Parenting is hard enough. You shouldn’t have to deal with constant colds, flues, and dry sinuses. That is where the best baby humidifiers enter the picture. These handy devices allow you to keep the air in your baby’s room the perfect temperature. In this article, we discuss what kind of humidifier is best for baby and for you.
So, read on. This article has all the answers you seek about baby humidifiers.
What is a Humidifier?
Identifying a humidifier and its purpose is not that hard. A humidifier is essentially a device, whether big or small, that adds moisture to the air. Typically, a humidifier works by converting water into mist or steam depending on if you have a cool mist or warm mist model. That mist or steam is then pumped into the air.
Humidifiers are ideal in a home for a number of reasons. First, they work wonderfully in dry or cool climates, or during cold winters. In each of these environments, the air in your home is liable to be dry, which can intensify symptoms of colds or dry skin.
Second, a humidifier can actually improve the symptoms of a number of conditions. These include
Clearly, it is a good idea to have a humidifier in your home. This is even intensified when you have a baby. A humidifier will help with all the symptoms mentioned above for your baby as well. But, as young children tend to get sick easier and have more congestion and allergies, a humidifier is even more important.
Different Types of Humidifiers
Now that you know what a humidifier is and why you need one for your baby, we need to discuss the different types of humidifiers available. Each type of humidifier is described in detail below.
Evaporative
Evaporative is the most common type of humidifiers on the market. This type of product uses a fan to blow air on a water-soaked sponge. These are typically the most affordable humidifiers you will find. However, because of the moving fan, they can be dangerous if you don’t purchase the best rated product.
Impeller
Impeller humidifiers work similarly to an evaporative humidifier, but it uses a rotating disk to move the moist air instead of a fan.
Ultrasonic
The most recent variety of humidifiers is ultrasonic. These products do not have the moving parts of the evaporative and impeller models. Instead, they use ultrasonic vibrations to create mist. Ultrasonic humidifiers are the quietest type around. They have quickly become some of the most popular humidifiers around, but some can be quite expensive.
Cool Mist vs. Warm Mist
Although neither cool mist nor warm mist is type of humidifier, they are important to mention in this section. The water vapor or mist that comes from your humidifier could either be cool or warm. If the mist is cool, you have a cool mist humidifier. And, as we’re sure you expect, if it is warm, you have a warm mist humidifier. Most physicians recommend only using cool mist humidifiers for your baby’s room.
How to Choose a Baby Humidifier?
When you look for a baby humidifier, you should keep in mind a few important features. These are listed in no particular order below.
Size
Size is an important consideration because very few products have the size variation that you will find in humidifiers. Humidifier size does not just apply to the overall size of the machine, but the water tank as well. The larger the water tank, the more time you have to run the humidifier before having to refill. Typically, a large humidifier will have a large water tank. But, there is some variation among the different sized products. So, definitely keep an eye on the water tank size.
You will also want to ensure you purchase the correct size humidifier for your baby’s room. There are a few standard sizes when it comes to a humidifier.
Runtime
Runtime is a big factor. It determines how long you can run your humidifier before you need to refill the water tank. The larger the water tank, the longer the product will run. A long-time is a great feature if you are dealing with a baby with bronchiolitis or a baby with croup. Long runtime means that you can set the humidifier up and it will run all night long.
Often the smaller, tabletop humidifiers do not have a large enough water tank to run eight hours or overnight. Instead, you may only get two to four hours out of them. That’s not a problem if the product also comes with an automatic shut-off safety feature. When it runs out of the water it will just shut off. But, ensure the product you choose has this or it could create a fire hazard.
Noise Level
As anyone with a baby knows, it is important to keep things quiet. Humidifiers for congestion should not be too loud in your baby’s room. Any extra noise to disturb your baby’s sleep, especially if you are dealing with a baby with croup or other sicknesses. Make your baby as comfortable as possible by purchasing a super quiet humidifier.
Cleanability
Yes, there are a lot of features to consider when looking for a humidifier. However, the one that you want to ensure your chosen product has is easy cleanability. This means that you should be able to completely clean the humidifier without any trouble.
Humidifiers with completely removable parts and a large opening in the water tank will be much easier to clean than other products. Since keeping the humidifier clean is such an important part of humidifier safety. It is essential that you make sure you can easily clean the product you choose.
Lights and Sound
Some baby humidifiers are also nightlights. And, some will even play music or other noises. If you want a multi-functioning machine, then you should choose a product with both sound and lights.
For your money, you should definitely consider a humidifier that is also a nightlight. The light that comes in humidifiers is typically an easy to see and neutral color. It can help you move around your baby’s room in the dark. Plus, some babies sleep better with night lights.
Diffuser
The best rated humidifiers are typically also diffusers. This means that you can put aromatherapy oil in a special receptacle, and the humidifier will evaporate the oil as it moisturizes the air in your baby’s room.
