Moms only, which is the better option?

Question

Cool-mist or warm-mist humidifier? What's the difference, if any?

Answer 1

I always alternated. Cool mist is good for allergies/asthma...warm mist/vaporizer is good for chest conjestion.

Answer 2

I bought a Vick's cool mist humidifier at Babies R Us for around $30.00. (I did some comparison shopping first). I had heard that cool mist was better for babies, and when my daughter's pediatrcian asked what kind I had, he said it was perfect. It makes the air a little more moist without drying you out. I know that she does seem to be less congested when the humidifier runs. And cool mist doesn't make the room cold or anything, which I was a little afraid of. I can't raelly tell the difference myself.

Also, they are not difficult to clean. Mine is basically just a tub with a lid. Very simple to clean, and easy to use and fill.

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2266318&cp=2255984.2256211&parentPage=family

Answer 3

I have had both.
Warm-mist Humidifiers
Kids can burn themselves from the warm-mist humidifiers. They can spit out hot steam. They also supposedly allow more bacteria to fester in them. Usually with the hot-mist ones, you add salt to the water. You can't control how much mist comes out of them. Can buy them for under ten bucks.
Cool-mist Humidifiers
I think the cool-mist ones are a bigger pain to clean though and they seem to get yucky quicker. Use with plain water and easy to control mist output. The experts always recommend using cool-mist humidifiers around children. Unfortunately, the cool-mist ones are more expensive.

I threw my old warm-mist one away so the baby didn't get burned, as I knew someone this happened too.

Answer 4

We have cool mist. I read an article recently in Parents magazine that a baby burned his fingers on a warm mist humidifier, needed a surgery and will have scars. They can be potentially dangerous. It also stated that Cool mist humidifiers work just as well, and are safer.

Answer 5

I would suggest a humidifier that has a temperature setting. We ahve a slant fin one that can be room temperature (as cool as the water is) or can be increased to warm/hot. This way you can use the temperature you need for a given situation. For example, if your child has a croupy cough/crough, warm air helps (or during a big coughing fir, cool air alternating with stem int he bathroom). for simple dry air in the room, cool mist may be more comfortable. If you have central temperature control in the house (like central heat) and you ahve a warm air humidifier on, it can increase the real-feel tempertaure int he room significantly (if doors are closed). This is a danger for SIDS if you have a young baby. However, for common colds, I think warm mist is more effective than cold. Until our son was 1 years old, and we felt less concerned about his SIDS risk, we used the unheated to slighty warm setting only. Once he was a todler and started getting more colds, we used a much warmer setting. I woudl recommedn a humidifer with variable temp control, since there are good uses for cool and warm mist.

Answer 6

It seems like I've heard cool mist is better because there's of the danger of a child burning him/herself on a warm mist machine.

Answer 7

im not sure but just thinking about it, it shouldnt matter because the mist cools off once it hits the air right??
just a thought!!! but investing in a good humidifier is great

Answer 8

I agree 100% with J S.Also I look at it like this.I have 6 kids.When the kids would have a cold or asthma acting up or the gas heat would dry out their sucretions the doctors always said to use a cold mist.Youngest is 2 and oldest is 17,Never once was told by a doc to use a warm mist.

Answer 9

If the room is very hot and it's to ad moisture I think the cool mist. If it's for decongesting some one definitely warm. the heat will break up the mucus.

Answer 10

Cool mist is the ones that peditricans recommend because it just adds water to the air not making it hot and stuffy