Vaporizers for Babies: Benefits, Safety & Usage

Vaporizers can help babies breathe better. A vaporizer takes water and turns it into steam, which has the power to kill bacteria in the air. They are particularly useful as a natural treatment for a baby with a cough, congestion or runny nose. Since they produce heat, vaporizers are also an additional source of heat for a baby's room. This is especially helpful as it eliminates full reliance on dry central heating. Renowned pediatrician William Sears, M.D., is a proponent of vaporizers over cool mist humidifiers. However, he cautions that certain precautions must be taken when using a vaporizer.

Things You'll Need

• Vaporizer
• Water
• Herbal oils (optional)

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Instructions

• 1

  Discuss with your baby's doctor if a vaporizer would be useful.

• 2

  Place vaporizer out of baby's reach. They pose a serious burn risk becuase of the hot steam. Make sure other children are taught to stay away from the vaporizer.

• 3

  Use in baby's bedroom during the night. Read the manufacturer's directions for the specific operating instructions for your model.

• 4

  Change the water daily and dry the vaporizer between uses.

• 5

  Air the room out at some point during the day to prevent mold from growing in such a humid environment.