Screaming baby drives renter to desperation: 'Losing my mind'

A sleep-deprived renter who lives next door to a couple with an newborn has appealed for help.

The tenant’s bedroom wall is shared with the property of a young family who recently welcomed a baby. They already have a three year old.

Despite their desperation to get a good night’s kip, the renter said they understand it is not the little one’s fault. However, most noise-cancelling online ideas are directed at parents, not a neighbour.

“Lived in my rental for a while now my bedroom has a shared wall with a young family with a 3 year old who made typical 3 year old noises but nothing crazy. They recently had a newborn and I am losing my mind,” they wrote on the AusProperty thread on Reddit.

“I’ve tried earplugs, white noise, headphones with white noise, none of these are long term solutions. What the hell do I do? I Google and it’s all solutions for homeowners.

“I feel weird approaching them because it’s not the baby’s fault for acting like a baby. It’s also a very small house, it’s a connected row house , so I don’t know if there’s anywhere they can go in their house where I won’t hear the baby. I just want my unbroken sleep back.”

In the discussion, the renter explained the property is heritage listed and so little may have been done to sound proof the walls over the years.

One comment summed up the situation: “It’s your baby now too”.

Another said the din of a baby crying would not fall under noise level rules, which are governed by local councils and the environment protection authority in each state.

“Babies crying are unofficially considered exempt from noise nuisance laws,” they said.

“The local council environmental scientist/hygienist may be able to offer some guidance eg noise dampening, if the places are built to code.”

One reader of the thread was succinct on the practical realities.

“Babies cry, nothing the parents can really do. I’m sure they’re doing their best,” they said. “Do you have the option of moving rooms? Away from the shared wall?”