This post isn’t about babies or toddlers with hEDS (so few of them get diagnosed that the experience alone would be a post!).
It is for the older kids with hEDS.
The ones enrolled in school, the ones who no longer think there are monsters in the closet or hug a stuffy tight at bedtime. The kids who don’t snuggle with you to go to sleep anymore.
Using white noise after the newborn stage of life is helpful because it becomes an inexpensive, safe, and easy-to-use tool to build a child’s physical and mental health without drugs or counseling.
White noise is a cornerstone of most newborn calming strategies, or it should be. It is a great way to help a baby transition into their own bed from a co-sleeper, and a terrific way to help during teething troubles and the shift off of nursing or midnight dream feeds.
But white noise is healthy for anyone, at any age. It masks the background sounds of adults and older kids, pets, and outside noises. The brain likes white noise. The dullness of it tells the brain that nothing interesting is happening here.
And no, it isn’t addictive. Not unless you consider your desire to drink water when thirsty an addiction. Most kids and adults do not require white noise to get to sleep and stay asleep. That is because it is one tool of many to cue the brain for sleep. Unless those other things are in place, it won’t conk anyone out.
Why is it so helpful for kids with hEDS?
Because having a systemic connective tissue disorder means that getting good quality sleep is really important for health. This is a disorder that we cannot cure. We can only manage it. Actions that are low-risk and high reward are always the way to go with a syndrome like hEDS. Using white noise to support sleep is safe and easy. It is portable. It is cheap. It works.
Sleep is a cheap and accessible health aid. It isn’t just resting the physical body. The brain cleans and learns during sleep. Kids with hEDS can miss a lot of school due to the condition. Anything that supports learning is important. Sleep does that for free. No prescription needed, no tutor.
The brain’s neurohormonal activity during sleep is also important. Reducing inflammation, supporting the immune system, and supporting muscular recovery from activity are only three of the amazing things that good sleep can offer.
Why These Kids Can Need More Help to Get a Good Night’s Sleep
Kids with hEDS may need help to get to sleep and stay asleep. This comes from the things that interfere with sleep, and the limitations on what can be safely used to assist them to sleep.
Weighted blankets are risky for many of them. Hypermobile Kids, Sleep, And The Hidden Problems With Blankets So are meds. They often need dim lights to avoid tripping on the way to the potty. That dim light isn’t good for sleep. But neither is tripping. Pain from ligament injuries or overuse injuries can make it harder to fall asleep. Snacking has its risks as well Why Letting Your Child Graze Can Damage Their Sleep Quality .
What white noise machine do I like best?
I like the LECTRO fan:
It is available as a travel size, a wall plug-in, and their flagship size.
The wide variety of settings and the option to use USB or AC power give it flexibility. It is durable and small enough not to overwhelm a space.
