I really think that it’s time we add humidifiers to our baby essentials lists in the UK, after all, anything that could give a bit longer between those night feeds is a must have right?
I went to a trade show a few weeks ago and came across these darling cool mist humidifiers from Crane. The first thing I thought was, gosh they are so gorgeous, but the second thing was, ‘Why are they here?’. Here in the UK we don’t really see humidifiers as a baby essential when we are doing those first scouts around the shops, it’s not even added to the majority of ‘must have lists’, but in the USA it is one of the top things new parents to be look out for along with other essentials like a pram etc.
I went over the have a chat with the lady at the stand and she gave me some wonderful information that I really wanted to share with you all. Did you know that your newborn is what is called an obligate nasal breather? They have to breath through their noses, and I’m sure a tonne of us can say that we’ve dropped into a really deep sleep, woken up totally blocked up because we’ve been breathing through our noses all night.
This is something that your new bundle of joy will do for the first 4-6 months of their lives too (are you seeing a parallel between all those stuffy noses and colds now?). I did a little bit more of my own research when I got home, and incidentally paediatricians recommend humidifiers all over the world, not just in the U.S. So why doesn’t this get passed down through our midwives and health visitors?!
Humidifiers actually moisten the nasal passages so that our baby can sleep better at night. Yep, you read that right – Sleep. Better. At. Night. Personally, they had me at sleep!
Humidifiers actually moisten the nasal passages so that our baby can sleep better at night. Yep, you read that right – Sleep. Better. At. Night. Personally, they had me at sleep! I’ve often been told by my doctor to avoid cough medicine (especially for Toby who has juvenile asthma) as it really isn’t recommended for children and has little effect on stopping a cough, but can mask problems. With a humidifier, your child is a.) less likely to get a cough, and b.) if they do this will help to smooth it naturally and without any potentially harmful drugs.
Another reason I found out it’s important to add that humidifier to your baby essentials list is because it helps to prevent dry skin (hello flaky fingers and feet – we’ve all seen them right?).
What I really love about the Crane humidifiers (apart from their absolutely adorable designs – or their ultra stylish droplet humidifiers for the sleek mama) is that they use cool most which 1.) makes it super safe for the kids – no burnt fingers and 2.) can help treat the symptoms of croup, something that a friend of mine has suffered with terribly with her little girl.
I really think that it’s time we add humidifiers to our baby essentials lists in the UK, after all, anything that could give a bit longer between those night feeds is a must have right?
Harriet x
