New Parent Air Purifier: Are Air Purifiers Safe for Babies?

Air purifiers are a great addition to any home, and a home with a newborn baby may stand to gain more than others. Air purifiers clean the air of countless irritants, and even some harmful things in the air, which can really take a toll on a newborn’s weak immune system.

Most air purifiers are both safe, and even beneficial to your newborn’s health. These benefits are especially noticeable when you have an air purifier in your baby’s nursery, where they will spend most of their time.

Many of us have never heard of an air purifier, so it stands to reason that we may question if they are safe. And if they are safe, are they good to have in their nursery? In this installment of “New Parent Air Purifier”, we hope to address these questions.

New Parents and Baby Nursery

Many people have been dreaming of the day that they will finally be able to set up a nursery for their baby. Some people prepare months in advance, while others like to wait until the due date is a lot closer. Either way, there is undoubtedly a lot of excitement in your household right now.

By now, you’ve probably either bought or started searching for necessities like a crib, rocking chair, various toys, and a changing table. If you’ve really gone all out, you may have already decorated, and repainted your child’s (or child-to-be’s) room. But, odds are, you haven’t considered purchasing an air purifier for the room so that your baby has fresh air, and that the home air quality is absent of all indoor air pollutants.

Air purifiers, for those of you who have no idea what they are, are machines that clean your home’s air of particles, like dust, pollen, and other allergens. They can also clear the air of harmful gasses like VOCs (more on that later), and even dangerous viruses and bacteria!

Air purifiers can do this by utilizing various filters and treatments for the air that they process. Some air purifiers clean the air a lot better than others, and some can do a lot more than others as well. The best starting point when you are looking at purchasing an air purifier for your baby is to find a unit that has a HEPA filter.

As we are sure you know by now, a baby’s needs can vary greatly from your own needs. This can hold true with what they need in an air purifier as well! Visit our post on finding the best air purifier for your baby for a more in-depth look at what your baby will need, or read on below!

HEPA filters are found in the upper echelons of air purifiers because they work so well. That being said, they are also available in cheaper models, which are a lot more appealing to a lot more people. HEPA filters are designed to filter out more than 99 percent of the particles in the air of your home, even all the way down to particles that are several times smaller than a human hair! HEPA technology purifies the air and filters germs and bacteria.

What does this mean to you? Well, this means that even the smallest allergens will be captured, and pulled out of the air that your baby is, or will be breathing. A lot of babies suffer from allergies, and even childhood asthma, and a HEPA filter can really help them breathe easy. In addition to filtering out common allergens like pollen, dust, and dander, HEPA filters can also help to capture some viruses and bacteria that can make your child sick. They are not the all-time best at cleansing the air of pathogens, but they do do a pretty good job. If you have concerns about these microscopic threats, you may be interested in purchasing an air purifier with a built-in sanitizer.

If your baby has asthma, then we are sure you know how scary that can be. If your baby is stubborn, then you probably know how hard it is to give them their medication as well! Fortunately for you, an air purifier can actually work to lessen the severity, and frequency of asthma attacks at your home, which can be a literal lifesaver. Check out our post on air purifiers for baby asthma to learn more!

Finally, HEPA filters are also known for mitigating odors! This includes all of the smells that come along with having a baby. Again, these filters are not the best at clearing the air of odors. If you would like to fully address odor issues, then you had best turn to true HEPA air purifiers that also have an activated carbon filter. Carbon filters are generally a rather cheap add-on that is well worth every penny that you paid.

In addition to cleaning the air of odors, carbon filters can also cleanse the air of harmful gasses. These gasses include everything from smoke to VOCs (or Volatile Organic Compounds). Smoke and VOCs both bring about an array of health issues later in life, in addition to immediate issues.

Most air cleaning devices out there are very safe to use. In fact, there are a lot of companies that cater directly to what you will need, as they manufacture air purifiers specifically for babies. That being said, we recommend avoiding air purifiers that utilize ozone generation, and air ionizers, as these can be potentially harmful. Your best bet will be to purchase an air purifier that uses a True HEPA filter, and even an activated carbon filter, if you want really clean air. This combination (HEPA and charcoal filters) are safe, and work very well!

