When your baby has a cold, it seems like the entire world is coming to a stop right in front of you – which expresses the need for the best humidifier for baby cough, cold, and congestion.
They can’t seem to breathe properly, their nose is runny, and every cough that they do is breaking your heart in tiny pieces. All you want at this point is to ease their sleep and help them feel more comfortable.
A humidifier for the baby room can solve all these problems quite efficiently – but since there are so many products on the market, it can be difficult to pick the right one. So, this guide will give you a few suggestions, along with a few tips to pick the perfect unit for your baby. Overall, the moisture released by these devices should loosen your baby’s nose congestion, calm their throat, and make them feel better.
Best Humidifier for Baby Congestion
Baby congestion is difficult not only for the child but also for the parent. They cannot breathe through their nose, causing them to feel irritable because they are uncomfortable. This is why you need a humidifier to loosen the mucus forming in their nose.
What Kind of Humidifier Is Best for Baby Congestion?
Last update on 2021-01-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
When it comes to baby congestion, you may want to go for a cool-mist humidifier that can make the air easier to breathe. Units with scented pads, particularly menthol ones are also recommended, as they can help clear the sinuses with their sharp smell. Here are some popular options so that you may pick the best humidifier for baby congestion.
1. Vicks Mini Filter-Free Cool Mist Humidifier for Baby Bedrooms
Last update on 2021-01-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
If you are searching for a quiet humidifier that will soothe your baby’s congestion and allow them to breathe easily throughout the night, then you should look no further that the Vicks mini filter-free humidifier. This unit disperses cool mist in the room without any noise, moisturizing the air and clearing your baby’s sinuses.
The device is very easy to use and maintain, as it does not have any filters. At half a gallon, the tank is also quite big, ensuring a runtime of about 20 hours. This is a good option if you do not have time to continuously fill the tank several times a day. Plus, when the tank is empty, the unit will shut itself off.
This unit also features lavender and menthol vapor pads. This further eases their congestion and allows for a calming sleepy time, making both the parent and the baby happy.
Pros
- It is compact and saves quite a lot of space
- The vapor pads release soothing fragrances for the baby
- It makes no noise when running
- Easy to maintain as it doesn’t have a filter
Cons
- It is only efficient for small rooms
- Since it doesn’t have a filter, it has a fine white residue
2. UCAREAIR Humidifier for Baby Bedroom
Last update on 2021-01-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
If you are looking for a portable humidifier that is very easy to clean and maintain, then you might want to give this UCAREAIR unit a try. You can buy it in blue, pink, light grey, or white depending on what color theme your baby room has or what your personal preferences are.
This unit is perfect for baby congestion of any level, as it has two setting levels for mist: low and high. The half a gallon tank is also quite spacious, allowing you to easily humidify a 200 sq. ft. nursery room for 10 hours.
The UCAREAIR does not need any filters, making its maintenance quite easy. It saves money on replacements, and it is also easy to clean – so, it is a hassle-free purchase. Paired with its auto shut-off system, this unit is perfect if you don’t have time to deal with humidifiers (you’ll be busy with the baby anyway).
Pros
- Very easy to use
- Generously sized tank
- Portable and compact
- Cute design for the nursery
Cons
- The water may occasionally leak from the tank
- It goes through quite a lot of water every day
3. TaoTronics 3-IN-1 Humidifier with Essential Oil Diffuser
Last update on 2021-01-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
If you want your humidifier to look cute in your baby’s room, then you might want to give this TaoTronics unit a try. Shaped like a whale, this one will look adorable in the nursery – like a toy, but a more useful one. Plus, it is made from BPA-free materials, making it a safe choice for babies.
Running at 24 dB, this humidifier is extremely quiet. There’s no beeping coming from it, no fan sounds, and no water dripping sounds. This is quite a good choice if your baby has trouble sleeping because of the congestion. The last thing you want is to wake them up with a loud humidifier.
You can purchase this humidifier in red or white, depending on the color theme of your nursery. Plus, it has a soft night light to soothe your baby throughout the night. This way, they won’t feel scared when they wake up in the middle of the night, as the room won’t be dark.
