When you bring a baby into the world, your life completely changes.
Instead of just living for yourself or your partner, you’re now living to provide for your little angel. So when caring for you family air quality is a primary concern nowadays.
That’s why so many parents are debating between an Air purifier vs. a humidifier for a baby.
One of the main reasons there’s such a significant debate between the two is that most people tend to think that they’re interchangeable! That’s not the case.
I believe it’s essential to assess both options in detail before making the final buying decision.
Keep reading to find out more about the air purifier vs. humidifier debate to identify which is best for your baby!
What Is An Air Purifier?
As the name suggests, an air purifier is an indoor device capable of filtering domestic or industrial air. Its primary purposes are to remove pollution and improve the air quality of a particular area.
Airborne pollutants are harmful to babies and serve as the primary source for illnesses and allergies in babies.
Even if you live in a remotely pollution-free area, getting an air purifier in your baby’s nursery is a good idea.
There are a lot of common indoor pollutants inside your home that are everyday items. Any dust, smoke, or combustion appliances are all irritants that can harm babies.
If you have a pet or flowers indoors, fur and pollen could potentially become pollutants as well.
The term air purifier sounds almost too good to be true. That’s why many people are skeptical about whether they’re useful.
Air purifiers are smart little machines that have come a long way. Modern air purifiers can clean indoor air in four different ways.
These methods are the HEPA filter, activated carbon filter, ionizer, and ultra-violet light.
HEPA Filter
Air purifiers that use the HEPA filter method have an internal fan that allows them to suck in air.
The air then passes through the HEPA filter, and it traps all pollutants because of the density of the material.
Activated Carbon Filter
Activated carbon filters function the same way as a HEPA filter.
It features an internal fan along with a specially treated medium. The fan sucks in the air, and the filter then absorbs the pollutants as air passes through.
Ionizer
Ionizers are air purifiers that feature a completely filter-less design. They work by emitting negatively charged ions into the area.
These ions latch onto pollutants and ensure that they don’t remain airborne but attach to surfaces.
Ultra-Violet Light
The last method that air purifiers use is Ultra-Violet light.
It makes use of short-wave ultra-violet light to help inactivate potentially dangerous pathogens and microorganisms.
Are Air Purifiers Safe For Babies?
Air purifiers are completely safe for babies. Their design helps ensure that they provide babies with the best environment.
By removing the air pollutants in the area, they give babies the best chances of being healthy!
Benefits Of Air Purifiers For Babies
One of the best ways to understand whether a product suits your needs is by looking at the pros and cons. Let’s start with the benefits first!
- Boost Baby’s Mood
Your baby is going to have the same reaction to the irritant as most people. They’re going to become more irritable or uncomfortable in the presence of any potential pollutants.
The presence of an air purifier can help ensure that the baby’s environment is pollutant-free and their mood remains positive!
- Strengthening The Immune System
When babies first enter the world, their immune systems are still in development stages.
Overexposure to contaminants at this early stage can weaken a baby’s immune system. There’s no telling how many strains of flu and virus are hiding inside the home.
It can be difficult for the baby’s immune system to develop when it’s constantly trying to fight off these contaminants.
- Protect From Allergies
Babies have very sensitive skin and are susceptible to a wide variety of allergens that may potentially cause them irritations or a rash.
Air purifiers are incredibly effective at eliminating any potential allergens. Just turn the air purifier on and make the environment as safe as possible for your baby.
- Better Sleep Quality
This won’t just help your baby, but it’ll help you as well.Your first few months as parents can be exhausting because of the potential lack of sleep you experience.
The presence of an air purifier helps clean the air. Cleaner air promotes better sleep quality in both babies and adults!
Cons Of Air Purifiers For A Baby
There aren’t a lot of downsides to buying an air purifier for your home.
It took a fair amount of effort on my part to find any disadvantages. Here are the potential cons that you can expect while using an air purifier.
- Potential Ozone Threat
Older models of ionizers have come under fire to become prone to leaking ozone while they’re active.
Ozone is a gas that can make asthma worse. However, a lot of manufacturers claim that the newer models don’t emit any ozone.
- Manufacturer Claims
While air purifiers are effective machines, they aren’t as effective as the manufacturers claim.
It’s not a con that applies to air purifiers but most products on the market.
Take whatever the manufacturers claim with a pinch of salt.
Now that you have the low-down on air purifiers, it’s time to look at humidifiers and what they have to offer!
What Is A Humidifier?
As the name suggests, a humidifier is an appliance that helps increase humidity or moisture inside a room.
Many people think they’re interchangeable with air purifiers, but they perform a completely different function.
A humidifier’s purpose is to help ensure that the air inside a room isn’t too dry.
Infants are prone to congestion, and dry air can irritate different parts of the baby’s body. It’s one of the main reasons why so many babies tend to get sick during the winter months when the air is dryer.
Many of these potential issues that occur because of dry air don’t have anything to do with irritants in the air.
These issues occur because of the existing particles becoming more active because of the lack of moisture. It’s one of the reasons why dust becomes more visible in a dry area.
Humidifiers work by converting water into vapor and releasing it into the environment. That’ll help slow down the active particles and help make the environment safer for your baby.
You won’t have to worry about any of the issues that arise because of dry air.
Are Humidifiers Good For Babies?
