You have just had a chat with your pediatrician courtesy of the runny nose, cough and other cold symptoms your Baby or child is experiencing.  And you have just got to understand how the viruses and bacteria thriving in that dry and stagnant air in baby room is contributing to the worsening of the symptoms. Your baby can’t have a good night’s sleep which follows that you are also up the whole night.  This is when you need to source for the best humidifier for babies with colds, baby cough, cold and congestion.

Whereas adults may not necessarily need a Humidifier, it is highly recommended for babies and young children as they are more susceptible to respiratory infections.

The moisture these machines disperse help loosen nose and throat congestion and thus calming your otherwise irritated baby. And that is encouraging especially when the pediatrics warn that the Over the counter the counter (OTC) cough and cold remedies are not to be administered to children below the age of two.  And that they may not be effective for children under 6!

Quick navigation

So, what are the benefits of the Best humidifier for babies?

What are the various types of Humidifiers?

Humidifier Mist production processes

How do I Choose the Best Humidifier for Babies with colds, baby cough, cold and congestion?

Recommended best humidifier

PureGuardian Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier: Silver clean protection and  Aroma tray for Essential Oils

Vicks Mini Filter-free Cool Mist: accept pads which produce soothing menthol vapors

Honeywell HUL520W Mist Mate Cool Mist: Budget friendly 

Vicks V745A  with Auto Shut-Off :Producing warm mist

Honeywell Germ Free HCM-350 cool mist: The easiest to clean

Which Tips and Precautions should I take into consideration when using the best humidifier for babies with colds, baby cough, cold and congestion?

Final thoughts on your Best humidifier for babies with colds, baby cough, cold and congestion

Quick comparison of the best humidifier for babies with colds, baby cough, cold and congestion

 

	Name	Mist	Technology	Details
	PureGuardian	cool	Ultrasonic	More info
	Vicks Mini Filter free	cool	ultrasonic	More info
	Vicks Warm mist	warm	Steam	More info
	Crane Adorable Ultrasonic	cool	ultrasonic	More info
	Honeywell Germ Free	cool	Wicking filter	More info

So, what are the benefits of the Best humidifier for babies with colds, baby cough, cold and congestion

A humidifier simply adds moisture into the environment we live in. And that is critical as dry air is not only uncomfortable, but it is also a health hazard. This is more so for babies and children whose body immunity is not fully developed. It is recommended that the humidity level in the environment should be between 30-50 percent. It is also highly recommended that you have a hygrometer to measure the humidity levels and ensure that that level is maintained. Should you find that the levels are below Levels below 30, then you need the  best humidifier for babies with colds, baby cough, cold and congestion.

Humidity level beyond 50% is also not good as it encourages growth of bacteria, mold, mites and other micro-organisms that are harmful to your health.  If the humidity is high, get a dehumidifier to soak up excess moisture.

So, how does running a humidifier benefit the baby?

For that baby who already has a cold, cough and congestion

Don’t you feel so helpless when baby is congested and is unable to expel the mucus?  Yet, the Pediatrics advice against giving over the counter drugs to cold patients who are under 2 years.

This is where a nursery humidifier comes in handy to help relieve the baby of those irritating symptoms. When the baby or child breathes in moistened air, the mucus which is causing congestion is  thinned out. This makes it easy to expel.

Moreover, the moist air also moistens the dry throat and reducing cough severity.

Furthermore, faster healing of sinuses is enhanced as the nasal passages are moistened.

For preventive measures

Moisten the nose and throat

Dry air is not good for mucus membranes in your nose and throat. You may be asking, so what if the nose or throat is dry? Well, the mucus membranes in your nose and throat work best when moist to trap and catch disease causing germs, dust etc. before they get into your body. When baby breathes in dry air, the mucus membranes dry out and cannot properly function.

Soon enough, they cannot trap the germs or dust and these germs find their way into the respiratory tract and your baby catches that cold, cough and gets congested and irritated and…

Did you know that dry air also leads to the nose getting too dry, cracked and a resultant nose bleed?

The best humidifier for babies with colds, baby cough, cold and congestion also assists in relieving other respiratory tract infections such as asthma, bronchitis, sinusitis etc.

In a nutshell, to enjoy optimal breathing functionality, keep the air moist.

Enjoy a good night of sleep

No sleep for baby=No sleep for you and everyone else in the home. And that means that the next day is not a productive day. The baby humidifier   assists relieve the irritating colds, cough, and congestion and thus allowing you to enjoy a good night of sleep and an enjoyable next day.

