Vaporizer or Cool Mist Humidifier for Congestion

I actually use both. Vicks makes a hot steam vaporizer that puts the vick's in the air to help clear them up, but in addition I also put the humidifier in my son's room. It seems to really work. He has gotten croup a few times in the past and since we started using both, he hasn't gotten it, or if he has it is no where near as extreme as it was before. Also, Vick's makes a 'baby rub' made for children 3 months and up. So that may help with the congestion.

I think the concern is usually over hot vapors vs. cool ones, but cool mist vaporizer vs. humidifier is your choice. Find something that will be easy for you to clean. I found that the humidifier got too much water on the dresser so I had to put it in a plant drip-pan.

Do not put Vicks in the water or on your child yet. He is too young and children can react to it and develop worse breathing problems. There is a Vicks BabyRub, which is just a soothing blend of herbs with none of the Menthol, so it is safe for babies (I actually use it on myself, too). I also agree about the saline/boogie drops. That can help if the congestion is nasal. Unfortunately, we always still had relciner nights with the kids. It doesn't sound like croup, but you could also try the hot, steamy shower. Hang out in the bathroom with the hot shower running for about 20 minutes before bedtime. We just play with toys and books on the floor or "draw" on the mirror. Hope he feels better!

Our pediatrician told us to have our daughters sleep in their carseat when they were that congested. We would also tilt the crib matresss upward. We were told to sit in the bathroom w/the shower blasting hot water so the steam could help clear out their passage ways.

I hear ya with the colic - our oldest was the oldest baby our pediatrician had seen w/it - it definitely took a lot out of us, as well as all of the colds & everything do. Good luck!

I have a waterless vaporizer that I use when my kids are sick. It works like a glade plug-in. And it has the eucalyptis smell so it helps to clear up breathing. My son will ask for it when he can't breath. You can get it in the vaporizer section at Walmart.

HI!I have 6 year old twins and my son was colicky when he was a baby! He got sick alot and doctor told me cool mist humidifier was better than vaporizer when he had a cough and was congested!And it helped!Someone told me to put Vicks vapor rub on bottom of his feet and then put socks on his feet and it will help if he was coughing! I tried it and it worked!I also looked it up on the internet and it is true! TRY IT!!!
GOOD LUCK!

try some saline drops in the nose. Those work so well for my son, that we don't even need/use a humidfier.
Good luck!
Lynsey

I have found and my pediatrician says the warm air humidifer is better...ohh and definitley the boogie snatcher with saline drops. My 9 month old just got over a cold and that is what I used. It only lasted a couple days and he is much better now!

Good Luck

Hi J.,
Let your son sleep in his infant seat - prop it if need be to keep it upright, this way you won't have to kangaroo him all night long and will help you get some sleep.
For my son, together with the infant seat, we used a vaporizer, with a few drops of melaleuca oil (safe and natural) in it and sprayed some on his pillow before putting the pillowcase over it. It helped him tremendously and we weren't exposing him to harsh chemicals.
Humidifier is essential, dry air in the room worsens the congestion.
Good luck.
L.
http://www.mykidsmyworld.com

i have always used a vaporizer with my son, we have a cool mist, but i just don't think it works as well.

sleeping in the car seat or swing with help at night because it will keep him upright.

you can also use a "booger sucker" with saline to clear out his noise.