"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.
As with adults, it is best to incorporate a humidifier during both the winter months and summer months or when your home hygrometer reads below 40%. You can also introduce a humidifier for baby when you notice signs of minor nasal congestion.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the use of an installed, whole-house humidifier for babies and children or—in lieu of that costly option—a portable cool-mist humidifier. Because these models send a cool mist into the air, they're safer for children and pets than warm-mist humidifiers, aka vaporizers.
One of the major benefits of a whole-home humidifier for newborns is protection from dry air, especially in the chilly winter months when babies often become ill. A humidifier will let your newborn baby breathe easy and help get rid of pesky mucus build-up.
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. Set up a cool-mist humidifier in your baby's room near the crib, but out of the baby's reach.
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 best default position for your baby to be in when they have a cold is upright. This helps for congestion to clear and for breathing to become easier. And, most importantly, it helps them get that vital rest they need so much. To achieve this, consider wearing your baby on your chest while they nap.
Placing the humidifier too close to the baby could also saturate their sleep space. The rule of thumb is to place a humidifier 3 to 4 feet from your baby's crib or sleep space.
Cool mist humidifiers are generally safe for babies, though you still want to make sure they cannot pull them down or tip them over. However, a warm mist humidifier for baby is very risky. These humidifiers heat the water inside them until it is hot enough to produce a warm mist, which is then pushed out into the room.
At birth, it's normal for babies to be congested. They typically get some amniotic fluid in their noses that can result in stuffiness for the first few days after birth. Saliva, breast milk, or formula can also make their way into your baby's nose, causing them to sneeze in an effort to clear it out.
So, are humidifiers safe for newborns? Provided they're used with the utmost caution and concern, they're given proper maintenance with filters changed frequently, and away from any area that could be considered dangerous, yes, they're perfectly safe.
While both are effective in adding humidity to the air, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends the use of a cool mist humidifier. Vaporizers can cause burns if your child gets too close to the steam or accidentally knocks over a device filled with hot water.
Many people automatically use tap water in a humidifier as it is easy and accessible but this does not come recommended by manufacturers. This is because tap water contains many invisible minerals, including magnesium, which can create buildup in your humidifier, resulting in limescale and mould.
Reactions can be particularly bad in people with asthma or allergies. “They can have increased congestion, cough, even wheezing,” Richel said.
Dirty humidifiers can especially cause problems for people with asthma and allergies. But even in healthy people, dirty humidifiers have the potential to trigger flu-like symptoms or even lung infections when the contaminated mist or steam is released into the air.
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.
FAQs. Q: Is it dangerous for a baby to sleep with a blocked nose? A: While it might be comfortable for your baby to sleep with a congested nose, it's considered safe for most children.
Children and infants have narrower nasal passageways than adults, making them more susceptible to nighttime congestion caused by inflammation or excess mucus. Very young children and especially infants, who mostly breathe through their nose, cannot blow their noses as adults can for temporary relief.
While we recommend using a humidifier during the spring and summer months in addition to the fall and winter months, using a humidifier during winter is particularly compelling. As we discussed in the previous section, the winter months are devoid of moisture, making regular humidifier use essential to optimal health.
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.