Even in the most humid of places, getting a humidifier for your baby is a good idea.All regions tend to get dryer during the winter months, which can potentially cause several problems for babies.
A humidifier will help ensure that the home’s humidity remains at an optimal level so your baby remains as comfortable as possible.
Benefits of humidifier for A baby
By looking at the benefits of having a humidifier in your baby’s nursery, you can decide whether it’s worth the investment.
Here are a few benefits that you can expect from buying a humidifier.
- Protection Against Dry Air
Dry air is a common phenomenon. It can cause several issues like more frequent sore throats, a dry sinus, and a stuffy nose.
Babies are significantly more prone to these issues than adults and become even more susceptible to infections and sicknesses.
A humidifier will help ensure that the air in your household remains at the optimal humidity level for your baby.
- White Noise
Humidifiers also provide a comforting rhythmic hum while they’re operating.It’s a sound similar to the one that a baby is used to hearing while they’re inside the womb.
Not only will the humidifier help make breathing easier, but it’ll also help your baby sleep more comfortably!
- Help Ease Colds
No one wants to watch their baby suffer from a cold, and it can be a heart-wrenching experience for parents.
It can be easy to start feeling helpless as doctors recommend that you don’t give children younger than two years any medication.
That’s when a humidifier becomes super important and helps alleviate a lot of the symptoms.
The humidifier will clear out the baby’s nasal passages. Check with your pediatrician, and they may recommend soothing inhalants that you could use inside the humidifier.
- Clear Up Congestion
One of the biggest issues that dry air causes is that it makes children more prone to congestion.
That can make it difficult for them to breathe. In severe cases, it can cause the baby’s nose to become sore and cause the skin to crack.
That’s why it’s important to ensure that you a humidifier ready, especially during the winters.
Cons Of Humidifiers For A Baby
While a humidifier is a great way to ensure that your house has more moisture, there are some potential drawbacks that you need to consider.
- Dirty Water
Humidifiers rely on you filling their tank so they can convert water into breathable vapor and release it into the environment. If the water tank is dirty, however, it can cause more harm to the baby.
Always clean a humidifier before using it and replace the water often!
- Excessive Humidity
As is the case with most things, excessive humidity can cause some potential issues.
It can make it more difficult to breathe and make the environment better for allergens.Some of the most common allergens thrive in humid environments.
- Mold Growth
Even though a humidifier can help protect your baby from congestion and other dry air-related issues, it can also cause harm.
They promote mold and dust mite growth, making the environment more dangerous for babies that are allergic to dust!
Air Purifier Vs. Humidifier For A Baby Comparison
Parameter | Air Purifier For Babies | Humidifier For Babies |
How are they different | Removes airborne pollutants | Doesn’t purify the air, but helps to increase moisture in the room |
Pros | Protects babies from allergies better sleep quality boosts baby’s mood boosts babies immune system | Protects against dry clears up congestions provides a comfortably rhythmic hum helps ease colds |
Cons | Potential Ozone threat Dirty water | Excessive humidity promotes mold and dust mites |
Price | $50 and up | $30 and up |
Now that you have a clear understanding of both appliances, let’s take a look at both and compare. That’ll help you decide which one is the best for your needs.
How Are They alike?
As I’ve mentioned before, many people tend to think that an air purifier and humidifier are interchangeable appliances.
They look similar to one another, and both help make certain necessary changes in the environment.
However, that’s where the similarities end, as they’re devices that serve completely different purposes.
How Are They different?
An air purifier is a device that features an internal fan and filters.It can have a different configuration depending on the type you purchase, but that’s the most basic design.
These devices will suck in the air, run it through the filter, and remove any potential irritants in the environment.
On the other hand, a humidifier is a device that turns water into breathable vapor and then releases it into the environment.
It doesn’t purify the air in any way, but it helps increase the moisture levels.
You’ll need to fill up the humidifier with clean water. It’ll then heat the water to where it starts to convert into vapor and then release it inside the room.
The machines may look similar in appearance, but they’re completely different from one another. They perform two completely different functions!
What Is Better For A Baby: Humidifier Or Purifier?
There’s no this or that answer for this question! Depending on your requirements, a humidifier might be more necessary than an air purifier.
If you live somewhere with good air quality but a very dry climate, a humidifier will suit your baby better.
However, suppose you’re in an environment where there’s a lot of humidity and pollution. In that case, an air purifier is the better investment.
Carefully assess your baby’s needs before deciding which device you should get. No rule states you can’t get both either!
Wrapping Up: Air Purifier Or Humidifier For A Baby
Providing your baby with the best environment can help ensure that they grow up healthy and comfortably.
Air purifiers and humidifiers are two devices that can help parents control the environment around their baby. They’re two potentially very important devices that all parents should consider for their little ones’ nursery!
This concludes on Air purifier vs humidifier for baby. Hope this post helped you figure out which one is better.
Looking For Air Purifier Guides?
If you’re looking for more air purifier resources, consider checking out our other posts on air purifiers.
- Best air purifiers under $150
- Best Air Purifiers For Pregnancy
- Best air purifiers for chemical sensitivity
- Best air purifiers for radon gas
- Best air purifiers for ferret odor
(Author)
Irene Batres is eager to help others create an indoor allergen-free home. She has years of experience testing out air purifiers, dehumidifiers, and other products designed to help with indoor air quality. Learn more about me.
