Parenting Council’s Seal of Approval and the iParenting Media Award.
Cloud B Peaceful Panda soother plays eight soothing sounds and melodies, including a classical lullaby, heartbeat(womb sounds), water and jungle sounds, crickets chirping and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, and Rock-a-Bye Baby (songs may differ between animals).
It has two timer options of 23 or 45 minutes and volume control.
It is easy to clean and machine washable.
Remove the inside box that holds the batteries and plays music, then throw it in the washing machine on the gentle cycle.
This soother easily attaches to most cribs using the Velcro tab. Because it is cute and cuddly and plays such soothing music, it makes our list a must-have in baby soothers.
Features
Six other animals to choose from: Frankie the Fox, Natural Owl, Bubbly Bunny, Gentle Giraffe, Marvin the Monkey, or Sleep Sheep
It plays eight soothing melodies or lullabies (songs may differ between animals).
Music timer and volume control.
Machine Washable
BPA, Phthalate, Latex, and Lead-free
Item weight 1 pound
Dimensions 9.6 x 8.2 x 7.1 inches
Requires 2 AA batteries (included)
This on-the-go soother has a Velcro strap that allows you to attach it easily to strollers, infant carriers, or car seats.
It’s easy to use; just push a button to hear one of the four soothing sounds, including gentle streams, spring showers, ocean waves, or harmonious whales. The sounds automatically stop after 23 or 45 minutes you can also control the volume.
Features:
- Compact Size only 8” inches
- Great for on-the-go and road trips
- Soft and cuddly
- Choose from Sleep Sheep or Gentle Giraffe
- Plays four soothing sounds, including Sleep Sheep: Harmonious Whales, Ocean Waves, Spring Showers, and Gentle Stream; Gentle Giraffe Safari Groove, Victoria Falls, Jungle Trails, and Babbling Brook
- Velcro strap behind its head to easily attach it to stroller, car seat, infant carriers, diaper bags
- Requires 2 AA batteries that are included
Baby Einstein Sea Dreams Soother
It plays a variety of soothing sounds and has an underwater light effect and moving characters, which will keep the baby entertained yet relaxed.
It has four modes of play, allowing you to select combinations of sounds, lights, and motions to soothe your baby. One of the great features of this soother is the drift-off feature.
The drift-off feature gradually softens music and dims lights every 10 minutes to help the baby drift off to sleep. It even comes with a remote control, so you can control it without fully entering the baby’s room; the remote works up to 15 ft away.
This soother has an adjustable strap that makes it easy to attach to most cribs. As your baby grows, you can keep this soother as a bedside toddler nightlight and soother.
Features
- Soothing lights, sound, and motion
- Four modes of operation to choose from; melodies, lights, motion; melodies only; ocean sounds, lights, and motion or just ocean sounds
- 25 minutes of continuous play
- Drift-off feature: sounds will soften, and lights will dim every 10 minutes to help the baby drift off to sleep
- Adjustable to make it easy to attach to most cribs
- Bedside soother and nightlight for toddlers
- 2.2 pounds
- Dimensions 10.2x 3.2x 11.4 inches
- Requires 4 C batteries
Fisher-Price Soothe and Glow Seahorse
After 15 minutes of play, the music and soft light that glows from the seahorse’s chest fade. With another hug from the baby, the seahorse turns back on.
This is a great way to introduce babies to cause and effect. If you want the music to turn off earlier, simply press and hold the giraffe’s tummy until the music stops.
Features
- Plays eight different lullabies
- It has a soft light that glows from the seahorse’s chest
- It plays 15 minutes of continuous music and glowing light
- Activated by a soft hug from baby
- Introduces cause and effect
- Helps baby learn to self-soothe
- Requires 2 AA batteries (included)
- Dimensions 5 x 4.7 x 11inches
Summer Infant Slumber Buddies Projection and Melodies Soother Eddie Elephant
There are five characters to choose from Bella the Butterfly, Betty the Bee, Dozing Hippo, Laura the Lamb, and Eddie the Elephant.
These soft plush toys project a calming starry sky on the walls and ceiling in blue, green, or amber, which is a great way to keep the baby entertained and also great for that small child afraid of the dark.
They also play five soothing sounds, including Hush Little Baby, Braham’s Lullaby, Frolic Rhodes, Babbling Brook, or Heartbeat, to help your baby, toddler, or small child relax and fall asleep.
You can set the time to play music for 15, 30, or 45 minutes and choose from 3 levels of volume.
Features
- Choose from 5 different characters, including Bella Butterfly, Betty the Bee, Dozing Hippo, Laura the Lamb, and Eddie the Elephant.
- Project lights onto the wall and ceiling in blue, green, or amber
- Plays five soothing songs, including Braham’s Lullaby, Hush Little Baby, Frolic Rhodes, Babbling Brook, and heartbeat
- Has a timer; you can set it for 15, 30 or 45 minutes
- Great for babies, toddlers, or small children
- Helps soothe children that are afraid of the dark
- Requires 3 AA batteries
- Weight 1 pound
- Dimensions 12.9 x 8.3 x 7.8 inches
VTech Baby Lil’ Critters Soothe and Surprise Light Polar Bear
VTech Baby Lil’ Critters Soothing Starlight Polar Bear Nursery Projector
With so many great features, this VTech baby soother is a great choice when deciding which crib soother to purchase. It has a colorful design and displays cute forest friends.