You may be wondering if aromatherapy oils are safe for your baby or toddler. The answer is a qualified yes. Scented oils can be safe for your baby as long as you keep them stored safely out of reach. Also, make sure that you don’t use too much oil in their diffuser at once. The recommended amount varies by age. But, keep it diluted and use a light touch, and your baby should be fine.
Best Baby Humidifiers on the Market Reviews
1 Pure Enrichment MistAire Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier
The Pure Enrichment MistAire Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier is an ultrasonic type humidifier for your baby’s room. Creating its mist through ultrasonic technology means that this product is ridiculously quiet. It also includes a night light to help you see your way around the nursery in the dark.
There are a lot of other great features for the Pure Enrichment MistAire Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier. Most importantly, it has a 1.5-liter water tank. You will love the sixteen hours of continuous operation you get from this tabletop humidifier. Plus, it has an automatic shut off feature, so you can feel safe leaving it in your baby’s room.
You know you are getting the best when you purchase a product from Pure Enrichment. The company knows this as well, which is why they back up their products with a five-year warranty. For baby humidifiers, this length of the warranty is unprecedented. Between the warranty and the seven days per week customer support, it is no wonder the MistAire Ultrasonic is our top choice of humidifier for your baby.
2 TaoTronic Cool Mist Humidifier for Babies
Another great ultrasonic cool mist humidifier is the TaoTronic Cool Mist Humidifier for Babies. This product is a little larger than the Pure Enrichment MistAire in our top spot. Its water tank is 1.8 liters as opposed to the 1.5-liter water tank on the MistAire. However, like the MistAire, the ultrasonic technology used in the TaoTronic product makes it a very quiet air humidifier. It is also small, lightweight, and has a slim design. You will never struggle to find a place to put this product in your baby’s room.
Additionally, the TaoTronic Cool Mist Humidifier for Babies is FCC certified and BPA Free, so you know it will be safe for your little one. Like all the top rated baby humidifiers, the TaoTronic Cool Mist Humidifier for Babies has an auto shut-off feature when the water tank runs out of water. It also has a nozzle that turns 360-degrees. So you can position the mist flow wherever you need it most. Finally, the product is super easy to clean. It even comes with instructions on how you can best clean and sanitize it.
3 HiAir Cool Mist Humidifier
HiAir’s Cool Mist Humidifier has a classic design. It is white and blue and has a very ergonomic shape. This product is also an ultrasonic humidifier that runs super quietly. In fact, the HiAir Cool Mist Humidifier only makes 32 decibels while running. That’s about the volume of a whisper. No baby will wake up while the HiAir Cool Mist Humidifier runs.
The HiAir Cool Mist Humidifier runs for thirty hours straight in the low mist setting. The half-gallon water tank is quite large and provides a lot of running time for your buck. If you want to ensure that your baby stays comfortable throughout the day and night, then the HiAir Cool Mist Humidifier is the product for you.
Other great features of this product include its easy cleanability and filter-free design. Both the cleanability and filter-free nature of the product saves you time and effort. You will still need to clean it, but at least you don’t have to worry about replacing the filter—or purchasing new filters at a high cost.
4 MADETEC Cool Mist Humidifier
If you want a smaller, quiet humidifier, then you need to try the MADETEC Cool Mist Humidifier. It does have a slightly smaller water tank—1 liter—than some of the other products on our list. However, you still get twenty hours of runtime before you need to refill the humidifier. It will also humidify up to 350-square feet, which is more than enough space for any nursery.
People who want the ultimate control over their baby humidifier will love the MADETEC Cool Mist Humidifier. It has three different mist settings. This means that you can easily control the exact amount of mist than goes into your child’s bedroom. And, it’s flattened design makes it hard to tip over, and a great choice for the nursery.
A final reason to consider the MADETEC Cool Mist Humidifier is the fact that it can be used as a diffuser. As long as you add the oils safely, this product can’t cause any harm. And, it may just help to clear up your baby’s cold or flu symptoms.
5 TaoTronics Humidifiers for Bedroom
TaoTronics makes such wonderful air humidifiers that we had to include another great product on our top ten. Most importantly, we love the design of this humidifier. It is in the shape of a whale, making it perfect for a nursery.
But design is not the only pro of the TaoTronics Humidifiers for Bedroom. It also is extremely quiet at only 26 decibels, so it will not wake your baby. That is actually a volume of below a whisper. The included nightlight provides a gentle glow. It will also keep from disturbing your child as they sleep.
Not only can the TaoTronics Humidifiers for Bedroom also be used as a diffuser, but it is super easy to clean. Few products are actually as easy to clean as this humidifier. As a diffuser, the product works well. It is made of anti-corrosive PP material, which ensures safety as you use the diffuser feature.
