Which air humidifier for a child?

Consultation:
November 21 2023
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In this article you will learn:

    Is an air humidifier a necessary device for a child? When is such a device useful and which model should you choose from those available on the market? What is something you probably won't learn about air humidifiers for children from rankings or forum posts? Is it worth buying an air humidifier for your home, or maybe it is better to choose an air purifier with a humidification function?

    You will find comprehensive answers and tips in the text below.

    Air humidification at home: where to start?

    For many years, the easiest way to humidify the air in rooms was a wet, three-meter diaper or a towel hung on the pipes of a warm radiator. Currently, in order to humidify dry air in the home, especially during a long heating period, you can buy various types of devices and products with just such applications and functions.

    When deciding to choose a specific device, you need to analyze it functional features and minimize the risk of infectionswhich may be a consequence of both inadequate quality of the equipment and its improper use.

    What should be the air humidity in the house?

    Concerned parents ask about which air humidifier for a child to choose in many forums, in discussions with specialists, other parents or traders. It is known that both too dry and too moist the air is unsuitable and may become the reason health problemsmainly with mucosa (catarrh, pharyngitis, laryngitis, sinusitis, and conjunctivitis).

    Expert advises

    Proper air humidity should be 30-65 percent. In winter, i.e. from late autumn to early spring, during the heating season, its level drops below the minimum. In the transitional periods: in spring and autumn - without heating - the humidity rises above the maximum, especially in older, underheated, inadequately insulated buildings, not protected against external moisture. Such conditions favor the growth of bacteria, mold and fungi, which are a potential source of infections.

    Jolanta Wacławek
    Pediatrician in the One-Day Hospitalization Department, Institute of Mother and Child

    Therefore, it is good to have a humidifier as well air purification function including: dust, suspended dust, plant pollen, bacteria and allergens of animal origin. Thanks to this, the air purifier with humidification function is useful all year round, taking care of the health and well-being of the entire family.

    When it is too dry at home, indoor plants tell us about it the fastest, showing a dry edge on the leaves. It can also be a warning signal a toddler's persistent cough that appears when falling asleep. Then the search for appropriate devices and products that will provide clean and properly humidified air in rooms where a family and a child stays often begins.

    Air humidifier: the main types of devices

    Parents can find more than one ranking of air humidifiers for their children online. The choice is not easy because Air humidifiers are made in different technologies, and thus have different parameters and prices. So which air humidifier to choose, especially for a child? Helpful in this situation may be tips and knowledge about what types of humidifying devices are available, how they work, and whether we are able to use them in such a way that the air is not "enriched" with mold and fungi.

    The main types of air humidifiers currently available for sale, this:

    • steam,
    • ultrasonic,
    • evaporative.

    Each of them humidifies the air differently: the steam model works on the principle of a heater and the production of hot steam, which floats in rooms (does not save electricity, you can easily burn yourself, so use in children's rooms is not recommended). An ultrasonic humidifier works by breaking down water molecules ultrasound. This has its disadvantages, as they are audible and not suitable for animals, and may also have a negative impact on children.

    Expert advises

    Ultrasound breaks down the minerals that are present in the water, producing white stone dust, which is not indifferent to health. In order not to expose yourself and children to inhaling it, refill - instead of the so-called tap taps - use distilled water. The cost of operation therefore, unfortunately, increases.

    Jolanta Wacławek
    Pediatrician in the One-Day Hospitalization Department, Institute of Mother and Child

    The last category, i.e. Evaporative humidifiers are devices that generate steam mechanically – Cold – through evaporative discs or a mat. Air is blown out of the device in the form of an invisible, cool mist. 

    Thanks to this function, in winter the air is optimally humidified, and during the summer heat, the device distributes pleasantly cool, purified and humidified air in rooms with an area of ​​up to 81 m³.

    Which air humidifier should I choose for a child?

    No method of air humidification will be safe and effective if we handle the device itself improperly. Leaving water in the tank can cause mold and fungi to accumulate quickly.

    What to look for when choosing an air humidifier?

    When choosing a device to humidify the air at home, let's check its efficiency, i.e. its adaptation to the volume of the room in which it will perform its functions. The efficiency is expressed in m³ / h – this parameter should indicate whether this device is suitable for a specific children's room.

    The next parameter is the volume, which should not be higher than 50 dB, which is especially important during nighttime rest. This ensures that your child's sleep remains healthy and undisturbed.

    The presence of a descaling filter is also welcome as it will extend the life of the device. Let's not forget to replace it in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. It is also important to regularly perform a deep cleaning cycle of the entire water system of the device, which allows it to remove accumulated sediment and scale.

    Choose simultaneous moisturizing and cleansing

    Given today's level of air pollution, which persists in most parts of Poland almost all year round, it is worth choosing an air humidifier with a simultaneous purification function.

    Parents pay special attention to the amenities offered by the manufacturers of individual devices, e.g. automatic cycle of deep air purification and humidification, the ability to control the device from a dedicated phone application, a large and efficient water tank, as well as simple filter replacement.

     

     

    Medical consultation

    Jolanta Wacławek
    Pediatrician in the One-Day Hospitalization Department, Institute of Mother and Child

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