Warm or Cold Humidifier for a Baby's Cold

We always used the warm air (vaporizer), especially in the winter when the dry air from the central heat was circulating. The vaporizer kept the bedroom warm and also had the damp air. Conversely, in the summer, we used the cool-air humidifier because it had the same effect w/out the heat.

I think cool-air is more popular because there isn't a chance of anyone getting burned. So, if you choose the vaporizer just make sure your daughter can't reach it.

And both humidifiers AND vaporizers breed bacteria. So, one really isn't better than the other for that reason. Just make sure you clean both per the manufacturers instructions and air out the bedroom between uses.

1 mom found this helpful

Our doctor always said Cold, and to not use warm. I dont remeber why he had this reasoning, but I always used the cold. Be careful alot of them leak. I found that out the hard way and came into the room with a big puddle. Good Luck!

K.,

I think either one is fine- the main thing is to get the room moist so that it will clear the airways. But I think cool air is less drying to the nose.

Good luck~

M.

They say the cold is safer to have in the baby's room just in case of accidents but the warm works much better. I love the cheapest one by Vicks. It is like 10 bucks and works great!

I have both and the warm always seemed to work better for them. vicks also has it where you can medicine to the vaporizer and it works well.

Hi K.,
Cold was recommended to me, but after trying a cold mist and finding it spewed a bunch of water everywhere and made a loud noise, I bought a warm mist vaporizer. I much prefer the warm mist.
The only reason cool mist humidifiers are recommended is to decrease chances of burning.
Warm mist does warm the room slightly.

One last tip...A friend of mine recommended Pedicare or Similar Gentle vapors mini waterless vaporizer. I have used them recently for my girls who had head colds - congestion and cough and it really seemed to shorten the cold and made it easier for them to breath. Be sure to read the packaging and make sure to follow the directions. Hope your baby feels better soon.

Hey K., sorry to hear about your daughter- I hate when my kids get sick.. I feel so hopeless sometimes becuase you just have to go with it and watch the meds/remedies work. You know how hospitals, when you go in there you have these chills becuase the a/c is blast on.. they say it keeps the sicknesses down and the patients healthy. It seems to work- even with babies... so give cold humidifier a try.. she will be better in no time. Take care.

Our kids' pediatricians always said cool mist. I'm not sure the reasons, but here is what I'm thinking it might be... the goal is to keep the air a bit moist, which is done with the cool mist humidifier. The warm air is going to cool in the room anyway, and that heat/cool cycle might just trigger more problems than it solves. I think a brief warm mist to loosen congestion - such as a warm shower - might help several times a day. This would probably be most helpful first thing in the morning to loosen all the congestion that tends to build up overnight while the child sleeps. (this is coming from my own experience in getting rid of congestion for myself). Also, I think keeping a pure saline solution on hand is a good idea. I believe the one I'm thinking of is called Simply Saline. It doesn't have any added chemicals... just salt and water basically. You can also make your own homemade solution using sea salt, a little baking soda, and water. If you do, be careful that you don't get it too salty, or it will tend to burn the soft tissue. I think you can get a 'recipe' by going online to Dr. Weil's medical site so you would have a guide for that.

We bought cold because it was recommended as safest, as you can see from some of the other responses. However, it was not as effective - not even close! So we got rid of it and got warm. We have been happy ever since.

warm! and I hear the cold ones can promote mold growth.

NEVER a warm air humidifier - it breeds bacteria, virus, and all sorts of germie nasties - it also makes ill children with fevers feel worse and make their fevers higher! Always use a cool air humidifier unless specifically told otherwise by your ped. Its the moisture, not the temp of the air, that keeps their airways calm and soothes hurting throats, coughs, a stuffy noses more "liquid" as opposed to thick mucus.

I have always been told COLD. (by my pediatrician)

Our pediatrician and all of my daughters specialists (cardiologist, pulmonologist, GI specialist, dermatologist) told us to use a cool mist humidifier only. Vicks has a great line of humidifiers. Just wash/clean per the instructions.

Hi K.. I think for each child it's different. My son does better with hot and my daughter cold.. I think you have to try both and see what works better. For me hot seems to work better when I have a cold and cold seems to work better when I have allergies...Good luck!

I have used both, and strongly recomend the hot air humidifier.

I have always used warm humidifiers. The cheap Vicks one works great for us! Just have to make sure it is a safe set up so there is no chance of anyone getting burned.

I don't know about anyone else, but my lungs like the warm moist air, not cold. Cold constricts and heat expands. Simple laws of nature. Although I can see a feverish person not wanting more warmth...

Just one more opinion :)

I prefer the cold one, and can be used in any season, just make sure it is never put next to the child or can get wet and damp making things worse!!!

Love, G.. :0)
http://stemcellforautism.blogspot.com/

You definitely want steam.

Our pediatricians have recommended the cold vaporizer.

We've heard cold, just because there is no danger of accidental burns. We have used cold successfully for years. The only advantage I can see to warm is adding Vicks or menthol of some kind to the mist, which is just as well done by rubbing a little on the baby's chest, I think.

K.,

From my experience , I have always tried warm and it seemed to work just fine. Also you might want to try sitting in the bathroom with your daughter, while the hot water is running in the shower that worked wonders and saved money too! Also try getting her to her chirpractor for an adjustment! My girls look forward to them and they boost their immune systems!