What about preventing a dry skin?

Dry air will also dry the baby’s skin.  The dry patches on the skin and chapped lips will get sore and baby will be restless.

Moreover, if your baby is suffering from chronic skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis etc., dry air worsen the condition.

To prevent the dry skin or chronic skin disease flair-ups, keep the right humidity level.  Let the baby’s skin soak in the mist diffused through your best humidifier for babies with colds, baby cough, cold and congestion.

White noise comfort

While you may prefer to sleep in a quiet room, babies enjoy the  whooshing sounds that remind them of the sounds in the womb. Moreover, this sound acts as a lullaby and drowns out noises like kids playing, television, dogs barking etc.

Save on heating energy bills

Cut down on your winter heating bill. The environments with higher humidity makes you feel warmer than actual temperatures reasons why it feels much warmer in coastal regions. As such, you can switch on your warm air humidifier or vaporizer and reduce your space heater settings.

What are the various types of Humidifiers?

Central humidifier

A central humidifier is one that humidifies the whole house and normally part of the home’s heating and air conditioning system.

Children’s humidifiers

These humidifiers are specifically designed for baby rooms/ nurseries. You get to choose from various attractive, colorful characters.

Ultrasonic humidifiers

These room humidifiers use an ultrasonic vibration to produce a cool mist and they are ‘whisper quiet’.

Cool mist vs Warm mist

Cool mist humidifiers diffuse room temperature or cooler mist. Since there is no need for heating, there is no danger of burns and you also save on the energy bill.

The units also cost less to run than warm mist humidifiers as there is no heating functionality.

Warm mist humidifiers diffuse warm air.  The unit boils water to produce a steam that is then cooled to dispense warm air. The advantage of boiling is that the high heat can kill germs and other allergens before they get diffused in the air.

However, the appliance heating element gets hot and may cause burns to baby. It is recommended that you keep a warm mist humidifier out of the baby’s reach.

Whether you choose a warm or cool mist humidifier, your baby’s cold, cough or congestion will get better as they breathe in moist air.

Humidifier Mist production processes

For Evaporative humidifiers, the water is absorbed into a wick and then expelled via a fan. The noise from the fan makes this type of humidifier noisy.

Impeller humidifiers use a spinning disc to disperse droplets of water into the air. It is critical that you fill this type of humidifier with de-mineralized or distilled water as regular tap water will also be diffused into the air together with germs and minerals.

Ultrasonic humidifiers use a high-frequency sound wave to vibrate the water which then creates mist. Though they do not have, they use replaceable demineralization cartridges.   It is advisable to use distilled water to avoid instances of the minerals emission as white or grey dust. They are however, the most quiet humidifiers.

How do I Choose the Best Humidifier for Babies with colds, baby cough, cold and congestion?

Do you prefer a cool or warm mist humidifier?

Apart from the safety concern associated with warm mist humidifiers, both work perfectly well to relieve the cold, cough and congestion.  If you find that you absolutely love that warm mist unit, just keep it out of baby’s reach to prevent burns.

Noise level

If your baby is averse to noise, avoid the evaporative and chose the ultrasonic ‘whisper quiet’ models.

Can you easily refill the water tank?

Is the tank detachable or you to carry the whole unit to the tap? Is it a top fill or you have to flip the tank upside down to refill? Is the tank opening wide?  The easier it is to fill the tank, the better.

Is the tank/ filter easily cleaned?

Your baby is already suffering from the cold, cough and congestion and you do not want to add more germs into the nose. In that case, you better not grow bacteria/ virus in the baby humidifier’s water tank or filter. Though each humidifier comes with specific cleaning instructions, consider cleaning out the tank and rinsing the filter before every use until your baby’s health improves.

And you do also have a choice of models that have anti “anti-microbial technology” in the form of silver ion or UV lights.

What will be the running cost?

It is good to note that filter room humidifiers will be changed regularly to ensure maximum performance. Some humidifiers do have permanent filters. Ensure that you can easily remove, clean and reuse.

Production of steam in the warm mist humidifying units will result in an additional energy cost.

Does the best humidifier for babies with colds, baby cough, cold and congestion have an automatic shut off sensor?

You do not want an appliance that is running and the tank is empty. Be safe, get one that senses when the tank runs out and shuts down the unit. The auto shut off = a saving on the electricity bill.

What is the humidifier capacity versus your room size?