6 LEVOIT Humidifiers for Bedroom
LEVOIT has made another classically designed air humidifier with their Humidifiers for Bedroom. The entire product is in the shape of an egg and has a traditional white and blue coloring. The egg shape design means that this product will be quite hard for curious babies to tip over. You can’t beat the safety features on the LEVOIT Humidifiers for Bedroom. It is BPA free and has an auto shut-off feature for the top in baby humidifier safety precautions.
Other great features of the LEVOIT Humidifiers for Bedroom include its quietness (only 30 decibels), size (2.4 liters), and runtime (twenty-four hours on the lowest setting). You will also love the nightlight feature. Finally, the three mist levels on the product give you complete control over the amount of humidity being put into your nursery. Clearly, this ultrasonic humidifier is very hard to pass up. We think you should give one a try today.
7 Pure Enrichment MistAire Cloud
Pure Enrichment is another humidifier brand with lots of great products. Therefore, you should not be surprised that they also create some wonderful, whimsical products. Pure Enrichment’s MistAire Cloud is no different than what we’ve come to expect from this company. It has a wonderful design that is the shape of a cloud. To add to the whimsy, you get to choose the color of the nightlight. You can also choose to let it rotate through the eight different colors.
The MistAire Cloud works very similarly to the Pure Enrichment MistAire Ultrasonic in our top spot. It will run continuously for twenty-four hours. The variable mist control allows you complete control over the humidity settings.
Like all of their products, Pure Enrichment backs up the MistAire Cloud with a five-year warranty and seven days per week customer support. If you want the best customer service of any baby product brand, try the Pure Enrichment MistAire Cloud.
8 Cadrim Cute Diffuser
Cadrim doesn’t lie when they call their product the Cute Diffuser. It is a whale-shaped diffuser/cool mist humidifier. Apparently, a very popular design of baby humidifiers is the whale. In Cadrim’s whale, the mist comes out of the blowhole on top, which is just more fun.
In addition to the whale design, the Caderim Cute Diffuser can be set to one of seven different colors. Red, yellow, green, blue, pink, purple, and light blue are all colors you can choose from. The nightlight feature is only present in the middle of the whale. This design element ensures all babies can sleep without lots of light shining in their eyes.
It is not just the design and colors that make the Cadrim Cute Diffuser great. It is a multi-functional product as it is both diffuser and baby humidifier. Plus, this product is virtually noiseless. For smaller humidifier needs, you should definitely check out the Cadrim Cute Diffuser.
9 FridaBaby 3-in-1 Humidifier with Diffuser and Nightlight
If you want it all, try the FridaBaby 3-in-1 Humidifier with Diffuser and Nightlight. This cool mist humidifier is quite affordable considering its number of functions. It is a diffuser, cool mist humidifier, and a color-changing nightlight. Although many of the baby humidifiers on our list have these three functions, FridaBaby’s product is in a league all its own. The nightlight colors are muted and soft. The diffuser and cool mist humidifier functions work wonderfully as well.
What’s great about the FridaBaby 3-in-1 Humidifier with Diffuser and Nightlight is that you can use BreatheFrida vapor drops in the diffuser portion of the product. Other aromatherapy oils will work as well. The BreatheFrida vapor drops are just wonderful for babies with a cough.
Although not as long as many of the products on our list, the humidifier function will run up to twelve hours. Twelve hours is still enough to run unattended all night long. You can easily use this product to help a sick child stay comfortable all night long.
10 T Yong Tong Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier
The final product on our list is the T Yong Tong Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier. The long, large 2.2-liter design allows for many hours of continuous use. Like all of the other ultrasonic humidifiers on our list, this product is virtually silent. There will be no fans or other noises to disturb your baby’s slumber.
Also, like many products on our list the T Yong Tong Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier functions as a nightlight. There are no added colors to this nightlight. You can, however, choose to rotate the nozzle 360-degrees. The extra rotation means you can direct the mist wherever it is needed in the nursery.
As a final bonus, the T Yong Tong baby humidifier is also a diffuser. Add your own special blend of oils to keep your nursery smelling good and your babies healthy. Try this product today, and receive everything you need to get started using your baby humidifier and diffuser.
Now that you know the ten products we highly recommend, let’s address some of the lingering questions you may still have about baby humidifiers.
Do I need a baby humidifier?
The short answer is yes. Babies get colds and congestion easier than most adults. This is because their immune systems are still developing. Because humidifiers remove the symptoms of many illnesses including colds, it is a great idea to keep on in your baby’s room.
An additional reason to consider a baby humidifier is that it also soothes dry skin and eczema. These conditions are very common in babies and young children. And, they are exacerbated by dry air. Keeping the humidity levels regulated in their living environment will help keep your baby’s comfortable and happy.
When to use a baby humidifier?
