Birthing a baby is one of the most blissful things that a home could encounter, so adorable and cute little creatures they are, happy most times and every parent in the world would always do all they can to keep it that way. Some of this act includes providing the best care, both in things coming contact with the baby directly like clothes and also others that don’t like the environment. Speaking about environments, some of the two most important devices for creating a habitable one for kids is the air purifier and humidifier. Therefore, we would be comparing the baby air purifier vs humidifier in the nursery.
This begs the questions, are they the same? If not, what are their unique individual roles? Should I go for one or both? How do they create a suitable environment for my baby? Well, you should know first that a humidifier is utterly different from an air purifier and so is their functions, as they have two completely different roles to play in creating an environment that is sure to keep your kids safe.
In this article, we would try to address some of the questions that might be on your mind and beyond, bringing everything you need to know about baby air purifier vs Humidifier.
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Are humidifiers good for babies?
Humidifiers are generally known for their ability to affect humidity levels in an environment. They are designed to create mist by breaking down water molecules through different mediums, leading to the several types of humidifiers out there today. The problem of dry air and low humidity has plagued and is sure to stick around man, hence our environment basically forever, which is why in a bid to counter it, the humidifier was discovered.
Dry air consequentially low humidity, is responsible for most infections during the cold seasons, like sinuses, cough etc. and imagine if we adults aren’t immune to them, how much more than the tender little guy sitting in the nursery bed.
Babies need to be protected from these infections because unlike grownups, the effects are more severe and of it would take a humidifier to do that, then sure humidifiers are suitable for babies.
But just like every other thing created up till today, if not used right, it could be more harm than good, which is why you have to ensure the humidifier is clean at all times to prevent it from becoming basically a stand by spraying box of infections.
Also Read: Best Humidifiers for colds
Are air purifiers safe for babies?
Air purifiers generally have a function of removing impurities from the air, creating a safe breathing condition in the process. However, over time, the safety level of how they do that has been questioned, as today they are some that even go as far as using ozone and ionic generators, which have been found to have adverse effects.
Owing to the fact that they are still tiny creatures, hence tiny body structure, including the lungs compared to adults and even a little grown-up kids, babies breath in more air per minute, as well as at a more frequent rate. It is therefore paramount that this air is clean enough to do them nothing but good, and is where air purifiers come in. How safe they depend on the product in question.
Be sure to know that air purifiers are excellent and beneficial to your baby, but the question of if they are safe or not depends on the product itself. Before purchasing an air purifier, be sure to check the specifications and manner in which it operates, and anything with ozone or ionic generators should be wholly abstained from. They are entirely unsafe for newborns.
Read Here: Ionic air purifiers side effects
Air purifiers are different from humidifiers
The contrast in comparison and similarities between an air purifier and humidifiers has been on for quite a while, but to clear the foggy air once and for all, they are absolutely different devices. They have separate functions but works for hand in hand to achieve the common goal of a clean atmosphere for people to live and breathe in.
Now, how are they different, and why would using just one gives the same result as using both? Air purifiers exist for the primary task of cleaning the air and does that by drawing in air from the atmosphere and forcing it through a series of filters which have been designed for different purposes.
The hepa filter, for example, is responsible for holding back particles of up to 0.3 microns in size, while a carbon filter deals with gaseous and odour-causing molecules in the atmosphere. Depending on the product, there could also be extra filters present for dealing with other contaminants.
A humidifier, on the other hand, is responsible for raising and maintaining humidity level in the air. Its usefulness comes in when you have to combat dry air that could cause all sort of problems for children. They break down water into fine particles and release them into the atmosphere, affecting its humidity content directly and removes dry air, hence keeping your baby safe from its repercussions. As a result, yes, they are entirely two different equipment.
What is better for baby, humidifier or purifier?
A humidifier or a purifier, which should be gotten for your baby might look like a close call; well, let’s see how close it gets. An air purifier cleans the air by removing contaminants present in it directly, recycling the air at a steady rate to keep contaminants away and filter those already present.
Nevertheless, you should know that it does nothing to affect the humidity level of that air significantly, and you would still be left with dehydrated air in winter seasons though an air purifier works round the clock in the home.
This is where a humidifier jumps right in to save the day. Humidifiers keep your baby safe too, but in a completely different way as earlier said, and also a different method of operation.
They don’t go around knocking all the pollutants in the air out or sweeping the atmosphere clean, but instead, they target the condition which supports those infections causing molecules to survive, which in every case is a conducive humidity condition.
Low humidity allows causative molecules of infections like flu, cough and sinuses to thrive, and when eradicated (using a humidifier), the contaminants wouldn’t survive and is also indirectly eliminated from the atmosphere.
Wrapping things up, though an air purifier would do just fine in the summer by providing a safe haven for your baby, as soon as winter hits, you would really start to reconsider getting a humidifier.
Also, because of the manner of operation of air purifiers, they tend to leave the air dryer than it would have been usually, causing low humidity and dry air condition. My advice, get both, it would save you the stress of season changing.
Humidifier and air purifier in the same room: good or bad
Using a humidifier as well as an air purifier in the same room at the same time is perfectly all right, well, as far as you don’t put one on top the other. Some might even recommend using them beside each other, so they can work to balance the output of each other.
The air purifier cleans the air and dries up the humidity in the process, while a humidifier would put back the moisture lost from air purification process, making the atmosphere more convenient to live and breathe in.
Nevertheless, one or the other can be used exclusively depending on your weather condition, particularly humidifier for winder, and air purifier pretty much other seasons of the year. In essence, using both in the same room, at the same time, wouldn’t do any harm to your baby or the environment as a whole.
How long to use a humidifier for the baby?
Although we can all agree on the fact that a humidifier is beneficial, or should I say essential to have in your baby’s room, the question of how long it should run, shouldn’t slide away without proper thought and consideration. The simple answer to that question is this; a humidifier should be used for a just-right duration before been turned off. Confusing right? Well, this is what we mean.
The purpose of placing a humidifier in the first place is to pump up the humidity level, and if left to run, it would do just that. However, there could come a time where the humidity is up to your desire, but if left alone, the humidifier would keep running and eventually over-saturate the atmosphere with mist, creating a foggy-like cloud. This is harmful to the baby, and a humidifier shouldn’t be allowed to run up until this point, which is why timing is essential.
There are units with a timer feature these days, or even a smart mode, which automatically turns on and off the device, based on the atmospheric humidity condition. We highly recommend you get one with such, to avoid oversaturation. An oversaturated atmosphere is sure to breed moulds, and bacteria in no time, which is obviously not good for the baby.
In essence, make use of a humidifier by keeping it running till the required time it takes to get the humidity level up to a safe zone — nothing less and nothing more.
Either you do so by accurate monitoring with a hygrometer, or directly purchasing a unit which is able to do so is left to you. I recommend you purchase a humidifier with the timer and smart mode though, as they mostly cost just slightly higher than the regular ones.
Conclusion on comparing Baby Air Purifier vs Humidifier
Humidifiers, as well as air purifiers, play entirely different roles in keeping germs away from the bodies of our babies, and hence they should both be purchased, to say the least, and be appropriately used too. Remember, using a dirty humidifier or air purifier is much worse than not having any at all.
Reviewing baby air purifier vs Humidifier, we cannot take away anything from both the importance and usefulness of a humidifier and air purifier, considering the roles they play in keeping our babies safe, and though the good ones might be quite pricey, be sure to know that it is well worth it. Anything your little baby yeah?
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