Each humidifier is designed to serve a certain maximum room size.  Take note of your room measurements and compare against the baby humidifier capacity. Do not make the mistake of choosing one meant for a small room and expect it to humidify your large room.

Would you like to add scents/ oils in the baby humidifier?

Read the instructions before you add the scents. Some humidifiers are not designed to diffuse oils. And, consult your pediatrician before making a choice of the oils that will assist relieve the cold, cough and congestion.

Recommended best humidifier for babies with colds, baby cough, cold and congestion

PureGuardian Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier: Best humidifier for babies with colds, baby cough, cold and congestion  with Silver clean protection and  Aroma tray for Essential Oils

Cleaning

You will simply love the large opening while cleaning this baby humidifier. Just take off the lid and mist tube in the center, Make a 50:50 white vinegar / water solution and soak the tank for 5-10 minute. As the tank is soaking, clean the ultrasonic disk using the brush that is already provided for. Remember to clean up the mist tube as well and then make sure the tank and all parts are thoroughly rinsed.

Mold and mildew protection

As an added advantage for babies with colds, cough and congestion, PureGuardian’s Silver Clean Protection fights off mold and mildew growth on water tank surface.  Moreover, you can take it a step further and acquire aquasticks water cartridge (PureGuardian GGHS15). This cartridge will not only assist reduce mold/bacteria growth but also prolong the life of the water tank.

Moisture output

Imagine two mist outlets  at the humidifier top that swivel in different directions supplying a fine, soothing, cool mist via ultrasonic technology? Moreover, you decide where to direct this mist. This means if you move baby, you just redirect the moisture to the new position. Additionally, you can control how much mist output via variable speed knob.

Water tank

This best humidifier for babies with colds, baby cough, cold and congestion comes with a large 1.5 L(6.54 gallon) water reservoir.  Get this- on low setting and with right atmospheric conditions, the unit disperses 90 hours of continuous cool mist!

And it is easy to refill. Get a pitcher and pour in the water in the top fill opening.

At 90 hours, it is easy to forget when to refill but this top fill humidifier comes with a low water indicator light to alert you to refill and an auto shut off to shut it if the tank runs dry.

Room size

Small and medium sized rooms

Additional benefits

What essential oil did your pediatrician recommend when your baby has that cold, cough and congestion? Open the aromatherapy tray and pour in a few drops on the aromatherapy given pad. BUT, DO NOT PUT THE OILS IN THE WATER. It is good to note that you need to thoroughly wet the pad on first time use for that required impact. Also note that you purchase the essential oils separately.

This humidifier also has a night light and with a 3 year limited warranty.

Pros

• PureGuardian’s Silver Clean Protection fights off mold and mildew growth on water tank surface
• Large water reservoir allows several days of continuous mist on low setting
• Control of mist direction via Two mist outlets that swivel in different directions
• Essential oil benefit
• Indicator light and Auto shut off when tank is empty
• Whisper quiet thus a plus for the already irritated baby

Cons

• Some users find the On/Off light a bit too bright

 

 

Vicks Mini Filter-free Cool Mist: Best humidifier for babies with colds, baby cough, cold and congestion that accept pads which produce soothing menthol vapors

 

Moisture

This ultrasonic humidifier quietly disperses cool, visible mist. You can use the Mist-control knob to adjust the mist.

Filters

No need

Water tank

It has a detachable 0.5-gallon tank which can run for 20 hours on low. The tank is easily filled courtesy of the wide opening. The tank also has a handle to ease portability.  The humidifier shuts off automatically when tank is empty.

Cleaning

The wide opening makes it easy to clean

Added benefits

• • Accepts Vicks VapoPads for soothing menthol vapors (sample pad included)
  • added soft glow nightlight feature

Pros

• • Small space saver
  • Noiseless function
  • VapoPads rub soothing menthol vapors

Cons

• • Only for small rooms
  • Some water leakage when you pick up tank for refill
  • Fine white residue as there is no filter

Honeywell HUL520W Mist Mate Cool Mist: Budget friendly Best humidifier for babies with colds, baby cough, cold and congestion

Room size

Small room

Moisture output

The Honeywell MistMate uses ultrasonic technology to release a very fine but visible cool mist into the baby/ child room. LED lit control knob makes it easy to control the mist and you can spot it even in the dark.

Water tank

Honewell MistMate has a 0.5 gallon (1.9 litres) water tank that can runs for up to 18 hours. The small size makes it easy to transport. The water tank is large thus easy to refill. It has an auto shut off when the water tank gets empty.

