Are Vaporizers Dangerous for Babies?

Vaporizers have long been recommended as a way to moisten the air in your home, and many pediatricians prescribe them for use in a baby's room. However, as with any product you use around your little one, it's important to understand how to use a vaporizer safely around your baby. Weighing the pros and cons can help you make the best choice for your home.

  1. Uses

    • A vaporizer moistens the air in your baby's room, which can make breathing easier. Pediatricians sometimes recommend a vaporizer for babies with croup or the common cold. The moistness in the air helps loosen mucus so your little one can cough it up, according to pediatrician William Sears, writing for "Parenting" magazine. Despite the benefits of a vaporizer, they pose several safety risks to babies, so proper use and adherence to the instructions for your vaporizer are important to keep your baby from being harmed.

    Benefits

    • A vaporizer releases hot steam into the air, so keeping one in your baby's room with the door nearly closed can help keep her nasal passages and lungs clear if she's stuffed up. This translates to better sleep during an illness. The hot steam also kills bacteria in the air, which helps keep the air surrounding your little one clean and sanitary, according to Dr. Sears. Running a vaporizer in your baby's room also helps keep her comfortable and can alleviate breathing difficulties associated with croup. Talk to your baby's pediatrician about the appropriate use of a vaporizer if she gets sick.

    Drawbacks

    • One the main concerns is the potential for burns if your baby tries to touch the steam or the machine while it's running. Never run a vaporizer when your baby is playing in his room. Place the product out of reach and always unplug it when not in use, which reduces the risk of electrocution. Germs and bacteria can also build up in a vaporizer, which can expel harmful particles into the air. Dr. Sears recommends changing the water in the vaporizer daily and washing the entire machine, according to the product's directions, once a week.

    Alternatives

    • Some pediatricians suggest using a cool-mist humidifier in place of a vaporizer. ConsumerReports.org favors them over vaporizers because they don't produce hot steam and don't pose a burn risk to babies who might be curious enough to touch the machine's surface. However, cool mist doesn't kill bacteria and germs like hot steam does, notes Dr. Sears. Ultrasonic humidifiers are another alternative, which are used by many hospitals for treating babies with breathing problems. These products use high-frequency sound to break water into mist and may be more effective for alleviating breathing issues. Talk to your baby's pediatrician about the best choice for your little one's health.

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