how do humidifiers work for babies breathing?

[lizzymcfizzy]

Hi

I am considering buying a humidifier for our house because its winter and bubby has had a stuffy nose already and is only 8 weeks old.

Just wondering how they work and if I should be buying a humidifier or something similar like a air purifier?

We have a wood fire or the heater on and I want to take away the dryness in the air and give us more moisturisation. Would a humidifier help a stuffy nose and dry skin for bub? And would it make the air warmer or cooler?

roughly how much do they cost? I've looked online and on ebay and they range from $50 to $300! and its confusing, I really don't know what I'm looking for.

Thanks In Advance.

[pookiesossige]

We have a wood fire or the heater on and I want to take away the dryness in the air and give us more moisturisation. Would a humidifier help a stuffy nose and dry skin for bub? And would it make the air warmer or cooler?

For this, just a steam vaporiser (Easy Life and Hippo ones are around the $50 mark) should do the trick. Increases humidity in the air which is better for tiny nasal passages and throats. Ours warms the rooms ever-so-slightly, but not much. Puts back into the air what the heater takes out :thumbsup: Definetly a great thing to have on hand!:yes:

[TeamAwesome]

They are supposed to be great in winter as is it get really dry so it rehydrates the air so to speak.

Get some fess little noses from your chemist... it's saline nose drops and a little snot sucker thing which will help and if you get a humidifier that will help maintain her snot free nose better

also if you buy euky bear rub or baby balsam and mix it up a bit with one third of either of those products with two thirds vaseline you can put that on him too. which will help. (by the way I mean mix up a bit on your hand just before putting it on her)

[carroll38]

We use a steam vaporiser during winter when our kids have colds.

But just a tip if using a vapouriser on an infant under 12mths old, do not add any inhalant fluids. Babies nasal passages are still developing and the inhalant fluids are usually too strong for their noses, so just stick to water inside the vapouriser.

Good luck!:)

[lizzymcfizzy]

thanks guys, steam it is :)

I have been using some of the little fess noses, thanks for the tip on baby balsam

[bpato]

Just a suggestion that wont cost you a thing.

If you have a wood fire just place a large saucepan full of water and maybe some eucalptys (sp???) in the water. It helps to stop the heat from the fire drying out the air. Mum's GP suggested for my younger brother when they had one put in.

We have used a steam vaporiser (TAAV Brand) with DS since he was little, and the one thing we were told to steer clear of is any inhalant with camphour in it as it can cause bubs to stops breathing apparently. We use the the vicks vapour with DS (it is about $10 fr a big botle and you can get it at Woolies). It smells great and is not to overpowering.

Hope this has helped.

Belinda

PS we claimed DS vaporiser back form our private health insurance too.

[JnA]

Babies and toddlers nasal passages and tracheas are very little, any slight mucus blocks them up quickly. Steam vaporisers help to keep the passages unblocked, and open to capacity.

There is no evidence that additions, like Vicks or eucalyptus oil, aids this process, but they do smell nice and won't do any harm.

A steamer is better than sitting in the bathroom running a hot tap these days due to water restrictions.

I highly recommend one and use mine at the first sign of a sniffle for Miss J, overnight.