Cleaning

Follow manufacturer instructions. To deal with mineral build up use white vinegar and combat the germs with a dilute chlorine bleach. But do not use both at the same time.

Added benefits

2 year limited warranty

Pros

• • Budget friendly humidifier for babies with colds, baby coughs and congestion
  • Small space saver
  • Auto shut off when tank runs dry
  • Silent operation
  • No filter required

Cons

• • Not for large rooms
  • White dust
  • More frequent refills than indicated on manual

Vicks V745A  with Auto Shut-Off : Best humidifier for babies with colds, baby cough, cold and congestion producing warm mist

 

 

Moisture

This room humidifier has a steam unit that boils water to create a warm mist in the room.  The steam is controlled via two different settings and it 95% bacteria free.

Safety

Should you forget to refill the tank, this humidifying unit has an Auto Shut-Off feature which shuts down the machine in case of the water tank running dry.

Water tank

Vicks Warm Mist Humidifier has a I gallon tank which will serve you for up to 12 hours of steam. And to reduce the chances of bacteria growth, the tank is designed to completely empty

Filter

None required

Added benefit

This air humidifier for babies with colds, baby cough and  congestion comes with a   medicine cup to place Vicks Vaposteam or KAZ inhalant into the unit . The Vaposteam assists to relieve those nagging colds /cough /congestion.

The night-light is sure to scare away those monsters that only children see when darkness sets in.

Pros

• • 95% of germs killed by hot steam
  • Medicated inhalants
  • Quiet operation
  • Night light

Cons

• • tough to clean heating element
  • constant cleaning needed
  • possibility of burns-Keep it out of children’s reach
  • heating bill may increase

Honeywell Germ Free HCM-350 cool mist: The easiest to clean Best humidifier for babies with colds, baby cough, cold and congestion

This is a standard wick-based room humidifier with a fan for moisture circulation.

Room size

Honeywell Germ free HCM- 350 is a cool mist humidifier that pumps out soothing fine moisture that will relieve those dry air discomforts in a medium room size. For best effect the recommended room size is up to 19 by 19 feet

Water tank

The break resistant, removable, 1 gallon water tank will last you 24 hours on a low setting. On a high setting, you will need to change the reservoir more than once a day. To refill the water tank, just remove the reservoir and fill it up from any sink or tub. The large filling hole makes it easy to fill without spilling.  Furthermore, the full reservoir is not too heavy to carry. However, you can save yourself that trip to the water outlet by storing a few bottles with clean water nearby.

Cleaning

Honeywell’s tank is easy to hold carry and clean.  It has been designed such that all parts that are likely to grow mold or bacteria are easily cleanable.  The plastic base is easy to clean.  To prevent spillage, do not move the humidifier around.

Filters

The Honeywell’s wicking filter gets rid of water impurities and thus reducing the white dust. Make a note to change this filter every 1 to 3 months depending on the quality of water and usage. While replacing, make sure you get the recommended Honeywell Replacement Wicking Filter model HAC504. This filter is treated with Protec antimicrobial to inhibit up to 99.99% of mold growth.

Tip…. For best performance and prolong the filter life, rinse and soak the filter as you refill the water tank and flip it so that the wet part is at the top. And do not leave the wet filter inside when the humidifier is off as this is a perfect environment for mold growth.  Soak it and let it dry until the next use.  When you find that the filter is extremely hard or getting dried out all the time despite the tips, replace it

Added benefit

Honeywell comes with a UV light that is said claimed to destroy over 99.9% of bacteria and is replaced after about 3,000 hours of use.

Speed setting and sound level

You can set the fan at low, medium and high depending on the moisture content you need the unit to pump out.   Keep in mind that as the setting increase, so will the noise this humidifier for babies with colds, baby cough and congestion will produce.

Pros

• • Germ free
  • Fine invisible mist
  • Easy to clean
  • 3 year limited warranty 30 day No questions asked return policy
  • No annoying lights

Cons

• • No auto shut off and the room humidifier runs like a fan when water runs out. On the upside this will air the filter and prevent mold growth
  • There is no indicator and you cannot clearly see when the tank is running dry but just keep in mind that if it is running on high, you will refill it more than once a day
  • Filter flipping and cost of filter replacement

Which Tips and Precautions should I take into consideration when using the best humidifier for babies with colds, baby cough, cold and congestion?

