Vapouriser..?

[Chumps]

After both myself & bub recently suffering a bout of the cold, it was suggested to me to invest in a vapouriser. I've done a bit of a google on them, but just wanted some first hand comments :) .

Anyone out there have one? Use it often? Find it useful? Worth getting one for next time we have a cold and are all stuffy? What brand do you have? any problems with it? Blah, Blah - Any info would be greatly appreciated.

[Chickadee]

I've used mine once. And quite frankly keep forgetting we have it. Given the choice again I'd probably try renting one instead of buying. Unless you have several kids or chronic illness it may not be worth buying.

[rainbowbaby]

:wave: Hi I agree, maybe try and rent one first and see if you like it. My little girl seems to sleep better if she has a cold and have it on, however I had a cold a few weeks ago and used it and found it really hard to sleep the noise of it!!!!!!

Good luck

[misskittyfantastico]

We have one and have used it a lot this winter - DD has had croup 3 times!!. I borrowed one of a friend the first time and it was great so when she got the second bout we bought one. I have a vicks one - about $50. I'd probably hire or borrow one to begin with:)

[Briswegian]

I bought one a few years ago and it's great when the kids are sick...colds/coughs.
I think if you have littlies....it's worth it.

[missie_mack]

I have one and have been using them since I was a little girl. I dont always use it with eucalptus or a oil just water depending on how I feel. Highly recommend them for "chesty" colds to clear your chest. Anything that can be relieved by hoping in the shower will benefit. I have one because Im asthmatic but Ive lent it to tonnes of friends for bubbas with colds cause they get so snuffly.

The only issue Ive ever found was a paint issue where the paint dripped down the walls- mind you that was an issue my mum had when I was a little girl and hasnt repeated.

Good luck on deciding. Everyone has different issues and opinions, you need to decide based on your needs

[Chumps]

Thanks everyone. Might look around & see what I can find. Hopefully we won't need one in the next little while! It's something that never crossed my mind until this cold (which I got quite a nice dose of) and was unable to rely on the ol' sudafed (due to breastfeeding). Might look into hiring one before I purchase. Can't imagine they would be too expensive to hire. Thanks again.

[squishysmum]

We recently bought one for the same reason. Ended up buying the TAV as not much different to the other brand (can't remember the name) but a little cheaper. Also it seemed to be the most popular from my net research. Seems to work well. The one thing I am not thrilled about are the cleaning tablets you are supposed to use each time. $5 for 10. I considered not using them, but doing so will void the warranty! :mad:
My only issue with vaporisers in general is the amount of condensation that forms, there was a lot of water running down the window sill and wall. So have been hesitant to use it again. DH suggested leaving the door open but won't that defeat the purpose?? Instructions say to ventilate room well, not always possible to open the windows though as they have no shelter so I have to keep them closed in the rain.:gloomy:

[bindiloo]

I absolutely love my vaporizer,ita called a TAAV and it cost me $39 at the chemist. It comes with 1 packet of the tablets and you just have to buy the oil seperately but you dont go thru them that quick. Ive used it heaps and dd is nearly 4mnths.
DH came home twice now with colds so even just on cold days ill have it going in the lounge room for the day and maybe once or twice in her bedroom a week. I dont close her bedroom door when i have it on as it pretty strong.

[jkate]

I brought one, and only used it once or twice, I found it made me feel worse. made my throat itchy and eyes sore. Last time the boys were sick I had a look at it and it was reallly dirty so it needs a good clean. The other problem I have is where to put it, with a curious 3 yr old, he might just go an explore :shame: even though we would tell him not to.....when do they start listening to you :laughing:

[gremily]

Ours has been used by us, family and friends more than the odd occasion. My SIL borrowed it while her son had croup.
I think ours is a KAZ, which you buy the special oil stuff to use with it, but I've taken to just using eucalyptus essential oil instead which works just as good. I've also used lavender essential oil in it.

Ours can be a bit of a pain to empty the water, but I'm not sure if they're all like that.
It should have a 'cut off' point, so if the water gets to low it shuts off. A big MUST if you're planning on using it overnight like we do.

[Cheekychops]

I'm looking at getting one too, they sell the Vicks ones at our chemist for about $45, my friend has one and loves it....

[LucyE]

We have the Vicks one. I told DH to hire one but it worked out cheaper to just buy it instead.

We don't use anything but plain water in ours and find it fantastic for stuffy noses. I leave the door open (because DS is afraid of the dark and being shut in) and although it does let a bit of the steam out, at least it doesn't leave water condensation marks on the ceiling. The instructions for cleaning are to use just plain 'ole white vinegar so much cheaper (and more natural) than having to buy special tablets etc.

The main reason I chose the Vicks was that it's the only one that cools the steam down before releasing it to minimise any risk of burns with curious toddlers. The unit can get a bit warm to the touch but not hot enough to seriously burn. The only other downside (for some) is that it is quite a noisy unit but I've found the bubbling actually helps DS sleep better.

[Issey]

I bought a TAAV one from the Chemist for about $35. I open the window slightly when I have it on but shut bubs door. You can buy the cleaning tablets in packs of 30 I am sure they were only about $4.50, so that will last using the steamer for 30 nights in total, I empty each night I am using, rinse and refill.

Please be aware that for bubs under two you are only supposed to use water and not the eucaliptus oil (sorry can't spell) in it as it is too strong. It tells you this on the bottle. It is the steam that does the trick anyway. You can always rub some vicks on bubs BUT the babybalm version NOT adult. They have different ingredients and you should use the one specifically for babies.

[2s'nuff]

I bought one last winter and only used it a few nights. Too much moisture in the room the next morning for our timber floors to use often.

I think I saw something advertised on TV a couple months or so ago that you plug into the power point. It lets off the eucalyptus smell all night without the moisture.

[neeky]

we recently invested in a vapouriser, best $40 i've spent. between my dp and my ds being sick this winter i hardly had a couple nights of semi decent sleep, since we got it i sleep so much better bcoz they arent keeping my awake with coughing etc.

we got a vicks one, its great, id recommend it. we use a little bit of eucalyptus oil with it to help clear the nose as well. it has a saftey cut off so if it runs dry (or almost dry) it cuts off and will not turn back on again unless you unplug it for a couple minutes. each fill lasts about 12-14hrs!
we were going to look at renting one, but i figured if it was only $40 there wasnt much point!
we have it in our room, we keep ours and bubs door open and close the rest. that way its not affecting bubs too much and dp gets the most benefit (thank god lol)

dp also put some lavender oil in their one night when he was treating me to a great night of relaxing!