It can easily attach to most cribs. This baby soother plays over 65 lullabies, songs, melodies or nature sounds.
You can set the music to play for 10, 20, or 30 minutes. Another great feature is the built-in sensor that activates the soother and plays music when your baby starts to cry.
So when the baby starts to cry, you won’t have to rush in to turn it on again; simply wait for the music to play. It also has a projector that shines calming images onto the ceiling to engage and help soothe the baby. This soother also has a built-in crib light that creates ten glowing patterns.
Features
- Cute and colorful design
- Plays over five lullabies, melodies, and nature sounds
- Has a crib light that displays 10 glowing patterns
- Timer
- A built-in sensor that activates by playing music if the baby starts to cry
- It has a projector that displays calming images on the ceiling
- Weight 1.7 pounds
- Dimensions 2.8×10.4×7.7 inches
- Recommended ages birth-2
- Requires 4 AA batteries that are included
Baby Shusher- The Soothing Sleep Miracle for Babies
Baby Shusher – The Soothing Sleep Miracle for Babies
This is a must-have product for parents or caregivers of fussy babies. It got excellent reviews online and from parents, we spoke to.
This baby shusher was designed to soothe the baby and make him or her fall asleep faster.
It uses a technique from the book the Happiest Baby on the Block. The baby shusher incorporates loud, rhythmic shushing noises used in ancient practices.
The rhythmic shush reminds babies about being inside the womb, where they hear loud sounds, blood flow, and other in-utero noises.
Made to be used at home or on the go, you can take it anywhere to help with a fussy baby.
You can put the shusher on time for 15 or 30 minutes. The shusher sound must be louder than your baby’s cry to work properly. The volume control allows you to adjust the volume according to the baby’s cry.
Features
- Loud rhythmic shushing noises that calm the baby and remind him/her of being in the womb
- Built-in timer for 15 or 30 minutes
- Volume control so you can adjust it to the sound of the baby’s cry
- Recommended for ages birth and up
- Small and compact, great for at home or on the go
- Includes strap so you can easily attach it to a stroller, diaper bag, or infant carrier
- BPA free
- Requires 2AA batteries, not included
- Weight 3.2 ounces
- Dimensions 2.3 x 2.3 x 5 inches
Benefits of using a Baby Soother and Sound Machine
A baby soother/sound machine may help relax your baby and help them fall asleep faster and easier.
The music/sounds they play can help block out some household noise that may cause the baby to fuss, such as other kids playing, and outside noise, such as traffic or people on the street.
They can help block out noise from people talking and doing household chores.
Many soothers/sound machines play heartbeat or in-utero sounds that remind babies of being in the womb. This may also help relax and calm your baby.
Many baby soothers/sound machines have other features besides music and natural sounds. Some have projection lights, which display colors or images on ceilings and walls.
Others have colorful displays, and some even have moving characters. These features may help entertain the baby and keep him/her from crying.
Remember that every baby is different; what may work for one will not work for all. If you have difficulty getting the baby to relax and fall asleep, speak to your baby’s pediatrician and try a soother or sound machine.
What is the Best Baby Soother and Sound Machine for a Fussy Baby?
Again, each baby is different, and what may work for one may not work for another. And if you feel your baby is extra fussy, contact your pediatrician. After reading hundreds of reviews and speaking to parents, the Baby Shusher- The Soothing Sleep Miracle for Babies was hands down the highest recommended soother for fussy babies. It was noted that to get the best results, the baby shusher must play louder than your baby’s cry. Parents were calling it the miracle device.
Who Can Benefit from Baby Soother and Sound Machines?
Toddlers
Let’s face it, as your baby grows into a toddler, they may still struggle with relaxing and falling asleep. I know mine did. Baby soothers/sound machines are great for toddlers.
Some, like the Summer Infant Slumber Buddies Project and Melodies Soother, which plays music and projects lights on the ceiling and walls, and the Baby Einstein Sea Dreams Soother, which can turn into a beside nightlight, are perfect for toddlers.
Not only do they play soothing music, but they also project light, which is great for toddlers or small children who are afraid of the dark.
Giving toddlers a cuddly soother such as the Fisher-Price Soothe and Glow Giraffe to sleep with may give them the extra comfort they need to self-soothe and fall asleep.
Pets
many people we spoke to use soothers and sound machines for young puppies or older dogs with anxiety. Sometimes puppies or older dogs get anxious or nervous.
Many believe that letting them listen to a mother’s heartbeat for womb sounds calms them and makes them feel more relaxed and comfortable. Try using Cloud b Sleep Sheep Baby Soother or the Baby Shusher- The Soothing Sleep Miracle for Babies.
Are Baby Soothers and Sound Machines Good Baby Shower Gifts?
Yes, baby soothers and sound machines are often left off baby registries. However, they are great to have and make excellent gifts. Most people think of pacifiers as a way to soothe babies and don’t think about baby soothers or sound machines until it’s 2:00 AM and you can’t calm your screaming baby. I did not use pacifiers with my little ones; I didn’t want to deal with them screaming and crying when it was time to take them away. I found that music was a great way to calm her down. Sound machines and baby soothers were not on my registry; however, I was lucky to receive one at my baby shower. So yes, I think it is a great gift.
We hope you enjoyed the list of the best baby soothers/sound machines. We hope that you find one that best suits your baby’s needs. If you use a baby soother/sound machine that is not on our list but you think it should be, please tell us about it at kidsplayandcreate@gmail.com