To learn more about air purifier filters, check out our post that delves into the importance of these air filters! There are lots of filters on the market, and some work a lot better than others. We hope to guide you towards finding the best filter for you, at the best price!

In the end, an air purifier is very safe to use around your newborn, and can actually save them from some of the unsafe things in the air around them!

ARE ALL AIR PURIFIERS SAFE FOR BABIES?

No! Not all air purifiers are safe for adults, much less, safe for babies. For a baby (and even for adults), your safest option will have both a HEPA filter, and an activated charcoal filter. These air filters are safe to use, and unlike other air purifier technologies, they don’t have any harmful side effects.

Air purifiers that you should avoid like the plague are ones that have ozone generators. Ozone generators belch out large amounts of ozone, which actively attacks everything it comes into contact with. Ozone molecules attack everything from particles to cells, which is what your baby (and you) are made up of! This means that ozone generators are harmful to your body, and therefore, your health.

Ozone is known to have the greatest impact on your lungs, where it actively attacks your lung’s cells once you inhale it. This is why ozone generators are dangerous to use. Fortunately, they do put out an odor, which means you’ll be able to smell if it’s around. If you do have an ozone generator, be sure to never use it with people around.

Another type of air purifier out there that we think you should be wary of is an air ionizer. Many air ionizers are safe to use, and work very well. However, some create ozone, which, as we already said, is hazardous to your health. Most companies have reduced the amount of ozone generated by these units to a safer level, and others have just about eliminated it. Be wary when looking at purchasing air ionizers, and avoid them, if you can, with babies. Emit ozone.

Some air purification units come with a built-in air ionizer. Generally, this extra system can be turned on and off at will, which can be very nice. The amount of ozone released by these ionizers aren’t too bad for adults, but any level of ozone is bad for babies. After all, their lungs are still growing and developing!

WHAT IS THE BEST AIR PURIFIER FOR BABIES?

The best air purifier for babies and newborns needs to be several things. The first of which, is safe. If the air purifier isn’t safe, then what is the point in cleaning the air in your nursery at all? Fortunately, there are quite a few safe options to use out there. One such option, that doesn’t get a whole lot of attention, is a water-based air purifier. We will discuss more about these later on, and share why these can be perfect for your baby.

Other safe options for your baby’s air purifier are HEPA air filters and even traditional air filters. Traditional air filters don’t clean the air as well as a HEPA filter, but most of them are a lot cheaper, and that may be exactly what you need, especially if this is your first child. If you have a concern with odors, then an activated carbon filter will also be an invaluable asset down the road.

Next up is what does your filter do? If your baby has allergies, then you had best buy an air purifier with a HEPA filter, as a traditional filter won’t cut it. Even if you have concerns that your child may have allergies, then this is a great option for you. It doesn’t cost too much more, especially for the peace of mind that it will give you.

If your child does have allergies, then we strongly recommend doing something to remediate this issue in your home! This can take the form of keeping the dog outside, cleaning more often, or something along those lines.

If your baby is allergic to dust, then air cleaners can help to reduce the amount of dust in their nursery! Check out our post on air purifiers and dust control to learn more about this! If your baby is allergic to pet dander, then check out our article on the best air purifier for pet owners! 

As the old saying goes, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” and this holds true with managing your child’s allergies. New parents have enough to worry about, and allergy attacks are a biggie! An air purifier, and a proper cleaning regiment for your home, can help to limit your stress!

As we’ve already stated, activated charcoal is also super important. You’ll regret not having one after your first diaper change! Or, you’ll be thankful for having one, provided you purchased an air purifier that had a carbon filter. They also clear the indoor air of VOCs, which we previously mentioned, and will go into further detail on in a bit.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF HAVING AN AIR PURIFIER FOR NEWBORNS?

You may still be asking yourself “Why do I need an air purifier for my baby?” This is a very valid question, even after everything we’ve gone over in this article. Read on for even more reasons for buying an air purifier for your newborn!

