My daughter recently came down with the cold and 5 days later so did my son (cough, runny nose, and sore throat). Since this is the first time they have been sick at the same time I bought a second humidifier. I didn't realize this until I got home and plugged it in but it is a cool mist humidifier. I have always used a warm mist one and had good results and didn't even know that there were cool mist ones. My daughter is pretty much over the cold so I wanted to put the one that works better in my sons room since he is still suffering with symptoms. Has anyone had any experience on which type of humidifier is better?
Thank you everyone for your advice!! It was very helpful. Since most recommended a cool mist that is what I put in my sons room. I did use the warm mist one the first night because that is what I have always used. The next morning after using the cool mist I did notice that my son didn't cough as much right after I took him out of his room where the humidifier was running. To me that was proof that the cool mist was better for his lungs as far as not sending him into a coughing fit after a long night of breathing in the air. I use Malelucca oil in the humidifiers as well and I like how the cool mist made it smell clean and fresh rather than "baked" and thick like the warm mist. The downside is that it does make his room really cold. Since he can't cover himself back up I check in on him a lot while he sleeps during the day with a tv baby monitor but at night it has been waking him up. I am going to buy a second cool mist humidifier if my kids are ever sick at the same time again.
Hi! I'm glad to see that you chose cool mist because that's what my Pediatrician just recommended for my 11-week-old son who has RSV!
My son's pediatrician always tells me to use a cool mist humidifier and it has always worked well for us.
I was told that cold mist is better because a warm one can put out bacteria in the air.....but like you,I always used a warm one and never had problems;)
Something else, with humidifiers remember to clean them constantly with clorox, they can breed (especially the warm mist) bacteria big time and throw that out into the air.
Try maybe too Vaper plugs by Vicks, they plug in, the pads hold the same great smell as vapor rub but it lasts 8 hours! It is awesome!
Both times my son has had a cold over the last year the Dr has told me to use a COOL MIST Humidifier. Hope that helps!
I just bought the Pediatric Warm Mist by Vicks and it says Bacteria Free mist relieves cold and flu symptoms. Tonight is our first night using it, but it was recommended for kids with cold/flu symptoms.
Hi A.,
I got a cool mist humidifier before my recent purchase of a warm mist humidifier, and the only bad thing about the cool mist one is that I froze at night while sleeping because it was a lot like having a small air conditioner in the room! I'm saving my cool mist humidifier for the hot summer nights!
I was just wondering the same thing yesterday and came across this link:
http://www.humidifiersdirect.com/humidifier_buying_guide.htm
I hope it helps. I have not made a decision yet, but the information at the link will probably help in that process.
Hi! I am a nurse and have always been taught that cool mist is better!
My 4 month old son recently had a cold and the ped recommended a cool mist humidifier and it seemed to work really well. I also tried to determine the difference and the only thing that I could find is that the warm humidifiers are not recommended for kids that are old enough to be mobile as they are a burn risk.
I use a cool mist humidifier for my children and myself. Plus all the baby books we read also state that a cool mist is better and safer for a baby. (i.e. "Your baby's first year week by week.")
The cool mist is actually supposed to be better. The warm mist can grow a lot of bacteria, because of the warm temp, then shoot it into the air. The cool mist won't grow all that gunk.
A., my aunt is a neonatal nurse and she always made sure to tell us to use a cool mist humidifier with infants. The warm steam one can cause respiratory problems in infants. So dress your son warmly and use the cool mist. Hope this helps!
I have major sinus issues and during my last "bout", my ENT suggested a cool mist humidifier. Honestly I do not remember why he suggested the cool mist and not the warm mist, and it has been so long since I have used the warm mist. Anyway, the cool mist works well for me and has helped to break up the congestion. It is also kind of refreshing, especially if there is a bit of a fever brewing. But I will say, although the cool air is refreshing on the face, it tends to make the rest of me a little cold so be sure to have some extra blankets handy.
My Dr. said to use cool mist. So I got one, but we have hard water and it gets mineral deposits that clog it. Instead of making a nice mist, it sprays pretty big drops and soaks everything nearby. I've cleaned it with vinegar and it works ok for about 2 days then clogs up again. Just beware.
I don't have personal experience with the warm but my doctor said that I should use the cool.
I do not know which one is better, but my Docter told me to always use a cold mist...The cold mist has always worked well for my children.
Hi A.,
I would check with you're peditrician, but am personally aware that warm mist humidifiers are probably not the best route because they breed bacteria. You're better off sticking with the cool mist.
Take care,
J.
Hi there....
I read in the book "what to expect the first year" part of the what to expect when you're expecting series.....that a warm humidifier is far superior to a cool mist humidifier (for children sick or not sick). It didn't say why....
We've only used cool mist. It's safer with kids (no chance of being burned). We use ours all year round since where we live is so dry, and the kids liek the white noise. When they have colds it does a great job and keeping everything loose.
I've wondered this myself and only know this...
Warm mist boils the water so the water coming out is more pure and not recycled yucky in the air. Cool mist might be better if using essential oils as heat can change the essential oil properties. I use essential oils with my warm mist anyway.
I think you're doing good just getting moisture in the air. We run humidifiers all winter long every night to prevent colds. It helps.
B.
Hi A.,
I had to deal with this also last year. The cool mist is better if you live in a dry climate like myself in Las Vegas valley. The warm mist is only good for temporary relief of heavy congestion but the cool mist is best to be used overnight so that their little noses doesn't dry out and also makes breathing better and easier.
In addition to this you should get one of those Vicks vapor plug ins. It looks like a little night light and you put one of those vicks pads in it and it fills the air with menthol which helps the little ones breathe better since they are too young for cold medicines.
I hope this helps!
I had the same question about 2 mths ago when my youngest daughter came down with RSV and in the hospital for a week. Naturally as a mother I was wondering what I did wrong (nothing as I later found out)I spoke at length with her admitting Dr at LAH and he told me it was personal preference. I have 3 girls, the younger two sharing a room (6mth/17mth old) and at nap times and night time I ALWAYS have it running. The Dr told me it's just a good idea, we live in a dry climate. It keeps the nasal passages moist, open, and running!!
My daughter was recently sick and my doctor was adament about me purchasing a cool mist humidifier. I have heard from others that the warm mist humidifiers often keep bacteria around, but it's probably good for asthma. But for a cold...runny nose, and cough I would use cool mist.
Cool mist is better for 2 reasons: it's safer (no heating element to accidentally burn yourself/your kids) and the cool air can reduce inflammation in the airways. Warm air can make the airways more swollen and seem more stuffy.
If you use a cool mist humidifier without a filter, there seems to be less (virtually NO) mold/algae buildup. The "Adorable" humidifiers are all different animal shapes (we got our at Target, but I've seen them at Bed Bath & Beyond and other places) and they are very cute!
Hi A.,
We use cool mist humidifiers for both our 1-year old and 4-year old. In fact, our 4 year old has allergies and per Dr's instruction we keep the humidifier running every night. The Dr recommended cool mist because (and in my experience) it is esaier to adjust the tempurature in the room with the cool mist.
Hope he is feeling better soon!!
