When humidifiers are being used in small or tight quarters, keep the unit a safe distance away from the baby. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that a cool mist vaporizer be kept at least 3 feet away from children’s cribs and playpens, and it is safest to place vaporizers on an “out of reach” basis.
This is one area where I took what was printed at face value without looking too much into it. It was recommended by my Lactation Consultant (LC), and most everyone knows, you do what your LC says right? Well this panics me more than anything! I already have stuff everywhere – we don’t need something that needs to be placed out of arms reach of baby. I do like the idea of cool mist though, that’s something I didn’t know much about when she mentioned it, but now I’m really wanting one.
I’ve tried to look for information online and all I can find is “it depends on your child” or “fill in the blank with how many feet”. It does make you wonder if they even know because it seems like there are no real rules. Which brings me to my next point…
**INFORMATION SECTION–PLEASE READ THROUGH THIS**
*This section contains valuable information that could save your childs life! Because this is so important please read through everything!***
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has concluded that there may be a link between the use of humidifiers and respiratory infections in children. In addition, the most recent reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) state that most U.S. households use portable electric or fuel-burning humidifiers during cold and flu season to moisten indoor air …
the CDC has been investigating an outbreak of illness among infants potentially related to distilled water used in a popular brand of ultrasonic cool-mist humidifiers sold at major retailers nationwide … A total of 15 cases have been reported to CDC from five states: three from New York, two from Ohio, ten from Michigan, and one from Minnesota … Investigators tested eight different humidifier models used by case patients with their own distilled water in a laboratory. They found that most of the humidifiers produced enough bacteria and mold to become contaminated themselves when using distilled water …
“In terms of what parents can do to be proactive, I think it is important for them to realize that humidifiers can be reservoirs for bacteria and mold,” Snow said. “That means they should clean their humidifier every day . It is probably not a bad idea to run vinegar through it occasionally, which you can do with any brand or model.”(1)
Source: 1. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111123105607.htm Related post: How To Clean Your Humidifier Using Vinegar and Other Hacks! Reference: Rao, P., Medical News Today. Humidifier use in the home may pose health risks to young children. Medical News Today website. Web. 3 Nov 2011. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/221074.php Accessed: 3rd November 2011