Pros
- Adorable design
- Very quiet action
- Releases enough humidity
- Also has a fragrance diffuser
Cons
- Might not last very long
- Mold can gather quickly around the parts and the unit is difficult to clean
4. Vicks Starry Night Cool Moisture Humidifier with Projector
Last update on 2021-01-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Kids love starry skies, which is why this humidifier from Vicks is such a cool product. Featuring a projector that shows (obviously) the starry sky, it should be able to soothe your baby and keep them distracted until the humidifier clears their sinuses.
This unit can be purchased in pink and blue, depending on the color theme of the nursery. It also features a wide tank that allows you to easily fill it. Plus, it is simple to clean, making it a convenient choice if all your time is spent calming your fussing baby.
Due to its soothing menthol pad heaters, the Vicks is perfect for children who are struggling with congestion. The sharp scent will release their sinuses, allowing them to breathe more easily.
Pros
- The starry sky is an entertaining and soothing choice for children
- The water tank has a generous size
- Naturally adjusts the moisture to achieve the perfect humidity level
- Longer warranty in comparison to other units
Cons
- It features an intensive cleaning process that you need to adhere to weekly
- It may require you to buy additional filters every month
Best Humidifier for Baby Cold
Baby colds can be rather difficult to handle. If your child is running a fever, feeling chills, struggling with a sore throat, and overall feels ill, hydration is the only thing that can speed up the healing process. Internally, they can drink a lot of liquids – but externally, they might draw out moisture from the air.
What Kind of Humidifier Is Best for Baby Cold?
Last update on 2021-01-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
When it comes to the best humidifier for baby cold, there are quite a few options that you may go for – but what matters is that they bring moisture in the air. When your baby has a cold, they will cough and have a runny nose – so, you need a device that can keep a constant humidity level to lessen their symptoms. Here are some of the most popular options that you may want to try out.
1. Pure Guardian H1175WCA Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier
Last update on 2021-01-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
If you don’t want to struggle continuously with a difficult-to-fill humidifier, then you might want to go for this Pure Guardian model. Featuring a very large opening, not only will it be easy for you to fill the water tank, but you should also be able to clean it rapidly whenever it is necessary.
This unit is easy to maintain, as it doesn’t get dirty immediately. This is thanks to the Silver Clean protected tank that will prevent the growth of mold. At the same time, it will ensure that the moisture sent into the air is clean, allowing your baby to heal from their cold.
This device features an aromatherapy tray that allows you to put in your favorite essential oils for colds. If your child has trouble breathing, you can add some drops of menthol. If they can’t fall asleep due to the cold, then you may add some lavender to soothe them. It’s up to whatever allows them to feel better.
Pros
- Silver Clean protection on the tank prevents mold and mildew growth
- You may add essential oils in the aromatherapy tray
- Very quiet so it doesn’t bother the already fussy baby
- It features an indicator light for the water tank
- Auto shut-off system
Cons
- The light may feel rather bright
2. GENIANI Top Fill Cool Mist Humidifier for Bedroom
Last update on 2021-01-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Babies with a cold will not only need the room to be at a proper humidity level, but they may also need a certain scent to feel better. Since the right essential oil can help anyone get over a cold much quicker, a humidifier with a diffuser might be exactly what you need for your baby’s cold.
At a 38dB noise level, this unit is fairly quiet. It will allow your baby to sleep soundly, and they will not be woken up by any noises coming from the diffuser. This is a convenient choice if your baby is already ill and feeling that they can’t sleep through their cold.
This Geniani model is perfect for nurseries due to the fact that it also has a night light. The light isn’t that strong to keep your baby up at night, but it’s efficient enough to soothe them to sleep. This way, they won’t wake up in the middle of the night feeling scared of the dark.
Pros
- Soothing night light that allows the baby to easily fall into sleep
- Reduced noise level for already-irritated babies
- Ease to use and maintain
- Moisturizes your baby’s skin and sinuses, relieving their cold
Cons
- The steps to get it working might take extra time
- It may make the floor damp around the humidifier
3. MOVTIP Portable Mini Cool Mist Humidifier
Last update on 2021-01-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
If you are looking for something more compact and fitting for a baby’s room, then you might want to give this Movtip humidifier a try. No matter if you want to place it in the nursery or in whichever room the baby is, this small humidifier has enough power to moisturize the baby’s skin and allows them to feel hydrated. It can also reduce skin peeling, a condition that commonly occurs when a baby has a cold.