Babies, and even children in general, are more susceptible to everything that is in the air that you and I breathe. Be it mold spores, allergens, and pollutants, and even viruses and bacteria, your child is worse off than you in their fight against these microscopic threats. After all, their lungs are still weak, as they haven’t fully developed, and their immune system is also still getting used to the outside world!

Remove allergens, it removes odors, removes dust, and bacteria viruses, while helping others with their asthma and allergy symptoms. Your nursery air purifier will create fresh air while it ionizers air and improve your indoor air quality.

If you have a moisture issue in your home, then you’ll need a dehumidifier for your baby’s nursery. New parents oftentimes get overwhelmed, and forget to clean the baby’s room as thoroughly as they ought to, which can make moisture-related issues even worse! Check out our post on air purifiers and dehumidifiers to learn more about how these systems can help you. Just a heads up though, it’ll probably be more helpful, beneficial, and even cheaper to buy a dehumidifier and an air purifier as two separate units!

In addition to these dangerous particles in the air, there is also a risk in the gaseous substances in your child’s room as well! This, as we’ve already said, includes VOCs. If you are like many new parents, you’ve already inadvertently added several sources of harmful VOCs to your newborn’s nursery.

You may be wondering what you could have possibly done that could be a source of VOCs. Have you put on a fresh coat of paint? Or maybe you’ve bought some new carpet or drapes. Even that brand new furniture likely releases VOCs into your nursery’s air. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are chemical compounds that are in the majority of things that we use every day.

Brand new carpet, paint, and furniture release a lot more VOCs than identical things that are a bit older. All of the adhesives in your carpet, paint, and furniture release VOCs. Aerosol sprays release VOCs. So many things that you’ll need, or already have, release a lot of VOCs, especially because they are new. There’s a reason why fresh paint and glue can make you lightheaded, and that’s because that’s a side-effect of VOC exposure.

We recommend purchasing what you can as early as possible (before your child’s birth), as this will allow for all of your purchases to release a lot of their VOCs before your arrival date. But, even if you do this, we still recommend having an activated carbon filter to save your baby from breathing in more VOCs than is healthy.

And now we return to the solid particles out there that your baby will be exposed to. These particles, which include allergens, and other particulates can negatively impact your child’s breathing. In fact, this oftentimes results in runny noses, headaches, and even rashes, among countless other air-quality-related issues.

Although we are sure you want to keep your newborn safe from these irritants and hazards, we also have a selfish addon for you too. Air purifiers can help your baby sleep better, which means they won’t wake you up as often through the night.

We recommend purchasing what you can as early as possible (before your child’s birth), as this will allow for all of your purchases to release a lot of their VOCs before your arrival date. But, even if you do this, we still recommend having an activated carbon filter to save your baby from breathing in more VOCs than is healthy.

And now we return to the solid particles out there that your baby will be exposed to. These particles, which include allergens, and other particulates can negatively impact your child’s breathing. In fact, this oftentimes results in runny noses, headaches, and even rashes, among countless other air-quality-related issues.

Although we are sure you want to keep your newborn safe from these irritants and hazards, we also have a selfish addon for you too. Air purifiers can help your baby sleep better, which means they won’t wake you up as often through the night.

We recommend purchasing what you can as early as possible (before your child’s birth), as this will allow for all of your purchases to release a lot of their VOCs before your arrival date. But, even if you do this, we still recommend having an activated carbon filter to save your baby from breathing in more VOCs than is healthy.

And now we return to the solid particles out there that your baby will be exposed to. These particles, which include allergens, and other particulates can negatively impact your child’s breathing. In fact, this oftentimes results in runny noses, headaches, and even rashes, among countless other air-quality-related issues.

Although we are sure you want to keep your newborn safe from these irritants and hazards, we also have a selfish addon for you too. Air purifiers can help your baby sleep better, which means they won’t wake you up as often through the night.

WHAT IS AN AFFORDABLE AIR PURIFIER FOR BABIES?

Air purifiers come in all shapes and sizes. They also come with a huge variety of prices. Odds are, you’re probably a little strapped for cash, and only have a little bit to spare. Fortunately, there are a lot of cheap portable air purifiers out there that are still very appealing. They may not do as much as their expensive counterparts, but they still clean the air, which is your greatest battle.

