Having a winter baby means more time inside, warmer clothes, and fears of sickness. It doesn’t help that every single year seems to be ‘ the worst sick season of all time,’ right? Of course, this is just a money-making scheme to get everyone to rush out and buy all the things - and inject all the things, but the winter does come with a ‘normal’ rise in viruses. As a new mother, you have every right to be scared of them.

While nesting, you will inevitably scrub every surface and floorboard within your home with the safest products. You will organize baby items and build baby furniture. You might even stack your freezer full of postpartum meals. Your registry items have been purchased for the most part, and you have them all set up. However, this is one item that most new moms leave in the box instead of using regularly and with the newest research just published, you will want this item plugged in all winter long.

Why You Need a Humidifier for Your Baby

While a humidifier is generally pulled out after you start feeling stuffed up or flu-like, did you know that keeping it running while you are in a room actually lowers the chances of you (and your baby) from getting sick?

Your newborn is too young for even the most natural of cold or flu remedies. Your breastmilk will be of great help in keeping him healthy, but the winter months are still scary. Research has found that raising indoor humidity levels to 43% or above renders 86% of airborne virus particles powerless. If you spend most of the time at home, this will be a great way to keep your baby healthy. If your baby needs to be at daycare, suggest humidifiers be placed throughout the room he is in.

By running humidifiers throughout your home, you are also helping keep skin and lips from drying out, lessening congestion, and promoting good sleep. So go ahead and pull that beauty from its box (or run and buy one) before this winter weather kicks in.

Cold Mist vs Warm Mist Humidifiers

Studies have shown that cool mist humidifiers are slightly better at easing respiratory distress. This is because the cool water vapor that they produce causes the soft tissue lining the airways to shrink when inhaled, where warmer mist would cause it to swell and close up. They are also safer when it comes to possible spills.

Warm mist humidifiers boil the water causing the steam that you see. They create a hot and humid room. Studies have shown that warm mist humidifiers are actually slightly better at creating a germ-free environment due to this boiling. The machines stay cleaner, boiling away bacteria that can build within them and are at far less risk of pumping said bacteria into the air, potentially causing health problems. However, there is boiling water inside - an extremely dangerous accident waiting to happen.

The choice is yours. Remember, though, you need to refresh the water daily and dry your humidifier out 1-2x a week to help keep bacteria from growing, especially in a cool-mist version. Utilizing filtered or distilled water will also help keep your humidifier pumping out healthy steam.