Shopping for a baby can be both exciting and adventurous especially for first-time moms since it is a new experience. One of the things you will likely have on the list of things to get when planning your nursery will be a baby humidifier. A humidifier helps in getting rid of viruses and bacteria in the air around your nursery which helps to prevent sickness and infection in children. As a result, a humidifier should be on the top of the list of things to buy when expecting a baby.
Buying the best humidifier for a baby can be a bit tricky especially with the number of brands available to choose from which makes it difficult to decide on which to spend your money on. When you know what to look for in a good baby humidifier, it becomes a lot easier to make a choice. Whether you are shopping for a nursery humidifier as a first-time mom or you want to get it as a gift for a newborn mom, below are some things you need to look out for before you buy one. Before I get into the details of what to look out for when shopping for a humidifier, I have decided to share some valuable information about humidifiers that you need to know.
What is a baby humidifier?
A baby humidifier is an important piece of addition to a baby’s nursery that helps to keep your baby healthy. Its function is to keep the air in your baby’s room pure and clean. There are made in different shape and size and in some cases, are designed in the shape of animals or toys that are enticing and also adds a bit of style to your baby’s nursery.
Benefits of using a baby humidifier
The benefits of having a baby humidifier in your nursery are numerous. As earlier stated, they play an important role in keeping the air in your infant’s nursery pure and clean. By so doing, it provides protection against dry air which can have negative effects on your baby such as dry sinuses, stuffy noses, and sore throat. A humidifier is highly beneficial to your baby, especially during the cold seasons, when the air is dry and chilly as it helps to relieve your baby of breathing difficulties and prevents infections associated with cold weather. When the air is dry, a humidifier helps to add a little bit of moisture to the air which makes it a lot easier for your baby to breathe and sleep comfortably. Due to the ability of a humidifier to add moisture to dry air in your baby’s nursery, you can rest assured that your baby won’t suffer from any skin irritations associated with dry weather. Skin irritations normally associated with dry weather include eczema, red patches, and chapped lips. Another important benefit of a humidifier in your baby’s nursery is that produces white noise which imitates the whooshing sound that babies are used to in the womb, which helps your baby to relax and sleep better.
Types of humidifier
Knowing the types of humidifier available in the market makes it a lot easier to decide on which one to settle for. The type of humidifier available differs according to the nature of air that is released from the humidifier.
#1. Cool mist humidifier
A cool mist humidifier doesn’t have a heating element installed in it, which means that the air that comes out of it is cool or at least set at room temperature. Most doctors advise that you get a cool mist humidifier for your nursery due to the fact that your baby won’t be scalded when they touch or play with the humidifier.
#2. Warm mist humidifier
In a warm mist humidifier, the air that comes out of it is warm. Most pediatricians advise new moms to get a warm mist humidifier due to the fact that the hot air it emits is capable of killing the viruses and germs in the air around the nursery. The warm air that emits from a warm mist humidifier also helps in opening the air passage of your baby’s nostrils thereby making it easy for them to breathe and reducing the build-up of mucus.
The best humidifier option for your child’s nursery
There are three options of humidifiers to choose from. The distinguishing factors in these humidifiers depend on the manner in which they can be used and they are
#1/ In-duct humidifier
An in-duct humidifier purifier the air around the entire house, so if you are searching for a humidifier that can be used in every room around the house, then you most certainly will want to install an in-duct humidifier. An in-duct humidifier is installed directly into the air ducts of the entire house. The benefits if an in-duct humidifier is that it keeps the air around the entire house pure for everyone, doesn’t require too much maintenance and it is highly efficient. The only downside is that it is the most expensive humidifier option available.
#2/ A console humidifier
A console humidifier is also a good choice of humidifier if you want a humidifier that can purify the air in the entire house. They are large and can hold up to nine gallons of water at a time, depending on the capacity of the model. A console humidifier is also expensive but they cost less than an in-duct humidifier.
#3/ Tabletop humidifier
A tabletop humidifier is portable and compact which means that it can be easily moved about for cleaning or when you want to use it in another part of the house. Some of the best baby humidifiers are tabletop humidifiers and they are by far the most popular choice of humidifier for nurseries due to their ease of movement. The tabletop is the most economical option of the three humidifiers but the only downside is that they are designed to purify the air in the room where they are located.
#4/ Safety precautions you need to consider when using a humidifier
A humidifier is highly beneficial to your child’s health, but there are also safety precautions that you need to consider to ensure that your child doesn’t encounter any problems with the humidifier and also that the humidifier is used properly.
