Comforting humidity Having a warm or cool mist humidifier going is an easy, natural way to help alleviate your little one's cough, cold, and flu symptoms. Humidity can even shorten the life span of the flu virus on surfaces when humidity is at an ideal level of 40%-60% (easy to keep tabs on with a humidity monitor).
"Humidifiers are helpful in infants' rooms when they have upper respiratory infections or when the air is very dry in the home—usually in the winter," says Jennifer Foersterling, M.D., a Washington University pediatrician at Premier Pediatrics in St.
Adding moisture to the air can keep mucus from drying up inside your baby's nose. One way to add humidity is with a humidifier.
Humidifiers add moisture to the air. Cool-mist humidifiers may help ease coughing and congestion due to a cold. But more research is needed. Some research has found that heated humidifiers don't help cold symptoms.
Make sure not to place the humidifier directly next to your child or their bed/crib. Keeping some distance (around 3 feet) between the humidifier and your child will ensure their safety.
Another sign that humidifiers could be beneficial is if your baby seems to get colds more often or has a harder time recovering from them. Dry air can cause the tiny hairs in our nose and lungs to become dry and brittle, which can make it difficult for your body to fight off viral infections.
The general rule of thumb is 3-4 feet from the crib or sleeping space. If you place a humidifier too close to your baby's bed, the mist may saturate their sleep space, which could introduce harmful mold and bacteria.
A cool-mist humidifier may help soothe cough and congestion symptoms. Moisture in the air can thin and loosen mucus, helping you to have more productive coughs and be less congested.
While using a humidifier can help with dry sinuses, it can also cause harm. Dust mite and mold growth is promoted more in humid environments, so if people are allergic to dust and mold, or if they have asthma, using a humidifier could aggravate these conditions.
The duration to run a humidifier varies, but typically, it's beneficial to run it for about 12 hours daily, usually overnight. Factors such as room size, current humidity levels, and personal health needs can influence the duration. Ensure the room's humidity stays between 30% and 50% to maintain a healthy environment.
Humidifiers and kids: how to use them safely
Advantages: Because these heat water to boiling, the vapor they release is germ-free. Disadvantages: They get hot and can burn, especially if left in children's rooms unattended, such as overnight.
Keep Theirs Heads Upright
The best default position for your baby to be in when they have a cold is upright.
To be used safely, it is essential to use distilled water with no minerals, bacteria, or mold. Additionally, do not add oils or vapor rubs, and keep your baby's bedroom door open so that if you see white dust on surfaces, the humidifier releases particulate matter.
If you keep your humidity level between 30-50%, you might notice several health benefits, such as less dry skin, sinus problems, bloody noses, and cracked lips. If you're struggling with a cold or congestion, keeping a humidifier in your room may also offer some relief.
It is best to place the humidifier at least 3 feet away from your bed. This is to avoid being directly exposed to too much moisture and to allow the moisture to be distributed evenly around the room.
People often have to deal with their humidifiers not working because of a minor issue. Overall, humidifiers are safe to keep overnight when you're asleep. It's beneficial and helpful in many ways.
Use filtered or distilled water for your baby's cold-mist humidifier. Tap water may contain minerals and matter that allow organisms to flourish inside your humidifier. Don't purify water yourself. Disinfectants and other chemicals in the water also reach your baby's lungs.
So, can you use tap water in a humidifier? While you technically can; it's not recommended. Instead, look for demineralized, distilled, and purified water at the store. This kind of water is less likely to result in mold and bacteria growth inside your humidifier.
The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) suggests that by helping loosen mucus, a cool-mist humidifier can soothe coughs. Humidification can help relieve coughs linked to bronchitis. However, it's not recommended for people with asthma-related coughs.
Pick up steam. Run a cool mist humidifier in your child's bedroom and give steamy baths. The water vapor loosens congestion. Note: Use a cool mist humidifier rather than a vaporizer, which is a burn hazard.
Fill up the humidifier with plain water—no Vicks or other substances—and run it in baby's room while she's sleeping. “Put this close to the crib; it really makes a difference,” Posner says.
For a congested nose, you can help your baby by using saline drops or a saline spray in each nostril, followed by clearing out any mucus using a bulb syringe. For a congested chest and nose, you can help by using a cool-mist humidifier in your baby's room.
The Best Humidity Level for Babies
Keeping it above 50 will prevent the spread of other viruses, counteract skin and sinus irritation, and keep down dust particles. And if you want to guarantee the comfort and health of the rest of your family, that humidity level should be maintained throughout the rest of your home.
It is important to make sure that your baby is a comfortable temperature – not too hot or too cold. The chance of SIDS is higher in babies who get too hot. A room temperature of 16-20°C – with light bedding or a lightweight, well-fitting baby sleep bag– is comfortable and safe for sleeping babies.