Inspect, properly assemble and operate the humidifier

Ensure you have received the unit in good order and condition and that all parts have been included in the package. In case of defects or missing parts, consult the seller.

Read the manufacturer’s user manual and follow the instructions to ensure that you correctly assemble and operate the humidifier.  Please note that many a user dissatisfaction may arise from wrong assembly or operation.

Keep the right humidity levels

Before you even start running your humidifier, you need to know the level of humidity in the environment your baby is living in.

As mentioned earlier, get a hygrometer to measure the humidity.  A humidifier that comes with an inbuilt humidistat would also be quite useful in setting and controlling the desired humidity levels.  If the humidity is too low, you may have to run the humidifier on high setting and vice versa.

It is good to note that the right level is 30-50%. Levels beyond 50% will result in breeding and proliferation of bacteria, mold, dust mites etc. Humidity below 30% is too dry and your baby’s cold, cough, and congestion will get worse.

When you get to use your best humidifier for babies with colds, baby cough, cold and congestion for the first time, be patient about the rise in humidity level. It might take longer as the air competes to soak in moisture with the furniture, carpets, curtains etc.

If you are using an evaporative humidifier in very dry environments, you may need to constantly wet the filter. This is because the water may be evaporating faster than the wick sucks it up from tank base. And, ensure the filter is always in tip top condition and replaced when recommended.

Cleaning

Follow the instructions that come with your best humidifier for babies colds, baby cough, cold and congestion to keep the humidifying unit as a dirty unit will encourage bacteria, fungus etc. growth. You are also likely to find lint, mineral deposits in the tank.

How often and how to clean is most likely indicated in the instructions. All the same, when baby is dealing with colds, cough and congestion, make a point of cleaning the water tank and base at every refill. Disinfect the machine and clean the filter every so often (every week or less) to prevent bacteria, mold, and mildew build up.

Use the cleaning agents as recommended by the manufacturer. However, most users prefer the white vinegar / water solution. A 20-30 soaking of all parts that come into contact with water or essential oils scrubbing and a thorough rinse will get the parts clean.  Then dry these parts with a soft dry absorbent cloth.  Whenever possible, let them air during the day.

Remember to also clean the filters using bottle brush or scrubber and if too dirty or hardened, replace with the recommended model.

Water tank refilling

When baby is down with an infection, it would be good to change water frequently. Depending on the tank capacity of your Best humidifier for babies with colds, baby cough, cold and congestion, consider a refill before sleeping.  This is critical if the unit does not have an inbuilt auto shut off when water runs out.

A number of reviewers have raised spillage concerns. Just ensure that rubber ring/ washer are placed right and the cap is properly and securely tightened.

Environment around the best humidifier for babies with colds, baby cough, cold and congestion

Children are prone to accidents. Dry any water spilled and where possible, open windows/doors to air the room during the day.  When you air the room, you also get to allow in fresh air and release some of the unclean air in the room.

Prevent Burns / other harm

Children are curious and whereas it’s recommended that you place your unit as close as possible to the baby, keep it beyond reach. You do not want your baby to play around with the hot warm mist humidifier, or pull the plugs or even trip over the cords or the humidifier causing accidents.

Fill your Best humidifier for babies with colds, baby cough, cold and congestion with distilled water

You are dealing with a baby who is not well and more germs /allergens should not be dispensed into the air they breathe.  Make use of distilled water rather than regular tap water especially when using filter free humidifiers.

You want your water tank to last longer?  Then, reduce the mineral deposits by using distilled water.

You may have read reviews where users are concerned with “white dust’ deposits.  Fill in distilled water and   you do not have to clean the mineral deposits as white / gray dust. Moreover, that dust will aggravate the baby’s infection.

Did you also know that regular tap water may contain toxic metal and industrial chemicals that are harmful to your baby? And that these substances build up in your baby’s bloodstream faster more due to the small weight and size? Now you know- get that bottle of distilled water.

Final thoughts on your Best humidifier for babies with colds, baby cough, cold and congestion

Now that you have made your choice of the Best humidifier for babies with colds, baby cough, cold and congestion, make sure you read the manufacturer’s instructions on how best to assemble and operate.  Get in touch with customer service for any clarifications. Also get in touch with other users and ask questions. For faster relief of the baby’s cold, cough and congestion, this cannot be overemphasized-keep the tank clean and water distilled.

Where there is need for filter, clean and replace with the RIGHT Model as required.

Have a cold, cough, congestion free day!

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