You can use your baby humidifier as much as needed. Just keep in mind that any humidifier, but especially ones that are placed in your baby’s room need to be cleaned and dried regularly.
You know it is time to break out the humidifier if you have a baby with a stuffy nose, with a cold or flu, or just see a lot of congestion. These conditions can occur year-round, so keep an eye out for them, and use the humidifier at the first sign of trouble.
Additionally, you may want to keep the humidifier going in winter, as in most colder climates this is the driest time of year. Keeping the humidifier going even a couple of hours per day will ensure that your baby’s rooms stay at the correct moisture level for their comfort.
What type of humidifier is right for my baby?
Doctors recommend a cool mist humidifier for your baby. This is mainly due to safety concerns. If your baby gets too close and breathes the warm mist it could harm their throat. Also, if tipped over warm mist humidifiers can spill hot water on your baby, which could cause burns and other injuries. While this is much less likely with modern humidifiers, it is always better to be safe than sorry. Make sure to purchase a cool mist humidifier for your nursery.
Where should I put my baby humidifier?
Once you have the exactly right humidifier for your home and family, you need to know where to put it to receive the most benefits. Generally, you want to look for a location with a couple of features.
The best place to put the humidifier is completely out of reach of the baby. Even the electrical cord should be out of reach. No, cool mist humidifiers will not cause a burn, but any humidifier can hurt your child if it falls on them.
Make sure you put the humidifier in a place that will completely disperse the moisture. The moisture should completely go into the air. It should not be allowed to condense on any surface, which can cause mold and bacteria. Therefore, ensure you don’t point the humidifier at cribs, dressers, or other furniture.
Overall, the best place to put your air humidifier would be on a high dresser or shelf that is open to the rest of the room. Placing the humidifier in a corner would be great. But, at the very least it should face the widest part of the nursery.
How to clean my baby humidifier?
Cleaning a humidifier is essential for the health of your baby and your family. Moisture is a breeding ground for bacteria and mold. Both of these organisms can significantly harm your baby’s health. They could also make colds and dry skin worse.
A baby humidifier should be cleaned every one to three days. Your user’s manual will include the instructions for cleaning your specific model of a humidifier. However, in general you will take out the water tank and other washable parts. Then wash the washable materials with gentle soap and water. Make sure that the parts are rinsed well, and that the entire humidifier completely dries before you put it back together.
What season to use my baby humidifier?
In winter is when you should use the baby humidifier the most often. However, as stated above, anytime your baby has an eczema outbreak or congestion, you can use the humidifier regardless of the season.
We recommend using the humidifier regularly in winter because in cool and cold climates this is the driest time of year. Your baby may develop dry skin in the winter that they do not suffer from the rest of the year. By using a humidifier regularly you will keep your baby comfortable in this dry season.
Will a baby humidifier help fight the flu?
We’ve talked a lot about colds in this article. But, there is some evidence that a humidifier may also help fight the flu. Influenza can be a big problem for babies, so any help you can get fighting it the better.
There is some research to suggest that keeping your home at the correct humidity levels will lower you and your baby’s chance of getting the flu. Don’t provide too much humidity to overcompensate, as this can cause other problems. Keeping the moisture levels at about 75% is ideal for staying healthy during the flu season.
Baby humidifiers and aromatherapy.
You should never use a humidifier for aromatherapy if it is not also a diffuser. Diffusers reduce the oil particles properly and dilute. This keeps the oil from being breathable. You don’t want your baby to breathe and oil, so the ideal thing to do is purchase a humidifier that is also a diffuser.
Other things to do to keep your baby safe while using aromatherapy oils is to always use baby-safe products. Also, follow the guidelines for using the oils with babies. It is easier for babies to overdose on oil than it is for an adult. Following the guidelines will ensure that the aromatherapy helps and doesn’t hurt your baby.
Baby humidifiers and safety.
We’ve already touched on many of the safety concerns with humidifiers. But, we thought that we’d put the top concerns under this tips and tricks heading to ensure that they are easily found.
Anytime you use a humidifier, you run the risk of putting too much moisture in the air. Too much moisture means bacteria and mold growth. These organisms can harm your help and even destroy clothing, books, or other organic materials.
Because of the risk of bacteria and mold, you will also want to keep your humidifier clean and dry. Clean it every one to three days to keep the potential for mold and bacteria growth low.
Finally, always keep the humidifier and its cord out of the reach. You don’t want your baby to potentially pull the device down on itself. So, keeping everything out of reach will go a long way towards keeping your baby safe. If you use the humidifier as a diffuser, you should also keep the oils stored well out of reach.
Conclusion
The best baby humidifiers can treat and prevent a number of conditions that plague babies. Eczema, dry skin, colds, you name it, the best rated products can treat it. So, try out these amazing devices today. With the variation in the marketplace, you won’t have any trouble finding the product that will work best for your home and family.