As parents, we always want to give our baby the best of everything. More and more people choose to use a humidifier in their baby’s room, and you may be wondering if you need to get one for your baby and where to place it.
Babies are more sensitive than us. Therefore you should exercise caution when placing a humidifier in their room.
Generally, you should put the humidifier 3 to 4 feet away from the crib and avoid the reach of curious hands. A humidifier may not be necessary for your baby if you live in a humid area.
I’ll go over the benefits and drawbacks of using a humidifier in the baby’s room, as well as show you how to properly position a humidifier in the nursery. This post contains many useful tips, so let’s get started!
Does your baby need a humidifier?
The main reason people choose to use humidifiers is that they are effective in combating dryness.
Because our mucus membranes dry out and lose their ability to fight bacteria and fungus in an arid environment, many conditions such as congestion, asthma, and snoring develop. Using a humidifier can relieve these conditions by raising the humidity level.
Our baby is more vulnerable to these ailments than we are because their immune system is underdeveloped. As a result, babies can benefit more than we do from using a humidifier.
However, staying in an over humidified place can wreak havoc on our health. If you already live in a humid area, using a humidifier in your baby’s room may not be a sensible idea as it will promote the growth of mold and bacteria, posing health risks to your baby.
So you should check the indoor humidity level to decide whether or not using a humidifier is necessary for your baby. Typically, 40% to 60% is a proper humidity level for a baby.
Proper humidifier placement in baby’s room
Once you’ve determined that your baby requires a humidifier, you’ll need to decide where to put it in the baby’s room and how close a humidifier should be to your baby.
In the middle of the room
It is a general rule of thumb that humidifiers should be placed in the center of the room. Instead of accumulating in a small area, the mist can disperse evenly throughout the room.
Humidifiers tend to create a concentrated area around the machine. If you place the humidifier in the corner, the excess moisture can easily adhere to the wall, fostering mold growth. When mold spores get into your baby’s body, it can lead to dangerous situations.
3 to 4 feet away from the crib
Even though your little bean can reap many benefits from using a humidifier, you shouldn’t place a humidifier too close to them.
Typically, keeping the humidifier 3 or 4 feet away from the crib would be great. This distance ensures your little one can receive adequate moisture without damping the bedding, pillow, or other stuff in the crib.
When these things get wet, they will become another breeding ground for microorganisms. Bugs and roaches will be drawn to them as well.
Keep in mind that if your humidifier is too powerful, you may need to adjust it further. Sitting near the crib for a while to see if the mist can land on your body is an excellent way to test it. If yes, the distance is too short for your baby.
Out of reach
Babies are curious about everything, including the humidifier. If your little one can access the humidifier, the cord can be pulled out, and the tank can be tipped over. Either situation can put your baby at risk, like electrical shocks or burns.
Place the humidifier on an elevated surface so that the baby cannot reach it while crawling or walking.
Stable surface
Again, babies are curious, and they treat everything as their toys. It is not uncommon to see babies shaking chairs and tables in order to explore their surroundings.
Hence, placing a humidifier on a stable surface becomes more important in your baby’s room. After all, the last thing you want to see is the humidifier falling to the ground. It will not only damage your device but also pose a risk of burns.
Placement to avoid in baby’s room
When using a humidifier for your baby, you must avoid certain placements. Please pay close attention since they may cause harmful consequences.
Don’t place it on the floor
Placing a humidifier on the floor is dangerous for both your baby and yourself. If your baby is able to crawl or walk, they tend to play with the machine and the cord, which can make your little one fall prey to an electrical shock.
Even if your baby is relatively small, it can get you tripped. Assume you are carrying your child and are tripped by the cord. How dangerous it could be.
Don’t place it too close to the outlet
As previously stated, humidifiers can produce an excessive amount of humidity in a small area. If you place it close to the outlet, moisture may enter. The water in the outlet will eventually cause a short circuit or even a fire.
Don’t place it near a heating source
Most humidifiers are electronics. If you place it near a heating source, the parts may warp and cause the device to malfunction.
If you want to place a humidifier on a radiator, you can buy a non-electric ceramic or metal radiator humidifier.
Pros of using a humidifier in baby’s room
If you are on the fence about buying a humidifier for your baby, you may want to know better about the benefits your baby can get.
1. Soothe dry skin. The baby’s skin is fragile and prone to irritation, redness, and eczema. Using a humidifier can keep the skin in a good state and away from infections.
2. Relieve nasal congestion. Nasal congestion is a common condition for newborns and infants. A humidifier can keep the mucus membrane moistened and the airway open. Your baby will feel more comfortable and have a better sleep.
3. Fewer bacteria, mold, and allergens in the air. Your little pea doesn’t have an immune system as strong as our adults, meaning that they can be more susceptible to germs in the room. When the air is humidified, fewer impurities float around, resulting in fewer attacks on your baby.
4. Provide white noise for your baby. While some humidifiers can make large noise, some models can produce the sound of water flow that your baby will enjoy. It is not a surprise to see a humidifier help with reducing the number of sleepless nights for new parents.
Cons of using a humidifier in baby’s room
1. Dirty humidifier can promote the growth of germs. When cleaning is overdue, the humidifier can serve as the peri dish of microorganisms. When these germs enter the air, they will put your little one at risk. To prevent this, you should change out the water every day and clean the device every three days.
2. Make noise. Some models can produce noise that disturbs the sleep of your baby. Before making a purchase, you should conduct a test or carefully read the reviews.
Which type of humidifier is the best for the baby’s room?
Cool mist humidifiers are the best for babies. If you use a vaporizer or warm mist humidifier, the water vapor that is accidentally spilled out can cause burns and scalding.
Regarding the noise, ultrasonic humidifiers are usually quieter than evaporative models since evaporative models utilize a fan to blow out the moisture particles.
Nonetheless, evaporative humidifiers could be preferable if you aren’t sure if you can commit to regular cleaning because they employ a wick to filter out the impurities.
Conclusion
Many factors must be considered when deciding where to place a humidifier in a baby’s room.
The mist from the device can wet the bedding and toys if the distance between the device and the crib is too short. For most baby rooms, 3 to 4 feet is ideal.
You have to place it high off the ground and on a stable surface as your little pea are so curious about the world, and they just want to tip over the humidifier to find out what it is.
It is better to be safe than sorry, so the cool mist humidifier would be better for most parents.
As long as you find a good place for the humidifier, your baby will be happy enough to have a humidifier in their room.
