How far away should a white noise machine be from a baby?

A practical rule is to keep a white noise machine at a comfortable distance from your baby, on a change table, or pram. The golden rule is to try to significantly lower the volume at your baby’s ears even if the machine itself seems fairly loud up close. You can check by standing where your baby sleeps: if you need to raise your voice to talk, the device is either too close or too loud. Placing it on a stable surface away from curious hands and cords also improves safety. If you move the cot or the machine, it is worth rechecking the volume from your baby’s position.