Humidifiers Or Vaporizers

It is said that young children and babies commonly get six to eight colds and upper respiratory tract infections each year (although it certainly seems like more!) Increasing the moisture in the air is one way to help alleviate symptoms and to feel better. This is especially true when babies are experiencing a dry croupy cough and a dry, tight feeling in the chest and lungs.

It has long been the practice to use a humidifier for baby or a vaporizer in these situations. In the past, warm air humidifiers were used. A heating element made steam and a fan dispersed the vapor. However, these have largely been discontinued because of the possible burning hazard they may present to your little one. Then, nowadays what is the best humidifier for baby? Is a cool mist vaporizer better for baby? Yes! The use of cool mist from a baby cold air humidifier has become the preferred method to introduce the moisture into the air, and is now the parents’ choice and recommended humidifier for babies.

Ultrasonic humidifiers, as the name implies, produces a cool mist by way of ultrasonic sound vibrations. Impeller humidifiers work by use of a high speed rotating disc or fan to make the mist. Are these the best humidifiers for babies? Well, while they are much safer to use where the potential for burns is concerned, that doesn’t mean that they have no risks.

For instance, both humidifiers have the potential to disperse microorganisms and minerals from the water tank into the air. The minerals, also found in tap water, are released into the air and can cause a white dust to settle onto the surfaces of your house (and scale to form inside the humidifier, as well). This, in turn, may breed and introduce more microorganisms into the household atmosphere.

There are several things to do that can mitigate the situation. One easy solution is to always use distilled water, available at your grocery store, in your humidifier instead of tap water. Cleaning your humidifier regularly also helps. Another help is to avoid letting the leftover residual water sit in the humidifier’s tank when you are not using it, and to always fill the humidifier with a new supply of water before turning it on.

Evaporative humidifiers are another option. A fan is used to blow air through a wick or a filter. One thing to consider is that, generally, evaporative humidifiers can cost somewhat more than vaporizers.

So we return to the question, what kind of vaporizer for baby? Examine your circumstances and weigh the alternatives. You want a choice that is both safe and effective for your little patient.