You want the best for your precious baby: the safest crib, the best monitor, and the most peaceful paint colors. A humidifier is no exception. So, what is the best humidifier for babies?
The best humidifier for babies is a cool mist humidifier with anti-mold technology, an automatic shut-off feature, easy to clean componentry, and compatibility with essential oils. In this article, we will delve into the nitty gritty details of each humidifier feature and provide you with an overview of the key benefits of regular humidifier use in your child’s nursery.
What Type of Humidifier is Best for Babies?
There are two categories of humidifiers: the cool mist humidifier and the warm mist humidifier or “vaporizer.” While both humidifiers have a vast array of benefits, cool mist humidifiers are recommended by the American Association of Pediatrics (AAP).
Vaporizers function by boiling water in the water tank creating vapor, which is funneled into the room through the device nozzle. As the vapor disperses through the room, it elevates humidity levels. When the vapor exits the vaporizer, it is scalding hot, which poses a burn risk for infants, children, and pets. If curious fingers and sticky hands happen to knock the vaporizer off the nightstand, the hot water could burn their hands, face, or body.
As a result, cool mist humidifiers are the safest option for humidifying your baby’s nursery.
The Benefits of Humidifier Use for Babies
Before we provide a detailed answer to the question: “What is the best humidifier for a baby?” it is helpful to understand why you should use a humidifier in your baby’s nursery.
There are major benefits to regular humidifier use in your child’s nursery, which include: alleviating congestion, preventing dry and itchy skin, improving sleep quality, and reducing the chances of contracting bacterial or viral infections.
Alleviate Congestion
Babies get congested regularly. You can chalk it up to their brand new respiratory system, which is learning how to adapt to a radically different environment. Dry home air, household allergens, breastmilk trapped in the nasal cavity, and more can contribute to infant congestion.
A humidifier is a very important tool for your baby’s nursery. Placing a humidifier in your sweet pea’s room will keep their small, sensitive airways extra moist, which will loosen any blockages. This makes it easier to pass mucus through the nasal cavity resulting in clear airways and a restful night of sleep (for both of you).
Prevent Dry, Itchy Skin
Dry, flaky, and itchy skin is incredibly common among infants. Baby skin is ultra sensitive, which makes it prone to redness and irritation from a wide variety of environmental factors.
A humidifier is a game changer for infant skin. The increased moisture from the humidifier will keep your little munchkin’s skin hydrated, which means no irritating itch, and no dry, flaky skin.
Reduce the Chances of Contracting Airborne Bacteria and Viruses
The dry, harsh weather that accompanies the winter months is a breeding ground for bacteria. Studies show that humidity levels less than 40% increase the lifespan of airborne viruses; this means that they can survive for longer periods of time, subsequently increasing your chances of “catching” a cold or the flu.
While children will inevitably get sick, there are ways you can reduce their chances of contracting an airborne virus. A humidifier will increase moisture levels in your sweetheart’s nursery, which will reduce the survival rate of bacteria and viruses. The result is a healthy, happy little tater tot.
What is the Best Humidifier for a Baby?
After all is said and done, what is the best humidifier for a baby and what features should you keep top of mind? The following features will ensure your little bundle of joy remains safe and healthy while benefiting from elevated humidity.
Anti-Mold
When choosing the best humidifier for your baby, you want a device that will keep your little tot healthy and happy all day and all night long. Traditional humidifiers require the following precautions to prevent mold and bacterial from developing in the water tank:
- Daily wipe down of your device
- Immediate clean-up of spills on surrounding surfaces
- Use of distilled water in the water tank (no filtered, mineral, or tap water)
- Water and vinegar soak (2 parts water 1 part distilled white vinegar) after each use
- Weekly deep clean of all humidifier componentry once per week
These steps may prove difficult to maintain, especially as you start chasing your precious babe around the house. Canopy Humidifier is a no mist, no mess humidifier designed with your sweet pea in mind. Proprietary anti-mold technology actually prevents mold and bacteria from forming in your device. UV lights embedded into the water tank kill 99.9% of bacteria while the disposable paper filter traps any remaining contaminants. You can rest assured that the hydrated air released from your Canopy Humidifier is pure and safe.
Automatic Shut-Off Feature
The automatic shut-off feature ensures that your device powers down after the water tank has emptied. Since you will likely run your humidifier through the night in your baby’s nursery, the last thing you want is a persistent beeping sound if the water runs low. Quality sleep is crucial with newborns and small children.
Canopy Humidifier will continue operating until the device water tank has fully dried and there is no remaining water in the tank or water tray. After the water has evaporated from your Canopy Humidifier, the device will automatically power off with no startling sounds. In addition, no stagnant water means no opportunity for mold growth.
Easy to Clean
What is the best humidifier for a baby? One that is easy to clean, of course! As we mentioned earlier, the cleaning process for traditional humidifiers is time consuming and requires a bit of elbow grease.
Canopy Humidifier could not be any easier to clean. Canopy is designed with dishwasher safe components; just pop your Canopy parts into the dishwasher on a normal cycle and enjoy those precious, fleeting moments with your little one.
Compatible with Essential Oils
When searching for the best humidifier for your baby, you may want to consider choosing a device with essential oil compatibility. There are plenty of kid safe essential oils that can both lull your sweet pea into a peaceful slumber and provide ample therapeutic benefits.
Canopy Humidifier is 100% compatible with essential oils. In fact, all Canopy humidifiers come with an Aroma Puck, which allows you to diffuse essential oils into your space while you enjoy the benefits of elevated humidity.