Stupid question - humidifiers

WestieMama

What exactly is the purpose of this?  If you live in a state that generally has high humidity do you need one?

Jessie0706

Our basement gets too dry so the humidifier will add moisture into the air. Sometimes they take away the moisture to prevent mold or anything icky growing under the carpet, etc.

amber_tynan

It's for dry climates/houses.

bim38106

do you mean for the baby? It's very helpful for when they're sick/have a cold. Since babies can't take meds for colds, a humidifier helps them breathe at night. It really helps w/ DD's coughs too. And yes, even in a state w/ high humidity it can help.

ETA: as for home ones, if that's what you meant.. we use one in the winter here but not in the summer. basically it goes on w/ the heater. it's plenty humid in the summer here!

triplenine

well it depends, here in NY we have major humidity in the summer but in the winter a humidifier is good for when the heat is on...especially if you have forced air heating.  Our friends have forced air, and their baby was having trouble breathing at night, they were using a humidifier.  Also, it is for when you are sick.

You have to be careful and clean it properly, because it probably could grow mold and thats never good.

triplenine

Jessie0706:

Our basement gets too dry so the humidifier will add moisture into the air. Sometimes they take away the moisture to prevent mold or anything icky growing under the carpet, etc.

The ones that take away moisture are called "Dehumidifiers"  we used to have one in my parents basement.

lucyatx

I registered for one. I figured that since I may not be able to give the baby much medicine in the beginning if she catches a cold, I can circulate some vicks in the room.

Its not going to hurt so why not!   Besides- and I live in TX- when you run the airconditioner the air inside tends to be sort of dry so it will be nice to keep that out of the baby's room.

 

Jessie0706

triplenine:

Jessie0706:

Our basement gets too dry so the humidifier will add moisture into the air. Sometimes they take away the moisture to prevent mold or anything icky growing under the carpet, etc.

The ones that take away moisture are called "Dehumidifiers"  we used to have one in my parents basement.

Yea, I thought of that AFTER I posted... Duh. I blame pregnancy brain.

jessicaclare

We have one in DD's room for when she gets sick. If you get one for baby's room, I recommend getting a filterless one, because its much less likely to grow mold.

 

We also have one in our basement in winter, because we heat our house with a woodstove and that's very dry heat. 

mnbride1013

I just used one when I had a cold - by keeping moisture in the air, which you breathe in, it keeps your nasal passages and lungs moist to help move the mucous out more easily.  Otherwise, if the mucous in your body is constantly being dried out, it makes it harder to get out. 

We'll be using one in our little one's room in the cold, dry MN winters.  Not so much in the summer, though, unless we have a drought or something.

taelir

They're totally worth it, even if you live in a humid area.

I happen to love the Vicks humidifiers where you can pour solution into the humidifier water.  They're also really, really easy to clean.

tigpom

They help put moisture in the air.  We use them at night when I have been real conjested and it seems to help.