Most parents will agree that nothing is more important to them than their baby’s health. There is so much anticipation and excitement leading to their arrival, and we know you want everything to be ready and perfect for them. You fluff their tiny pillows and line up stuffed animals, but you may worry about the air quality in their room and to ensure your baby is breathing the best air possible, you have a humidifier just for them. But it can be hard to know the safest place to put it while still increasing effectiveness, so how close should a humidifier be to a baby? We dive into that answer here.
Humidifiers are great for babies as long as they are placed in the home safely. To understand how to determine the ideal spot for your baby’s humidifier, you need to understand the risks and rewards of using one.
This guide will help you choose the perfect spot, so you don’t have to worry about the quality of the air your baby is inhaling.
Dangers of placing it incorrectly
There are potential risks to misplacing the humidifier. If you place it too far away from your child, it won’t have the health benefits you desire. But if you put it too close to the child, this can become dangerous for them.
If your humidifier uses heat, placing it too close can put the child at risk if a fire starts unexpectedly. Try to avoid humidifiers with heating elements for your baby’s room.
Another risk is if they can reach the humidifier, they could pull it down or knock it over and injure themselves. This is more likely if you have a toddler rather than an infant, but it is best to err on the side of caution.
How Close Should a Humidifier be to a Baby: Determining the Right Spot
The quick answer is the humidifier belongs at least 3-4 feet away from the child. But there are other aspects of the room and child to consider when choosing the best spot. It depends on how your home layout, in addition to how rambunctious and curious your baby is.
Humidifiers work best when placed in the center of a room, so if possible, place a small table in the middle of your baby’s room for the humidifier. This ensures that moisture is distributed evenly throughout the space.
And another placement note is that the humidifier should be up high, on a shelf or desk. This prevents a hazard in the room, but also helps the moisture spread out evenly. This ensures the whole room is comfortable.
Factors to Consider
The rule of thumb is 3-4 feet, but there are some other things to take into account when figuring out the best spot for a humidifier unit. Take these factors into consideration when putting the humidifier in or near your baby’s room.
Room Structure
The best place for a humidifier is in the center of the room, so the moisture distributes around evenly. If placing it in the center is not an option, try to make it as close as possible. A humidifier on the edges of a room or in a corner will not properly adjust the humidity in the room.
Child’s Reach
Try to place the humidifiers and any attached cords in a way that is not easily accessible to the child. The best way to avoid this is to purchase a cordless humidifier that you don’t need to plug in.
As your baby grows into a wild toddler, they may yank on the cord or push over a humidifier which is not safe. This is why it’s important to keep it in a high area like on a shelf or table they can’t reach.
Proximity to Bed or Crib
Make sure the humidifier and all cords are far enough away from their bed or crib that they cannot reach it. If your child can reach the cords, or worse the unit, from their bed, they could pull it down, or it could fall on them accidentally.
How a baby can benefit from a humidifier
Humidifiers improve air quality by increasing moisture in the air. This makes it impossible for dust mites to live in your baby’s room, which can be uncomfortable for them.
This is especially true during the winter when the air is cold and dry and infections and sicknesses are common. A humidifier can protect your baby from contracting these and falling ill.
A humidifier will improve the air quality in a nursery and contribute to a healthy environment for your baby, something every parent wants. This is especially true if you live in a particularly dry area or your baby’s room is in a dry location such as a top floor.
If your little tot has trouble falling or staying asleep, the humidifier could be a lifesaver. Many infants are lulled to sleep by white noise machines, but a humidifier can act as both. They produce a steady, soft white noise that can help your baby drift off into dreamland.
Conclusion
The simplest answer is to place the humidifier 3-4 feet away from where your child sleeps. There are other placement factors to take into account, but this is the most important rule to follow to ensure your baby’s safety. Positioning a humidifier properly in your baby’s room will keep them safe while providing them with great air quality and comfort.
FAQs
Can I leave it on all night?
Yes, it is fine to leave your humidifier on through the night. As mentioned, this can be a huge benefit to your baby’s sleeping habits. Turning off the humidifier every so often is a good idea to give the unit a break, but it isn’t necessary. A quality humidifier will run 24/7 without issue.
How often should I clean the humidifier?
Humidifiers require little maintenance and cleaning. The filter should be changed out regularly, every few weeks, and you should make sure the humidifier is kept dry.
The most important part is to empty the tray that catches water from the humidifier. This should be done every day or at least every other day and refilled with distilled water.
Should I also get a dehumidifier for my baby?
This is certainly not a bad idea, but if you live in a very dry climate it typically isn’t necessary. If you feel like your home or nursery are particularly musty places, a dehumidifier can help solve these discomforts by pulling moisture from the air.