Digestives?
There are so many things I love that it is hard to choose sometimes. For instance, I am tempted to tell you about Josh’s inspired chocolate-covered digestive biscuits with a thin layer of peanut butter on top…but that only really applies to my fellow UK pals, so I’ll leave it at that.
No, my other passion…
I think I’m going to tell you about something I really believe in. It has been a part of my life for several years and helps with work and relaxation. Yes, friends, I am talking about white noise and white noise generators. Those of you who really know me know that I am a huge proponent of white noise- almost embarrassingly so.
It all started here.
It all started when we had Rebekah. Sure, Josh’s occasional heavy breathing or snore would startle me awake at times, but I was usually able to wiggle around just enough to stir him into another position and then go back to sleep. Sneaky, I know. 
But when we had Rebekah, I experienced a lot of anxiety post-partum depression that kept me from sleeping. Even after she started sleeping through the night, I would lie awake listening to tiny noises or in anticipation of her waking up. So, we started using white noise. We were still able to hear important sounds (such as Rebekah waking up and needing us), but it enabled me to fall asleep without worrying about it. Plus, if she woke up early talking quietly to herself, I didn’t immediately have to wake up.
For the kids’ rooms
Once noise started to become a problem for Rebekah, who as my best friend, Shannon describes, “She can hear carpet crunch”, we took advantage of white noise in her room, too. It was especially helpful when Luke was born and he was waking up at all hours of the night- we didn’t have to worry about Rebekah waking up, too. I really couldn’t handle both of them crying at 3am. As it is, both my kids love their sound machines. Rebekah will remind me to turn it on, and Luke loves to play with the various nature sounds on his.
p.s. They do have sound machines that mimic mama’s heart for baby, too- you know those sleepless sweet days and nights where baby just wants to be held next to Mama? If you’re juggling anything else, such as work, house work, cooking, or Lord forbid, other children, you can’t always hold the wee ones. I have used the heartbeat sound therapy even when I have babysat small babies and was shocked how soothing it was for them.
For sleep-training
Our next application was for crying it out. I know that some of you may not agree with this philosophy, but when applied appropriately and at an age-appropriate time, crying it out can help babies learn to self-soothe and sleep better in the long run, thus making them well-rested and happier babies. You don’t have to agree. Seriously. But, Luke would have eaten at 2am and 5am for the rest of his life if given the chance. So, with both babies, we were able to let them cry for a certain amount of time until they outgrew their need for feeding to sleep. You can read more about my experience here.
You may wonder why we used white noise? Because I am not totally heartless. I cannot bear to hear my children cry for longer than a few minutes. So, we turned it to a level that allowed me to tune it out, but Josh could still hear each child and determine what needed to happen. Bless him. He’s a good man. There are also great generators that have timers- so you can set it for 15, 30, or 60 minutes and then it will go off. This can help with not allowing your baby to cry too long, or for you to get in a nap, but not sleep away the whole afternoon unwittingly.
For work
My newest application is for work. Since I do work from home, white noise can help me focus better and for longer periods of time. I naturally start to tune out the surrounding world for the couple hours I need to work. This is particularly helpful since I live in a flat with thin walls. We can hear everything, including our neighbour jamming to Johnny Cash at all hours of the night.
For our sleep
We still use a white noise generator for night time sleep- I reiterate my point that our flat is LOUD. Without white noise, I can hear every car door slam on our street (and they park bumper to bumper up and down it), every door in adjacent flats open and close, Josh making breakfast for himself earlier than I care to get up, Rebekah stomping up and down the stairs for midnight potty trips, Luke kicking in his crib, the wind howling through our draft flat, etc. I usually start the generator off pretty low and turn it up as needed. The cool thing is that most are adjustable, so you can find a happy sound and a good volume for you.
For Travel
As you know, we live in Scotland. So even though the UK is crazy-expensive, is still has the added bonus of being relatively close to “real Europe.” We try to travel somewhere new once a term, including summer. Last autumn, we went to Germany, next week we’re hitting Paris, in April we’re going to the West Coast/Isle of Skye with my mom, this summer we’re visiting family in London with Josh’s parents, and this autumn, fingers crossed we’ll do Italy or my beloved Spain. How do we globe-trot with 2 small children and 2 medium-sized adults who are not used to sharing a room? I’ll say it again: white noise generators. The feature that is particularly helpful for travel is portability. That way we still have the luxury of peace regardless of who checks in next door.
Shopping for the right white
My favorite features for a white noise generator are:
- Portable
- Small, lightweight
- Adjustable
- Nature sounds
- Timer
As it is, I do write for a white noise company. You may have noticed my personality in the links. 
Anyway, as such I can point you towards some great products. First, here is a FREE white noise generator!! Also, there is an upgrade I you can have for free- just use the discount code: TILTUP. Also, if you are in the market for a machine of your own, I can also provide you with a 10% off discount for any product: TILT10.
For more Things I Love Thursday, be sure to check out Diaper Diaries.
Disclaimer: Interestingly, as a result of being a believer in white noise, I was offered a job as a copy writer and editor for a white noise/sound masking company. As such, I do work for a white noise company. But it is this connection that allows me to offer you the discount. Win-win, I say.