This unit has two mist spraying modes: a continuous and an intermittent one. The first one will continuously spray mist for about 12 hours, whereas the second one will stop two seconds after each spray – therefore, giving it an 18-hour runtime.
It’s very easy to control, as all you have to do is press just one button to get it going. Its 500ml water tank is very easy to clean, and it also has quite a beautiful design that will look great in every nursery.
Pros
- The two modes allow you to control the mist spraying level and the runtime
- Defogging properties that will increase the humidity without bothering the baby
- The compact form allows you to use it even in smaller nurseries
Cons
- You cannot add essential oils to this humidifier
4. Frida Baby 3-in-1 Humidifier with Diffuser
Last update on 2021-01-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This ultrasonic humidifier is perfect for babies with a cold, as it can easily turn water in a cool mist – therefore hydrating the baby’s skin. You can easily adjust the mist from gentle to tropical, depending on how much humidity your baby needs to get over their cold.
The unit was made from durable materials, meaning that it can last for quite some time. Plus, the water tank is BPA-free, making it a completely suitable choice for your baby’s room. It also has a color-changing night light, which can soothe your irritated baby to sleep.
Featuring a diffuser, this one also allows you to add the vapor drops coming with the diffuser – but at the same time, you might use any essential oils designed for aromatherapy. This should allow your baby to breathe much easier – something that might greatly benefit them when they have a cold.
Pros
- It has two modes in which mist is delivered
- The aromatherapy function helps with baby colds
- You can choose from any of the colors to fit the color theme of the nursery
- The detachable plug is very convenient
Cons
- The opening of the water tank is quite small
- It beeps when it turns on, which can disturb the baby
Best Humidifier for Baby Cough
Coughing is something that can commonly occur when your baby has a cold. Their irritated throat can keep them up at night, crying, which is why the best humidifier for baby cough is something that you certainly want to invest in.
What Kind of Humidifier Is Best for a Cough?
Last update on 2021-01-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
When your baby is coughing, a cool-mist humidifier can add moisture into the air and relieve the cough. It can generally help with both dry and wet coughing, as it will allow the mucus to flow out and will soothe your baby’s throat. Here are a few popular options that you might want to try.
1. Honeywell HCM350W Germ Free Cool Mist Humidifier
Last update on 2021-01-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Germs are the last thing that you want to have in your baby’s nursery when they have a cough, which is why this Honeywell humidifier might be exactly what you need. With the ability to add cool moisture into the air, it can hydrate your baby’s skin and soothe their irritated throat so that they can get better much faster.
This humidifier provides filtered cool moisture. Featuring evaporative technology, it can blow moisture through a wicking filter – ensuring that the air stays nice and clean. Plus, with this evaporative technology, you can be sure that the room will only be as humid as it needs to be.
With its ability to maintain indoor humidity levels properly, this item can also reduce the survival of viruses on surfaces. This way, if your child has a cough caused by a cold or the flu, the risk of spreading it will lessen. It is also very easy to maintain and clean, making it a great choice if your baby’s fussing takes most of your time.
Pros
- Very spacious 1-gallon water tank
- You may easily clean and maintain the unit
- Can humidify even larger nursery rooms
- The noise level is quite low
Cons
- The lid of the tank might pose some cleaning troubles
- You will have to regularly buy new filters
2. LEVOIT Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier for Bedroom and Babies
Last update on 2021-01-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
If your baby is continuously woken up by their own coughing, then you may want to try out this one. At 24dB, this Levoit humidifier is barely audible, making it the perfect choice for helping your already-irritated baby sleep.
This unit features three mist levels, depending on the humidity of the room and your baby’s coughing. If the dry air is making your baby cough badly, then the higher settings will moisten the air and soothe your baby’s throat. The unit can run for 24 hours at a low setting and a bit over 9 at the highest, allowing you to adjust the mist delivery in a way that is convenient for you.
Unlike other units that will run the night light whether you like it or not, this one makes it optional. Therefore, if your baby is easily bothered or woken up by lights, you can choose not to have that light running.
