Have we damaged our newborn’s hearing?

[BlueberryLane]

I was absolutely exhausted from being awake with the little one all night so my partner took over while I went for a nap. I woke up and came downstairs to find his iPhone in the baby’s Moses basket playing a Hoover noise. It was extremely loud. I turned it down and now I’m panicking that his hearing will be affected.

Can anyone give advice? The baby seemed to like it to be fair. But really paranoid now. He has since reacted to noises in the house, but I’ve been Googling about permanent hearing loss and I’m spiralling!

I very much doubt as a one off it will have done any damage, I wouldn’t let him do it again though. It doesn’t need to be so close if he still wants to play white noise. Maybe try to speak to your Health Visitor for reassurance.

I would think if he was enjoying it (and not screaming / crying) it won't have done any damage.

Thank you @WetWeekends - I can’t believe it. I can be an over worrier but i think my partner under worries about these things. Can’t help but feel like a constant nag!

He was totally calm @yourestandingonmyneck - unlike his mother! Haha

Stop Googling
I'm sure it'll be absolutely fine, just move it further away next time.

Google is the devil isn’t it @ApplesandBananas21 - I end up reading medical journals from America! Hahaha. PULL YOURSELF TOGETHER WOMAN.

@BlueberryLane

Google is the devil isn’t it *@ApplesandBananas21* - I end up reading medical journals from America! Hahaha. PULL YOURSELF TOGETHER WOMAN.

😂😂 It's easily done. I used to do it and I was making myself ill so stopped and feel much better for it!

A baby in the womb can hear its mother’s heartbeats at 95db! I’ve seen recommendations that white noise should be played quite loudly for babies for that reason.

My babies always love a good loud hoover noise. Sent them into a trance!

Next time I might just ask my other half to Hoover (two birds one stone!) @GravityFalls

He was totally transfixed @Smartiepants79 - blissful silence except the booming sound of a Hoover.

White noise is your friend. If you’ve found he responds to it, use it! It was amazing for putting my two to sleep!

I used to put my dd infront of the washing machine for naps, she liked the noise

I'm assuming this is your first baby? He'll be fine, please don't worry. Babies aren't as fragile as you think.

I wouldn't keep doing it. It shouldnt be so proud that you think it's loud.

And hearing is quite sensitive.. but I'm sure one off will be ok

@Smartiepants79 I can’t believe the white noise works! Definitely going to use it going forward but perhaps at less volume! 🙈

@TheCanyon washing machine - amazing tip. Might tell my other half to just continuously do the hoovering and washing! Haha

@Hallyup6 yep, first baby. I’m as cliche as they come. Had a bit of pink meat in pregnancy and was convinced I’d poisoned him with toxoplasmosis! Haha

Babies love loud white noise. The sounds of your body were loud to them when they were inside.

It sounds like you may have issues with anxiety, tbh.

I do @BuffySummersReportingforSanity - quite terribly.

Do you have support/are you being treated? The postnatal period can be really challenging for MH.

I wouldn't put the phone actually in the basket as mine gets really hot randomly but yeah, his ears will be fine

Oh gosh, I often have eh Alexa in his room at volume 6/7 playing white noise. I wouldn’t worry 🤭 DD is 18 months now and can still hear a packet open from 3 streets away or the word ‘chocolate’ from another continent.

Her* 💀

I’ve suffered with anxiety for a long time. I’m assuming it is spiking due to the nature of having a newborn. Hoping it will calm down once we get into a rhythm of things. It’s an overwhelming time for everyone isn’t it @BuffySummersReportingforSanity

It is. I just want to encourage you to seek support if you find your anxiety is escalating or you're really struggling. Yes it's normal to be a bit more anxious when you have your first newborn, but I'm wary of normalising it too far. Your HV or GP are sources of support, if you need them, and there are plenty of medication options that are compatible with breastfeeding if you are BF. Good luck.

@MyMabel - haha! Who knew Alexa would be good in times of crisis. She’s got our back!

@TriangularPrism - you’re dead right. It’s not happening again. Alexa might be the way forward!

Thank you @BuffySummersReportingforSanity I might just do that. Whatever help I can take!