Cough and cold season is definitely here and the dry air in your home can make your baby stuffy and uncomfortable.
When the temperature drops and we turn on the central heating (even at temperatures lower than normal), the nursery or the baby’s bedroom can quickly dry out from the heat. If your baby has a stuffy nose, cough or cold, removing moisture from the air can worsen symptoms, prevent him from breathing freely and leave him (and you) feeling tired and irritated due to sleep disturbances.
While it may not be the baby that matters, many parents find a baby humidifier to be a useful addition to their nursery or bedroom, especially in the winter. Here’s what you need to know.
What is a baby humidifier?
A dry room can make babies feel suffocated, causing a build-up of mucus that can prevent them from breathing freely, especially during sleep. In the winter months or on hot summer days, humidifiers can prevent dry air in the baby’s environment, adding moisture back to the room through a soft and gentle mist.
What are the benefits of a baby humidifier?
Humidifiers add moisture back into the air, increasing the overall humidity level. By doing so, they can clear the baby’s airways and help them breathe easier. They can also prevent dry air from baby’s sensitive skin, as dry air can be an irritant for dry skin conditions, allergies and eczema. In the winter months or during the cold season, a baby humidifier can also reduce the symptoms of coughing and blocked nose, in theory helping your baby sleep (and stay asleep) longer.
What to consider when buying a baby humidifier?
There are many different baby humidifiers to choose from, so here are a few things to consider when choosing:
- Cool or warm mist? – Some baby humidifiers warm the water in the tank before releasing the mist, but for use with younger babies, a cool mist humidifier is a safer option, avoiding the risk of accidents or burns.
- Room size – It is really important to choose the right size humidifier for the size of the room and most humidifiers will come with a recommended room size. Choose one that is too small for your child’s nursery and the benefits will be lost in the wide open space. Choose a humidifier that is too wide, but you can experience unwanted condensation, bacteria build-up or even mold.
- Easy cleaning – Baby humidifiers require the water to be changed regularly and the tank unit to be cleaned to avoid bacteria. Some humidifiers are easier to clean than others, so it’s worth checking how easy it is to assemble and disassemble yourself.
- Is it automatically turned off? – Some baby humidifiers come with automatic shut-off, which automatically turns off the humidifier when the water in the tank becomes low or runs out. When it’s not important; this is a welcome safety feature and prevents unnecessary waste of energy.
- Ease of use – You should also consider how easy the humidifier is to use and how to control it. Some of the more expensive humidifiers can be controlled remotely via a smart device such as a cell phone or Alexa, while others require a manual trigger.
- Additional Features? – Some humidifiers include additional features such as night lights or white noise or lullabies. Although not essential, it can prevent the need to buy additional things for the nursery and give you good money.
- Essential oils – Some baby humidifiers also have a diffuser for use with essential oils. It is important to check the age limit on this before using it with babies. Some essential oils are not suitable for babies and should only be used from the age of three months.
With this in mind, here are the best Baby Humidifiers you can buy today.
Baby humidifiers at a glance:
- Best for variable humidity levels: Babymoov Hygro Plus Ultrasonic Humidifier – £73.99, Amazon
- Best value for money: Hubble Mist 5-in-1 Humidifier – £18.50, Amazon
- Best for projection: Vicks Sweet Dreams Cool Mist Humidifier – £49.99, Amazon
- Best for smart control: Asakuki Wifi Smart Essential Oils Diffuser – £29.99, Amazon
- Best for budget-friendly options: Rio Dream Time Aroma diffuser / Humidifier / Nightlight – £25, Argos
- Best for large rooms: Levoit Classic 300S Smart Humidifier – £79.99, Amazon
- Best for easy cleaning: Vintoney Cool Mist Humidifier – £19.99, Amazon
- Best for night lights: Fridababy 3-in-1 Humidifier, Diffuser & Nightlight – £59.99, John Lewis
- Best for time: Crane Drop 2.0 Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier – £99, KiddiesKingdom
The best baby humidifier for you and your family will depend on the size of your room and your preferred use. That said, there are some humidifiers that really stand out to us.
For complete control and smart humidity adjustment, the Babymoov humidifier it is an excellent choice, offering a wide range of innovative features that will benefit most lifestyles and requirements.