Best Humidifier for Baby Congestion | 2020 Review with pros & Cons

Best Humidifier for Baby Congestion | 2020 Review with pros & Cons

Occasionally, the air in your home may get too dry. If the air does not have enough moisture, it can cause your baby some discomfort, especially if she has allergies, a cold, or the flu.

A humidifier can solve that by moisturizing the air and keeping it at a certain level. That could help reduce certain symptoms your little one might experience, such as congestion or a sore throat.

Humidifiers could also help keep skin hydrated if your child has eczema, and could help to fend off nosebleeds.

Table Of Contents

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In A Hurry?

If you require a humidifier and do not want to read the entire article, below are the recommended items from the article.  (Low, Medium and High Price)

Which Is the best Humidifier for Baby Congestion

When dealing with Baby Congestion , the best humidifier is the NOMA 4L Evaporative Humidifier with Adjustable Mist Mode

However, this will depend on several things, like if you want it to do several tasks – like Dorm Room, or Cold and Flu symptoms.

There will also be costs for the humidifier - like Mist Type, Water Tank Capacity, Coverage Area and Noise Level. So as you can see, there is a lot in picking the right humidifier!

Should I use a humidifier for my baby?

Well, it depends. There is not a pre-defined “need” for your baby to use a humidifier. But, if the baby has a cold or congestion, it is certainly advised.

Since there aren’t many over-the-counter medications for babies, and the use of honey or other natural remedies, isn’t advised for children younger than 12 months, a humidifier will probably be the best solution.

How humidity affects your baby

Babies are much more vulnerable to hardships like high temperatures, humidity problems, and air quality inconveniences than adults. You should never assume they’ll be able to handle harsh conditions the same way you can. It’s obligatory to give them safe and comfortable humidity levels at home.

Low humidity

The typical cold and other sicknesses (including congestion) are especially hard on infants and babies.

Low humidity causes several unpleasant effects for babies:

  • Coughing
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Nosebleeds
  • Increased susceptibility to sickness
  • Respiratory problems
  • Allergy symptoms
  • Nosebleeds
  • Static electricity increasing and static cling
  • Recovery from sickness takes longer
  • Dry skin
  • Stuffy nose and sinuses
  • Worsening rashes

High humidity

High humidity is present in many climates and especially in the near coastal areas.

In those areas, the air, when humidity is high, feels extremely unpleasant and even more “hot” even though the temperature might not be so high.

The reason is that high humidity conditions disrupt you and your baby from being able to cool well. For babies this means that they’ll have a hard time sleeping, they’ll sweat significantly more than normal, and they’ll be much more irritable and upset.

How to check humidity levels

In order to know and check your baby’s comfort level, all you’ll need is a hygrometer. It is a simple digital humidity level meter that also measures temperature.

It takes the guesswork out of wondering how dry the air is around your child and home.

The ideal humidity level at your home is between 30 and 50 percent.
If the air feels uncomfortably heavy and damp, your house may be overly humid. That usually happens at humidity levels over 60% and at that point, consider using a dehumidifier.

Dehumidifiers work by pulling water from the air and collecting it in a tank. By using one in your baby’s room, you can keep humidity levels in a comfortable range and draw out excess moisture.

Dehumidifiers are unnecessary for every nursery. Although, some families may want to consider one.

  • If you live in a region where the weather gets sticky (especially in the summer) and your home doesn’t have central air conditioning.
  • If your child has indoor allergies and you're in an environment with allergens such as dust mites, mold, or pets running around.

When to use a humidifier

You can use a humidifier any time your baby is blocked to alleviate any discomfort they might be feeling from a congested nose.  They can as well be used to relieve the symptoms of allergies or asthma. Thus, if you plan on using them for a long time, you should consult a doctor.

Ongoing congestion can indicate something more than a cold and, as you are certainly aware, one of the best ways to decide if you might need to see a doctor is looking at the type of mucus your child has.

travel humidifier

Picking the right humidifier for your baby

There are several factors that need to be taken into consideration before buying a humidifier for your little one:

  • Cool mist or warm mist - A warm mist humidifier’s biggest advantage is that it produces a warm steamy mist that’s extremely helpful for cold and sinus congestion relief. It’s a remedy that’s been around forever and is still widely used today. On the contrary, the cool mist humidifier is preferred by the pediatricians because the warm mist ones can pose a burn risk for the baby, but it has a poor effect when dealing with congestion.
  • Effective area - If you are just using the humidifier in your baby’s room, a humidifier that covers 100sq/ft would be suitable. Buying a too big humidifier can lead to the forming of unwanted mold.
  • Filter or no filter - You’ll definitely keep potential irritants out of the air if you use a humidifier with a built-in filter. However, you’ll have to clean it often, as it can be a source of ill health both for you and your baby.
  • Noise level - The device needs to be quiet since your baby spends most of its time in the room sleeping/resting
  • An automatic shutoff - Given that you’ll probably run your humidifier at night when you and your baby are sleeping, you should look for this feature so that when the water tank gets empty, the device will shut off immediately.
  • Lights and sound - Some baby humidifiers come with a built-in night light and can play lullabies.
  • Built-in diffuser - Some humidifiers can be used with scents or essential oils, releasing a pleasing aroma, easing congestion, or just improving health overall. Depending on the brand and model, it may require you to purchase their specific diffuser.

