Bringing a new baby home is an exciting time, and as a parent, you want to make sure every detail of their environment is just right. You've probably thought about the crib, the temperature, and the baby monitor, but have you considered the best humidity level for their room?
It might sound like a small detail, but getting the humidity just right can make a big difference for your little one’s health and comfort.
In this article, we discuss what the best humidity level is for a baby’s room, why it matters so much, and how you can keep their environment as comfortable and safe as possible.
Key Takeaways
The best humidity level for your baby’s room
The basic science of humidity
Before we get to the best humidity level for your baby’s room, it’s useful to understand exactly what we mean by “humidity.”
When we talk about humidity, we’re really talking about relative humidity. Relative humidity is called “relative” because it expresses the amount of moisture in the air as a percentage of the maximum moisture the air can hold at a specific temperature.
Essentially, relative humidity is a ratio (e.g., 50 out of 100), not an absolute measurement. This becomes important for a variety of reasons that we’ll discuss later on in this article.
Now that you’ve got a basic understanding of humidity (i.e., relative humidity), let’s discuss the best humidity level for your baby’s room.
The ideal humidity level
What’s the ideal humidity level for a baby's room? Well, sorry to disappoint, but it’s not a single number. Instead, it’s a range of numbers that constitutes the sweet spot for most indoor and outdoor environments.
What is that range? Most experts and pediatricians agree that the best relative humidity level for babies is between 40% and 60%. Anything above 60% increases the risk for mold.
Within this range, the air and moisture are “balanced” to help prevent many of the problems that can develop in either a too-dry or too-humid environment. What are those problems? We’ll discuss them in the next section.
Why humidity matters so much for your baby
At this point, you might be thinking, "It's just water in the air. How big a deal can it be?". The truth is, it can be a very big deal, especially for your baby's developing body.
Here’s why humidity matters so much for your baby.
Respiratory health
Your baby's respiratory system is still very new and, in some ways, underdeveloped. That makes them very sensitive to changes in the air condition.
When the air is too dry, it can dry out the mucus membranes in their nose and throat. This makes it harder for their little bodies to fight off germs and viruses.
Proper humidity helps keep their nose and throat moist and healthy, which is their first line of defense against illness. Proper humidity can also help soothe a stuffy nose, making it easier for them to breathe, especially if they have a cold.
Skin health
Your baby’s skin is incredibly delicate and prone to dryness. Low humidity can quickly lead to dry, flaky skin; chapped lips; and even aggravate conditions like eczema.
Maintaining optimal humidity levels helps keep their skin soft and moisturized and protects them and their skin from irritation and discomfort.
Sleep quality
Most parents will agree that a well-rested baby is a happy baby. When your baby is uncomfortable, whether from a dry nose, itchy skin, or a tickle in their throat, it can disrupt their sleep.
Optimal humidity levels help create a more comfortable environment that leads to better and more restful sleep for both your baby and you.
Comfort and well-being
At the end of the day, it's about making your baby as comfortable as possible. A room with the right humidity level just feels better. It's not too stuffy, not too dry, and it helps create a peaceful, healthy space for your little one to grow and thrive.
Signs that the humidity level is too high or too low
Too high
Musty odor: If you walk into your baby’s room and it smells damp or musty, it’s a good bet that the humidity is too high.
Condensation on windows: If you notice moisture or water droplets on the inside of the windows, it could be a sign that the humidity is too high. Condensation happens when the warm, moist air inside the room meets the cooler window glass and turns back into liquid water.
Mold and mildew: Mold and mildew love a humid environment. The problem is that both can be harmful to your baby’s health. Look for black, green, or white spots on walls, ceilings, in corners, or on fabrics.
Increased allergens: Allergens like dust mites often thrive in humid environments. If you notice that you or your baby are sneezing or coughing more, this could be a sign of allergens brought on by high humidity.
Signs the humidity is too low
Dry skin or lips: If you notice your dry, flaky patches on your baby’s skin or their lips get chapped more often than before, low humidity could be the problem.
Nasal dryness: Low humidity can dry out your baby’s nasal passages, which, in turn, can cause congestion or a stuffy nose.
Frequent coughing: Dry air can irritate their throat and lead to a cough, especially at night.
Static electricity: If you find yourself getting frequent static shocks when touching objects in your baby’s room, it's a tell-tale sign that the humidity is too low.
How to monitor and adjust the humidity level in your baby’s room
Place a hygrometer in your baby’s room.
A hygrometer is a small, inexpensive device that measures the relative humidity level in a room. Place the hygrometer in your baby’s room, and it will give you a clear reading of the moisture in the air.
Run a humidifier.
Humidifiers come in two types: cool mist or warm mist.
The main benefit of cool mist humidifiers is that they don’t use a heating element, therefore eliminating the risk of burns. They are also fairly energy-efficient and quiet.
Warm mist humidifiers heat up water and release the moisture as steam. While this could be helpful when it comes to keeping air clean, the risks outweigh any potential benefits. The AAP recommends against warm mist humidifiers around babies because of burn risks.
Run a dehumidifier.
Dehumidifiers work by pulling moist air from the room, passing it over a cooling coil that condenses the water vapor into liquid (which is stored in a tank you’ll eventually need to empty), and then recirculating the drier air back into the room.
The benefits of running a dehumidifier include making the air feel less sticky and more comfortable, reducing allergens, and preventing mold and mildew growth.
Comfort is key!
A well-regulated environment is a simple yet powerful way to ensure your baby's health and comfort. It’s worth the time and effort to maintain the best humidity level for their room.
Start by measuring the humidity in their room with a hygrometer. Then, whether you have to run a humidifier or a dehumidifier, try to maintain the relative humidity between 40 and 60%.
For more ways to keep your baby comfortable and help them have the best sleep possible, visit NewtonBaby.com.
Frequently asked questions
How does humidity affect temperature?
Humidity and temperature are closely linked. The ideal temperature for a baby's room is generally between 68°F (20°C) and 72°F (22.2°C).
High humidity can make a room feel warmer than it is to the point that your baby can become overheated. Low humidity, on the other hand, can make it feel cooler than it is to the point that your baby can become chilled.
Maintaining both the correct temperature and humidity level is key to your baby's comfort and health.
Can I use tap water in my humidifier?
While it’s generally easier and more convenient, we don’t recommend using tap water in your humidifier.
Tap water contains minerals that can build up inside the humidifier. Eventually, the buildup becomes “white dust” that gets pumped back into the air and reduces the air quality in your baby’s room.
That same mineral buildup can also reduce the effectiveness of the humidifier so that it can’t maintain the best humidity level in your baby’s room.
What can I use if I don’t have distilled water?
If distilled water is unavailable, alternatives include deionized water, reverse osmosis (RO) water, filtered tap water, and boiled tap water.
Deionized water and reverse osmosis water are the best options because the minerals and impurities have been removed.
Whether you can use filtered tap water depends on the quality of the filter the water passes through. If the filter removes all minerals and impurities, you can use the water in your humidifier.
You can also use boiled tap water in a pinch, but the water will still contain minerals and other dissolved substances, meaning you might still have the white dust issue.
