Who will love it
It suits expecting parents, especially in apartments or busy houses where a door slam or a barking dog can wake a light sleeper. Parents who travel to the grandparents' house like a compact one that plugs in anywhere. It is also a thoughtful pick for a second baby, since the first one probably claimed the old machine.
Check the registry first. Some parents already have a monitor that plays sounds, and two devices doing the same thing is clutter.
What to look for
Look for a dim, warm light, ideally amber or red with a brightness dial. Bright blue or white light is harsh during a feeding and wakes everyone up more than it needs to. Sound quality matters more than a long menu: a smooth white noise or fan sound with no audible loop beats a dozen chirping birds. The volume should go low, and both a timer and a continuous mode should be available.
Phone control is handy, so parents can change settings without walking in, but the unit should also have buttons in case the app or wifi fails. A travel version with a rechargeable battery makes a good second gift.
Mistakes to avoid
Do not choose a unit that clicks or beeps loudly when buttons are pressed. Skip plush toys with sound boxes inside for a newborn's sleep space; the machine belongs on a dresser, out of the crib. And louder is not better. Most parents keep the volume modest and the unit across the room.
If it is not quite right
Blackout curtains help with daytime naps. A set of soft muslin swaddles is a small, easy shower gift. If sound is already covered, a video monitor or a few weeks of freezer meals may help the household more.
Questions people ask
Can a sound machine be used for toddlers and older kids?
Yes. Many families keep using the same machine for years, and some kids still want it in grade school.
Should a sound machine need an app?
Ideally not. Phone control is handy, but buttons on the unit mean it still works when the phone is in another room.