How to get your baby to sleep!

If you’ve noticed that your little one has been breathing heavily or is congested during the day, a humidifier might be just what they need. It’s easy to take care of and will make a world of difference for their breathing and sleep. About Humidifiers

Humidifiers add moisture to the air, making it easier to breathe. Babies sleep better when their rooms are humidified, which means a more sound sleep and less night-waking for both of you. Removing dry air can also help prevent static electricity and reduce the chance of fire. Try adding a humidifier to your baby’s room for a better night’s sleep for everyone.

Other things that may help with baby congestion

1) Good night sleep

Get your baby’s room set up with a good night’s sleep. Set up the room so that she can sleep with the door closed, if possible. Make sure that it’s easy for her to fall asleep (for example, by eliminating any distractions in the crib and cradling her in a cozy swaddling blanket).

2) Avoid cold air

If you are using a heating pad, make sure to cover it with a thick quilt for extra warmth. If you are using the extra heat from a humidifier, place it in a safe place that won’t burn if she should kick or move.

3) Eliminate any sources of added heat

If you have tea lights on the nightstand, move them to an area where they won’t cause too much light. If using incense, be sure that it’s not going directly on to the baby or furniture. The fumes can be very irritating and harmful if they come into contact with her skin or eyes.

4) Keep the room dark

Try to eliminate any possible sources of light, such as a nightlight or outside lights. The more you can do to darken the room, the better. A few hours before bedtime, draw the curtains and lower or turn off any bright overhead lights. A baby monitor might be helpful if you need to keep a visual on your baby after she’s asleep.

5) Let your baby fall asleep on her own

Avoid rocking, patting or patting her back until she falls asleep (this will only lead to a more difficult falling asleep process). If she is having trouble sleeping, try offering a pacifier to help calm her.

6) Get plenty of sleep yourself

The last thing you want to do is add more stress to your day. This can make you more irritable and tense, which will also make it harder for your baby to fall asleep. If you’re not getting enough sleep, you may want to consider a baby crib in your bedroom. This will make it easier for you to get up in the middle of the night and check on your baby.

7) Don’t smoke

Studies have shown that babies exposed to secondhand smoke get allergies, which is another reason not to smoke in the home. If you’re pregnant, quitting smoking is one of the best ways to sleep better throughout the pregnancy and after your baby is born.

8) Don’t have pets

When pets are around, they tend to release a lot of dander (dead skin cells), which can result in an increase in baby respiratory problems and congestion. You don’t have to get rid of them completely, but keep them away from your baby while she sleeps.

9) Stay cool

Don’t let your room get too warm. Keep your windows open a little at night and use a fan if you do close the windows.

10) Try a humidifier

If none of your other tricks are working, try adding a humidifier to the room. A humidifier will add moisture to the air and will make it easier for your baby to breathe as well as help her fall asleep. Choose one that has an adjustable thermostat so you can control the level of humidity in the room. Also consider placing it somewhere where she won’t likely get tangled up in it or knock it over during her night sleep.

Humidifiers come in many shapes and sizes, from small round models to small pedestals that sit on top of your dresser or nightstand.

11) Get a vaporizer

Vaporizers are very similar to humidifiers. They work by adding moisture to the air and providing relief from congestion. Vaporizers can be used in any room, but are especially helpful for those with colds or allergies. It helps moisturize the nasal lining and lungs, making breathing easier. Humidifiers typically run for 24 hours at a time, while vaporizers have a tank that you have to fill up and will generally run for a couple of hours at a time.

12) Sleep in own room

She’ll sleep better and be less likely to kick or move around when you’re in her room. When you’re working on sleep training, you should also avoid sleep training in the same room as your baby.

13) Buy a pacifier

Having a pacifier will help your baby fall asleep on her own, which will prevent disruptions from you going into her room to check on her. If it doesn’t help, remove it during the night so that you don't make things worse by accidentally putting it back in when you go in to look at her later.

How much do humidifiers cost?

For both warm mist or cool mist humidifiers, you can expect to spend about $25-$60 or so depending upon the room size coverage, water tank size, and features. There are more expensive ones, though the ones costing between 35$-50$ should fulfill the majority of your baby’s needs.

Summary

At times, simple is the best. Picking a filter-free, medium-sized, easy to fill, and operate humidifier that supports the use of scented pads to help ease congestion is usually the best option when using a humidifier for babies. There aren’t many tricks you can try when your baby comes down with a cold and using a humidifier is at the very top of that list.