Pros
- Very efficient and powerful mist delivering properties
- Decent runtime even on the highest setting
- Very easy to clean
- The night light is optional
- Whisper quiet action
Cons
- You can only use distilled water with it
- It requires consistent cleaning and maintenance
3. Crane Drop Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier for Baby Nursery
Last update on 2021-01-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Are you looking for a cute humidifier to work perfectly with your baby’s room? Well, in this case, you might want to give the Crane ultrasonic humidifier a try. Shaped in a drop and available in a variety of colors, you can place in it any nursery, regardless of its color theme.
This unit features a variable speed setting, meaning that you can adjust it based on the humidity level. If your baby has more of a dry cough, you may put it on the higher setting so that they may get the humidity that they need. Paired with its 1-gallon tank, you may be sure that you have long-lasting action with generous mist, up to 24 hours.
This humidifier was made using anti-bacterial clean control material, which can reduce bacteria growth by up to 99.96%. Plus, it has a super quiet action that will not disturb your baby – something that you will need when they are continuously woken up by their own coughs.
Pros
- Variable speed settings for different mist levels
- Very efficient in preventing further bacterial growth
- Aesthetic teardrop design
- Quiet action
- The tank is very easy to fill
Cons
- The top cone cap occasionally leaks mist
How Do Humidifiers Help with Baby Congestion, Cold, and Cough?
When your baby has a cold, mucus tends to form in their sinuses, preventing them to breathe properly. The drier the air is, and the more dehydrated they are, the thicker that mucus is going to be and the more difficult it’s going to be to expel.
That being said, when the air has the right level of moisture in it, the mucus will be thinned out by the humidity – allowing the baby to breathe better. If the mucus loosens, it should be much easier for the baby to expel it, allowing them to get better much faster.
Moreover, dry air leads to more severe coughing fits. Humidity-related coughs can be treated in several ways, but the most efficient way is to get a humidifier. The moistened air will soothe their throat, lessening the severity of the cough.
Last but not least, babies become highly dehydrated when exposed to certain cold or flu symptoms such as fever. A humidifier will help moisturize their skin, lessening their dehydration level.
Warm Mist vs. Cool Mist Humidifiers for Baby Rooms
Perhaps the most important thing to consider when looking for a humidifier is whether you should go for a warm mist or a cool-mist humidifier. Both can be very efficient, but what you need to remember is that by the time it reaches the airway of your baby, the temperature will be just the same. It might be efficient if you want to slightly raise the temperature in the nursery, but this can be easily resolved with a good HVAC system.
Warm steam can be very effective when it comes to clearing congestion – similar to the way in which a steam shower helps clear your nose. However, due to the fact that it uses heat, it might turn into a safety hazard in your baby’s room. It is also not recommended to leave a warm mist humidifier on overnight in your baby’s room.
For this reason, the best humidifier for baby cold, cough, and congestion is considered to be the cool mist humidifier. It brings all the moisture that you need in your baby’s room, without making way for any safety hazards. Plus, it can bring moisture overnight in the room – something quite necessary, considering that cold symptoms generally worsen at night.
Things to Consider when Looking for a Baby Humidifier
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Water Capacity
How generous is the unit’s water capacity? Bear in mind that the smaller the tank, the more frequently you will have to fill it. On average, a 1-gallon tank should last for about 24 hours.
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Diffuser Function
Can you use the humidifier as a diffuser as well? Adding essential oils in the unit can help soothe the cold, cough, and congestion of the baby. Make sure to avoid all common essential oil mistakes when you are loading your humidifier.
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Night Light
If your child does not like being in the dark, then you might want to go for a humidifier that also has a night light. Depending on how fussy your baby is, you should choose one with adjustable light settings or one that can be turned off when not needed.
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Timer Settings
You probably don’t want your humidifier to work continuously, in which case you should look for something that has several timer settings. Some allow you to set when the humidifier should shut down or turn on, whereas others will shut down automatically when the water tank is empty.
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Noise Operation
When your baby has a cough and has a runny nose, the last thing you want is for them to be woken up by the humidifier. While every baby has different levels when it comes to noise tolerance, you need to go for something very quiet. On average, 24 dB is an ideal level.
