Do You Need An Air Purifier For A Baby Nursery? (Explained)

I remember how exciting it was to plan our baby’s nursery. That was years ago, and I wish I had known then what I know now about air purification.

You need to do several things to get ready for your baby, and making sure their air is clean should be at the top of the list. Fortunately, several air purifiers can give your newborn fresh, clean air.

If you’re preparing to bring your bundle of joy into the world, keep reading. I’ll tell you all you need to know about air purifiers for your baby nursery.

Do I Need An Air Purifier For My Baby’s Room?

Ensuring your baby’s nursery has clean and healthy air is incredibly important. That’s why I always tell expecting parents that an air purifier is just as important as a diaper genie for the nursery.

Air purifiers are designed to filter out any potentially harmful chemicals, toxins, and other indoor air pollution from the air in your home. Putting an air purifier in the nursery will provide your baby with a clean and fresh environment, which is crucial for their health and well-being.

However, it’s worth taking the time to understand how air purifiers work and what benefits they offer before purchasing.

Air purifiers come in three main types:

Mechanical Filtration

Mechanical filtration air purifiers use a fan to draw air through a filter, which captures and removes particles from the air. These filters can be made from materials like fiberglass or synthetic fibers and come in various sizes and types. Some of the best air filters are HEPA filters and activated carbon filters.

As air passes through the filter, small pollutants like dust, pollen, and pet dander become trapped in the fibers, leaving the air cleaner and fresher. The effectiveness of mechanical filtration air purifiers will vary depending on the type and quality of the filter used and the fan’s airflow rate.

Ionic

Ionic air purifiers emit negatively charged ions into the air, which attach to positively charged particles such as dust, pollen, and pet dander. This creates an electrical charge, making the particles too heavy to float and fall to the ground or other surfaces.

As a result, the air is effectively cleaned of these harmful particles. However, many ionic air purifiers also produce ozone, which can be especially harmful to babies in high concentrations.

Ozone-generating

Ozone generating air purifiers produce ozone, a molecule composed of three oxygen atoms. The purifier uses an electrical charge or UV radiation to convert oxygen molecules (O2) into ozone (O3). Ozone molecules attach to and oxidize air pollutants, bacteria, and viruses, effectively neutralizing them.

However, as I mentioned above, ozone itself can be quite harmful, particularly in high concentrations. It can irritate the lungs and exacerbate respiratory conditions, and that’s not something you want to put your baby through.

Because of this, ozone-generating cleaners are not recommended for use in occupied spaces. They should only be used in unoccupied areas with proper ventilation.

What Type Of Air Purifier Is NOT Safe For Babies?

I touched on this idea above, but this is really important, so I gave it its own section. When choosing an air purifier for your baby’s nursery, there are a few types of air purifiers that you must avoid.

Ozone air purifiers should only be used when people and animals are not in the area. Ozone generators irritate the eyes and skin and can cause particular problems for babies due to their more sensitive bodies.

This issue has also been reported with UV-C air purifiers and ionic purifiers, which can also produce low levels of ozone. To ensure the safety of you and your baby, avoiding air purifiers that give off ozone is best. Even the best air purifier that produces ozone is not safe.

I always recommend purifiers with HEPA and activated carbon filters to remove polluted air for babies.

Benefits Of An Air Purifier For Babies

Air purifiers offer a range of benefits for babies that can help improve their overall health and well-being. Here are some of the key benefits:

1. Improved respiratory health: Babies have smaller lungs than adults, so they are more susceptible to breathing in toxins and pollutants. Air purifiers reduce the concentration of these harmful particles, so it’s easier for babies to breathe.
2. Better sleep: Air purifiers also help improve the quality of your baby’s sleep. Many cleaners have a “white noise” effect, which is soothing and relaxing to many babies, so they fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.
3. Reduced odors: Certain air purifiers, like those with activated carbon filters, can help reduce unwanted smells and scents in the room. This will give your baby a fresh and clean environment for your baby.
4. Lower risk of allergies: By removing toxins and pollutants from the air, air purifiers can also help reduce the risk of allergies and illnesses, which is excellent for your baby’s overall health and well-being.
5. Protection from secondhand smoke: If anyone in your household smokes or if you live in an area with high levels of air pollution, air purifiers are especially beneficial for your baby. They help remove harmful particles from secondhand smoke and other airborne pollutants, reducing the risk of respiratory problems and other health issues.
6. Fewer airborne viruses: Air purifiers can also help remove certain airborne viruses, like the flu and colds, from the air. This is especially important when babies are more susceptible to illness during cold and flu season.
7. Improved skin health: Babies can be prone to skin irritation and rashes caused by pollutants and allergens in the air. Removing these irritants can improve your baby’s skin health.
8. Peace of mind: For me, the most important benefit of air purifiers for babies is peace of mind. As a parent, you want to ensure that your baby is always safe and healthy. Air purifiers can help provide that peace of mind by reducing the risk of harmful pollutants and improving overall air quality.

Will An Air Purifier Help With Baby Congestion?

Most air purifiers can help to reduce congestion in babies if they suffer from congestion caused by allergens and pollutants in the air. According to experts, HEPA filters can seriously improve the quality of the air inside of the room as the trap airborne particles, including those that can cause respiratory issues. [1]

The American Lung Association and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognize the role of air purifiers in improving indoor air quality and reducing exposure to harmful pollutants. The presence of an air purifier in a single space, like a bedroom or nursery, allows your little one to breathe cleaner air and boosts sleep quality.

Are Purifiers Safe For Babies?

I always stress safety when using an air purifier, and that goes double when placing it in a bay nursery. First, putting the air purifier at least 3 feet from your baby and their crib can help to reduce the risk of dampness and mold.

You should also ensure the air purifier is away from hazards and tiny hands that may be able to grab it. A central location in the room is ideal for optimal results and safety.

Running the air purifier throughout the day and night is safe and can promote better sleep for your baby. Just be sure you clean the filters at least once a month so harmful particles and allergens don’t accumulate in your home.

The filters are designed to trap these particles, so it’s essential to keep them clean and in good condition for the health and well-being of your baby. So, are air purifiers safe for babies? Absolutely, as long as you take care of them.

Common Air Purifier In Nursery Questions

Is HEPA filter safe for babies?

HEPA filters are safe for babies. This type of air filter can remove pollutants and leave the air fresh and clean, just be sure to clean and replace them as necessary.

Are carbon filters safe for babies?

Carbon filters are safe for babies. Activated carbon filters remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the air without the risk of producing potentially harmful ozone.

Do newborns need air purifiers?

Newborns can benefit greatly from air purifiers. They offer a number of benefits for newborns, including reducing toxins and pollutants from the air, improving sleep quality, reducing the risk of allergies, and even reducing unwanted odors. A portable air purifier can even be moved from room to room to follow your baby.

What is better for a baby – humidifier or purifier?

A humidifier and a purifier can both be great for a baby. You can opt for a purifier and a humidifier combination that will let your baby enjoy the benefits of clean, filtered air, combined with the decongestant properties of a humidifier.

Conclusion

I know you want the best for your baby, and so do I. That’s why I can’t recommend air purifiers for your baby’s nursery enough.

A quality purifier can offer a range of benefits for your baby’s health, well-being, sleep, and happiness.

With my guide above, you can now make a confident choice, purchase the best product, and offer your baby all the benefits a purifier can offer.

Sources:

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3165134/