Warm vs cool mist humidifier

JJ&BB1146 · December 2011

We already have DD a cool mist humidifier. We bought it when she got croup at 4 months and have used it several times. I was reading on Dr. S E A R S website yesterday about colds and they said to use a warm mist humidifier. What is the difference between the two (minus the obviously warm/cool mist) as far as usage and what they're used for?

Chandley · December 2011

I'm sure there is a difference, but the skeptic in me has to wonder - by the time the mist even reaches the kid, it is cool, right? So does warm even do anything different?

Taytee · December 2011

Cool Mist all the way.

They almost can't over-humidify the air. You don't want the air wet. Just not dry. Warm mist humidifiers keep pumping moisture into the air even if it's already saturated. That can lead to mold and mildew which makes things worse.

Also, by nature, most cool mist humidifiers pose no danger to the baby if they were to escape from their crib to play with it and or if you have it in a toddlers room. Warm mist usually equals heat somewhere in the process (steam etc) and some designs can cause burns.

Sometimes warm humid air can ease Croup, so if I need that, a steamy shower for a few minutes will do the trick. Even with Croup, they don't necessarily need to sleep in the warm humid air. You just want to calm the cough. Warm humid air, then a little walk outside in the cool air can stop it in it's tracks.