Sleep Regression in Babies: The "Shush" Method for New Parents
The 4-month sleep regression is brutal. Here is how to use sound layering to recreate the comforting chaos of the womb.
Inside the womb, it wasn't quiet. It was loud—as loud as a vacuum cleaner. The sound of the mother's blood rushing, heartbeat thumping, and muffled digestive sounds created a constant wall of noise. That's why silence often wakes a baby up.
Why the "Shush" Works
The "Shush" sound mimics the whooshing noise of blood flow in the uterus. It triggers a Calming Reflex. But parents get tired of shushing for 45 minutes straight.
Sleep Orbit is the perfect tool for this because it allows you to layer sounds, whereas most baby monitors only play one loop.
The Ultimate Womb Simulation
Use this recipe to help your baby connect sleep cycles:
Layer 1: Heartbeat
Add the "Heartbeat" sound. Crucial Step: Slow the speed down slightly to mimic a relaxed resting heart rate (60 BPM). This entrains the baby's own heart rate to slow down.
Layer 2: The "Shush" / White Noise
Add "Pink Noise" (which is deeper than white noise and less harsh). Set this volume relatively loud compared to the heartbeat. This blocks out the sound of creaky floors or door clicks.
Layer 3: Familiarity
You can record your own voice shushing or humming in the app. Place this sound so it orbits slowly. The gentle movement suggests that "caregiver is present," preventing separation anxiety.
Safety Tips
- Keep the device at least 3 feet away from the crib.
- Ensure the volume at the crib does not exceed 50 decibels (about the volume of a quiet conversation).
- Use Airplane Mode to prevent notification sounds from interrupting the mix (Sleep Orbit works 100% offline!).
Get More Sleep Tonight
Build the perfect womb environment and help your little one drift off faster.