The 4th of July is just around the corner, bringing with it the promise of hot weather, barbeque, and, of course, fireworks! While the colorful sparks and explosions can be beautiful when they light up the night sky, they’re remarkably loud and can really frighten your baby—and keep them awake throughout the night. Whether you’re taking your little one to see a fireworks show (hopefully from a distance!) or simply trying to keep them asleep throughout the festivities, here are some tips to help keep them calm and happy.
Use ear protection
If you’re taking your baby to see the fireworks at night, hearing protection is non-negotiable. Noise levels at 85 decibels and above can harm your baby’s hearing and fireworks exceed 150 decibels! Babies have smaller ear canals than adults, so sound pressure level can be greater for them. Even just one large acoustic event can cause permanent hearing loss, so be sure to use earmuffs with a high noise reduction rating (NRR). Their hearing protection should also have good padding that forms an effective seal around their head to keep the noise out.
Stay far back
It’s tempting to be right where the action is, but when you have a little one to think of, keeping your distance is the better option. Stay at least 200 feet away from where the fireworks or show’s speakers will be, and don’t worry—your baby will still be able to enjoy the show! The further away you are, the less likely it is that their hearing will be damaged. If the fireworks are a backyard celebration, then it’s best to keep your baby indoors.
Turn up the sound machine
A sound machine is your best friend when it comes to masking unwanted noise and keeping your baby sound asleep. If the evening fireworks are close to home, even the best white noise machine won’t completely block out the sounds, but it will help muffle them and hopefully prevent your little one from startling awake. Position the machine between your child’s crib and the window where the noise is the loudest, and turn up the volume a bit more than you usually would. If you have a second sound machine to spare, you might consider also positioning it outside their bedroom door for more noise-muffling aid. Just be sure to keep the sound level under 50 decibels to prevent damaging your child’s hearing.
Plan out bedtime
When it comes to baby sleep schedules, every parent becomes a math whiz. You’re probably already used to doing all the mental math to calculate your little one’s wake windows and optimal bedtime, and July 4th is the day that all that practice comes in handy. The fireworks usually start up as soon as it gets dark, which can be as late as 8:30 PM in the summertime. You’ll want your little one to be asleep at least 40 minutes before the fireworks go off to ensure that they’re in a deep sleep and less likely to wake. Try to time their nap times and even cap the last nap of the day to aim for a bedtime around 7:30 PM.
Offer extra cuddles
Fourth of July fireworks aren’t just distressing to household pets—they can be a lot for people, too. Loud noises are startling, and if your little one is sensitive to sounds, the booming of the fireworks can be particularly upsetting. Offer your baby plenty of comfort and reassurance, and be patient. Although the sleep disruptions can be frustrating and even result in a sleepless night for the whole family, you can get your baby’s healthy sleep habits back on track the next day!