1. Burns
One thing you need to consider when using a warm mist humidifier is that it is capable of causing burns to infants when they play with it. For this reason, it is important that you keep the hot steam of the humidifier away from the reach of little ones to avoid injuries.
2. Distilled water
Distilled water is a safer option compared to tap water. This is because tap water usually contains mineral fragments that can contaminate the air around the nursery. For this reason, it is important that you make use of distilled water anytime you want to make a refill. It might cost more to make use of distilled water instead of tap water, but distilled water provides a better performance and guarantees safety.
3. Cleaning
It is important that you take out time to clean your infant’s humidifier occasionally, this is important in order to sanitize them against bacteria, molds, and mildew. It is important that you follow the cleaning guidelines and instructions that come with the humidifier you purchase.
4. Drying
Allowing your humidifier to completely dry after each use is also important to get rid of the chances of germs and mold building up in the humidifier. Drying your humidifier also helps to protect the machine from damage.
Does your baby really need a humidifier?
A lot of parents tend to doubt the importance of a humidifier in the nursery and most times don’t include one when planning a nursery for their baby. The truth is that while a crib, bassinet, diaper changer and other pieces of furniture are important in your baby’s nursery, a humidifier is also important. With a humidifier installed in your baby’s room, you can be assured that the air in the room will be pure and your baby won’t be breathing in contaminated air. Also, a humidifier also protects your baby against skin irritations associated with dry air. So if you ask me, I would say a humidifier is probably one of the things you want to put on the top of your list of things to get for your newborn. There are cheap options of humidifier like the tabletop humidifier which is portable and also effective in cleaning the air.
What to consider before buying a humidifier
Before you buy a humidifier, you should have a need for one. A humidifier helps to increase the humidity level in areas around the home that contains dry air. Your main reason for getting a humidifier should be to disperse delicate and purifying mist into the space around your home or baby’s nursery. A humidifier also comes in handy during the winter season when other heating sources can reduce the humidity level around the home. You should also get a humidifier to help prevent your baby and other members of the home from itchy skin, cracked lips, bloody noses, irritated throats, asthma, and other allergy symptoms. You should also know that apart from preventing health-related problems to members of the family, a humidifier also helps to protect your home’s wood finishing and structural integrity. When the air indoor is hot, it can cause wallpapers to peel and can also crack wood floorings and finishing.
– The space you have
Knowing whether you need a humidifier for the whole house or a separate part of the house is important in knowing which type of humidifier to buy. If you want a humidifier to add moisture to a small area such as a bedroom or office, then you might want to get a tabletop humidifier. They are perfect for small areas since they can be easily moved to other parts of the home where they are needed. The good brands of tabletop humidifiers come with multiple speeds, germ protectors, easy to operate controls, in-built hygrometers, and low water indicators. If you want a humidifier that can add moisture to the entire house, then you will want to install a console humidifier as they have the capacity of adding moisture to large areas reaching more than 3,000 square feet.
– Type of humidifier you want
This is another important factor you need to consider before shopping for a humidifier. Humidifiers differ by the manner in which they operate. A cool mist humidifier sends out cool air similar to that of room temperature and can reach large areas and also requires less electricity. A warm mist humidifier disperses warm air since it makes use of a heating element that heats the water in the humidifier and disperses it into the room as warm air. A warm mist humidifier makes use of more electricity compared to other types of humidifiers. Due to the fact that the warm mist humidifier disperses warm air, they tend to produce healthier moisture due to the fact that the bacteria and germs around the room won’t be able to survive the warm air.
– Are you bothered by the noise?
A humidifier is a mechanical device, so you should expect it to make a little noise as it operates around the house. There are humidifiers that make more noise compare to others. However, if you want a humidifier that won’t prevent your baby from sleeping peacefully, then you want to get an ultrasonic humidifier since they are capable of producing a fine and soothing mist more quietly.
– How much maintenance is required?
As earlier stated, humidifiers require regular cleaning and drying but they are relatively low-maintenance devices. The type of maintenance that a humidifier requires includes cleaning the water tank to get rid of the mold, bacteria, and mildew that accumulate inside. You also need to check that the misting outlets aren’t clogged to ensure that the air flows out freely.
Conclusion
In summary, choosing the right humidifier for your baby’s nursery is an important decision that impacts your child’s health and comfort. Consider the type of humidifier that suits your space – be it a cool mist, warm mist, console, or tabletop model. Key factors include the size of the nursery, noise level, and ease of maintenance. A well-chosen humidifier not only maintains optimal humidity levels for respiratory health and skin care but also can provide soothing white noise for better sleep. Ultimately, the right humidifier is a valuable addition to your baby’s environment, contributing to their overall well-being.
