Humidifiers & Air Purifiers

First-time parent with a brand-new baby? Read our expert guide to the newborn essentials that get you through the first few weeks and beyond including a car seat, safe sleep space, diapers, a baby carrier and other must-haves.

For lots of parents, a humidifier for baby is a must-have, especially during cold and flu season. Moist air can help ease upper respiratory symptoms and soothe sore throats while your little one sleeps. It can also help dry, itchy skin and help create a more comforting sleeping environment all around. There are two basic types of humidifiers: cool mist and warm mist. Both are great at adding moisture to the air, but cool mist humidifiers are recommended for use around small children to prevent the risk of burns. Check out our top baby humidifer picks.

We won’t lie: it’s so hard when your little one gets sick. Whether it’s congestion, a sore throat or that dreaded barking cough that comes along with the croup, a sick, cranky baby or toddler is no fun. When it comes to babies + lots of common colds and viruses, there’s not a whole lot you can do except provide as much comfort (and snuggles) as possible. And that’s where a top-rated humidifier comes in. Some parents like to keep a cool mist humidifier going 24/7, especially if they live in a colder climate where the air gets dry as the temperatures plunge. Other parents break out the humidifier when baby is sick or congested to help ease their symptoms.

While many parents consider humidifiers an essential nursery item, there is a downside: keeping them clean. (Which is a major pain. Sorry.) For most humidifiers, the cleaning process involves taking things apart, scrubbing, soaking with white vinegar, etc. … on a weekly basis. But it’s also important, because the consistently moist climate a humidifier creates is a mecca for mold and bacteria that can then get dispersed into the air, which isn’t great for anyone, but especially not for a baby or young child. So although it may not be your favorite to-do item, it’s important to stay on top of keeping your humidifier as clean as possible while it’s in use.

There are a lot of things we buy for our babies before they arrive. Some, like diapers, are super important. Others, maybe not. If you’re hoping to take a minimalist approach or simply want to start with the basics and see what baby likes—and you too!—before you buy more, this list of baby must-haves will help take you from the hospital to home and get you through the early weeks.

You never really know what's going to help baby sleep better and longer, but some top baby registry items include a safe sleep space, blackout shades, comfy footies, and a soft swaddle. Tech gear–humidifiers, monitors and sound machines to name a few—is also helpful for creating nighttime and naptime routines. And don’t forget a bedtime story or two.