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Ease of Use
How easy is it to fill the water tank? Can you easily clean and maintain it? You have a sick baby to tend to, and the last thing you want is to struggle continuously with your humidifier.
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Running Cost
Some humidifiers might require you to change filters to keep them running. You should check exactly how expensive they are and how often you will have to change them. This should help you set an average running cost.
Types of Humidifiers for Baby Congestion, Cough, and Cold
Humidifiers come in three types, each of them working differently for your baby’s condition. Here is what you may go for:
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Evaporative Humidifiers
With evaporative humidifiers, the water goes through a wick and then is sent out through a fan. Because of that fan, they may be quite loud and can wake up children struggling with a cough.
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Impeller Humidifiers
Impeller humidifiers use spinning disks in order to send water droplets in the air. So, these have to be used with distilled water, since regular water may push germs in the air. This is the last thing that you want for a baby that already has a cold.
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Ultrasonic Humidifiers
Ultrasonic humidifiers are the most popular choice, as they vibrate the water into the air, creating a mist. They are a great option if your baby has congestion or a cough, as the fine mist will help soothe the sinuses. They are also among the quietest humidifiers.
Ultrasonic humidifiers make use of replaceable demineralization cartridges. When your baby has nasal congestion or general sinus problems, the last thing you may want is to have minerals floating into the air. This is why an ultrasonic humidifier is considered to be the best humidifier for baby congestion.
Tips and Precautions in Choosing the Best Humidifier for Baby Congestion, Coughs and Colds
To ensure that you only get the best humidifier for baby cold, regardless of the symptoms that they have, you might want to consider the following tips:
- If you wish to get a humidifier in which you can add essential oils to ease nose congestion, you might want to buy something that includes a diffuser. While some units may allow you to add scents, others may not.
- Consider the size of your nursery when buying a humidifier. If your baby’s room is around 100 sq. ft., look for a humidifier that can cover it.
- Keep your habits and general availability in mind. If you don’t want to continuously replace filters, you might want to get a model without a filter.
You should always do plenty of research, no matter if you are looking for the best humidifier for baby cough, or you simply want to ease their breathing.
FAQs
There are quite a number of questions that arise when looking for the best humidifier for baby cold, cough, and congestion, which is why you need to be attentive. Here are some answers to the most common questions.
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Which Is Better for Baby Congestion, Cold, Cough: Vaporizer or Humidifier?
Humidifiers generally release cool mist in the air – so, their purpose is to add moisture in the air. On the other hand, vaporizers release warm mist (steam). Vaporizers are a great choice when it comes to congestion, as the steam element should help loosen the mucus more.
However, because of safety hazard reasons, cool-mist humidifiers are the recommended choice. Still, no matter which you use, you will get the same effect. Standard humidifiers can do the same thing for the sinuses that vaporizers do, and some believe that the best humidifier for baby congestion is one that releases cool mist. It’s safer, and it can be run at all times.
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Can Humidifiers Worsen Congestion, Cough or Cold?
Under normal circumstances, a humidifier cannot make your baby’s condition worse; it can only make you feel better. However, unless you clean and maintain the unit properly, a humidifier may also release mold and bacteria in the air – something that might cause your baby’s sinuses to flare up.
At the same time, if your baby can’t breathe through the nose and does so through the mouth, the bacteria will begin to scratch at their throat, making their cough worse and worsening their cold conditions. For a humidifier to work properly, you need to carefully follow the maintenance instructions.
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What Can I Put in the Humidifier for Congestion?
When your baby is struggling with congestion, you may want to add a little extra to your humidifier – in other words, essential oils for sinus problems. You might want to go for ones that have a sharper smell or with the right medicinal properties, as they can penetrate your baby’s sinuses much easier. In most cases, tea tree, peppermint, eucalyptus, and oregano essential oils are the most efficient when it comes to tackling baby congestion.
Conclusion
Humidifiers are a great way to keep your baby’s sinuses clear, to reduce their coughing, and to overall make their cold go away. In order for that to happen, you need to pick out the best humidifier for baby congestion, cold, and cough. Hopefully, our guide was helpful in easing your decision.