Please Note: Just because a humidifier is marked, for example “Baby Room”, it will still work for other things, for example “Living Room” or “Plant Humidifier”

Items To Buy

Again, the humidifiers below are probably the ones that you will need to buy!

The prices of these are low, medium and high. This will give you the best range. The lower prices will not have all the bells-and-whistles, and the higher price one's will.

  • WARM MIST HUMIDIFIER – Vicks Warm Mist Humidifier helps to ensure proper humidity levels in your home. Indoor humidity levels between 40-60% can help relieve cough and congestion, keep throat and nasal passages hydrated and more.
  • COUGH AND CONGESTION RELIEF – Vaporizers for bedroom and home can be helpful during cold season, when it’s difficult to sleep with cough and congestion. Humidifiers with warm mist can provide temporary relief by adding necessary moisture to the air.
  • QUICK AND EASY TO USE – This filter-free humidifier can be used with Vicks VapoSteam for medicated vapors. With a 1 gallon tank, you can enjoy warm mist for up to 24 hours. It’s quiet, too, making it a great choice for your bedroom or as a baby humidifier.
  • HUMIDIFIERS FOR BEDROOM AND MORE – A warm mist humidifier is great for a baby, young children and adults, and fits perfectly into any room. Use them when the air is dry, in allergy season, when sick or even just to maintain optimal indoor humidity levels.
  • A CENTURY OF POWERFUL RELIEF– At Vicks, we believe that everyone deserves a touch of care. Our line of humidifiers, steam inhalers and vaporizers help you breathe better, wherever you are.
  • COOL MIST HUMIDIFIER FOR CHILDREN: Help your kids breathe easier throughout the night with this whimsical cool mist humidifier and night light. Thoughtfully designed and rigorously tested, this Parent Tested, Parent Approved award winner is perfect for your baby’s nursery, kid’s bedroom, or any space up to 250 sq ft that needs extra humidity.
  • INSTANT DRY AIR RELIEF: Quiet enough for bedtime, the large 1.8L tank moisturizes rooms for up to 24 hours to create ideal humidity levels that help ease congestion, cold symptoms, dry skin, coughs, and encourage better sleep. Additionally, customize their comfort using the mist control knob to incrementally adjust the moisture output and rotate the 360° nozzle to direct the humidity wherever you need it.
  • SOFT GLOW NIGHT LIGHT: Create a soothing environment for your baby with the optional and independent night light. Rotate through 7+ rainbow-spectrum colors or use Color Choice Technology to select your favorite color to gently lull your little one to sleep during naps or bedtime.
  • PLAYFUL CLOUD DESIGN: Our unique patent-pending design is kid-friendly and playful, while the modern, cloud design fits on any nightstand or tabletop while beautifully complementing any nursery, kids bedroom, playroom, or other large space
  • WHAT YOU GET: PureBaby Cloud Humidifier, AC power adapter, cleaning brush, user manual, and Pure Enrichment’s guaranteed 5-Year Warranty. Our customer support team provides daily quality service and peace of mind to millions worldwide all from a proven brand you can trust.

Other Questions

Is a humidifier good for baby congestion?

Having a humidifier is cool because it keeps the room aerated. One of the reliable decongestant options is installing a humidifier in your baby's room. It aids in ventilation by circulating air adequately.

The countless benefits that come with using this device might influence you to get one. Some advantages include reducing the severity of respiratory diseases like sinus. Preventing the skin from being dry and itchy. Relieving nasal congestion by loosening mucus and reducing cold and flu symptoms. A humidifier moisturizes your skin, especially if your baby has eczema.

 

How do you decongest a baby?

Accumulation of mucus and air in the nose causes congestion. The nose could get blocked, leading to difficulties in feeding and breathing (could snore). A stuffy nose is a threat to a baby's health; decongestion is the only solution.

Decongestion treatments include using nasal saline care products if the baby has thick mucus.

Placing a humidifier in the baby's room can help. These devices can aid ventilation and ensure that the room is adequately aerated. Also, check the baby's sleeping position and ensure that its head is gently raised.

Can babies suffocate from congestion?

Stuffiness can lead to congestion, which would cause congestion in a room. If the space is not cleared, children can suffocate from congestion. It causes swelling and blockage of the tissues. Thus preventing air from entering the respiratory system. Infants are at a higher risk of suffocating.

Because their breathing system is still developing, and they might struggle to grasp air. A baby's nose doesn't have cartilage that could cushion the baby from stuffing.

If the nostrils get blocked, the baby can suffocate. You can avoid such misfortunes by ensuring that your baby sleeps safely.

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Nick Le Page

 An air purifier is a device designed to remove dust, pollen, smoke, soot, mold spores, smog, and other airborne pollutants from the air.

If you want to keep your home clean and free of contaminants—and save money on heating and air conditioning bills—quality air purifiers are a powerful first step.

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