A lot of air purifiers that are designed for babies will be on the cheaper end of the spectrum. In fact, they also generally have cute designs, which allows them to integrate well into your child’s nursery. These baby air purifiers are generally able to be cheaper because they are designed for smaller spaces (i.e. your newborn’s nursery). These air purifiers also tend to lack all of the extra systems which are present in more expensive units.

Check out our post on finding an affordable air purifier that is actually worth buying for more information. New parents have enough to worry about as it is, so we compiled everything you’ll need to know in that post!

Humidity is very important for babies. Especially if they are sick, and congested. You’ll be hard-pressed to find an air purifier that can add humidity to your baby’s nursery while also cleaning the air. You’ll find it even harder to come across an air purifier that also works as an essential oil diffuser, while still remaining in your price range. That is where a water-based air purifier comes in.

If your baby is sick, you can rush on over to our post on air purifiers for baby congestion. We know how hard life can get if you have a sick, congested baby! In case you’re short on time, we’ll tell you right here and now that a humidifier can help to ease your baby’s congestion, allowing them to rest, and get over their illness.

Water-based air purifiers are very safe to use in your child’s nursery. In fact, they can be safe than some air humidifiers, since these units don’t release hot steam into the air, which your child can burn themselves on when they explore where they shouldn’t. Water-based air purifiers use water as their filter, which means they don’t use any chemicals that can cause irritation.

The drawback to water-based air purifiers is that they don’t clean the air as well as a HEPA filter. They also require cleaning, which needs to be done every week or so in order to stay on top of any issues that can arise due to their water filter. If you fail to keep these machines clean, they can become a breeding ground for bacteria, and a launching pad for mold.

In the end, water-based air purifiers are really cheap, and can do a lot for their price. We really like these systems, but if you can’t keep them clean, then you shouldn’t get one. In addition to this, if you need really clean air, these are not a good choice for you, but neither is any cheap option.

If you’re on a budget, water-based air purifiers, or normal baby air purifiers will be a great choice for you. They may not work nearly as well as the more expensive units out there, but air that is a little cleaner beats air that hasn’t been cleaned at all.

If you’d like to check out the air purifiers that I recommend that have HEPA filters, then you can check out my list of the best ones here: Air Purifier Essentials Top Picks: Best HEPA Air Purifiers on the Market.

Other features that you may consider looking at a comparison chart: a sleep mode, cool mist, portable air purifiers or full size, cost of replacement filters, fan speeds available, HEPA technology, uv lights and many other features that you can find on an air purifier buying guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are VOCs?

VOCs also known as Volatile Organic Compounds are chemicals that are released by everyday items such as cleaning solutions, aerosols, and paint. They are known to cause diseases later in life, and they can worsen the effects and severity of Asthma.

I Think my Baby is Allergic to Dust, What Should I Do?

There are plenty of options out there for you. One is to just up your cleaning schedule for everything your baby is in contact with. This includes stuffed animals, bedding, and blankie, all of which should be washed on hot to take care of the dust, and dust mites. You will also have to vacuum regularly. If this doesn’t do the trick, you will likely have to spend some money and buy an air purifier for your baby, in order to capture all of the dust in the air he or she breathes.

Why Don’t Normal Air Purifiers Capture VOCs?

VOCs are gasses, which means they are a lot smaller than the particles that even a HEPA filter can capture. VOCs have to be captured with impregnated carbon filters, which have special chemicals embedded into their structure so that they can deal specifically with VOCs. 

What is the Best Air Purifier for Pet Fur?

The best air purifier for someone who has pets, and has an issue with said pet’s fur, will need a pre-filter. These filters will maximize the lifespan of your main filter, which ought to be a HEPA filter in order to sift allergens and odors caused by your pet. If odors are an issue with your pet, then you may need to purchase an HEPA air purifier with a carbon filter as well.

Is it Safe to Run an Air Purifier 24/7?

Yes, in fact, most air purifiers are supposed to be run around the clock! They are safe to sleep around, and experience life around. However, ozone generators should not be used with people in the same room, as they can be hazardous to your health.