Nursery ceiling fans can benefit young infants and reduce the risk of SIDS by 72%. However, you must be careful with the (leave on a hanger to increase CTR)
Caring for a newborn can be scary and overwhelming; it will have us overthinking even the most minimal things. For example, we are constantly searching for the safest and most convenient way to help them rest. While ceiling fans create comfortable sleeping environments for adults, many parents wonder whether a ceiling fan in the baby’s room is appropriate. Some are concerned that sleeping with the fan on can dry out the air and others believe that it can cause a cold in babies. In this article, we will be disproving all of the myths so you can create the proper sleep environment for your newborn and enjoy peace of mind. Stick around to learn the benefits of a nursery ceiling fan, the pros and cons of sleeping with a fan on, and the best fan for your baby’s room.
Benefits for Infants
Studies have shown that just like adults, young infants benefit from cool and ventilated sleeping environments. In some cases, the air circulation from ceiling fans can even save your baby’s life!
#1 – Lower the Risk of SIDS
SIDS stands for sudden infant death syndrome and refers to the unexpected death of young infants, under the age of 1, during their sleep. While doctors have yet to find a cause or cure for this silent and devastating condition, many doctors believe it is linked to a build-up of carbon dioxide in the blood that happens when infants “rebreathe” their own exhaled carbon dioxide. A study published by the Northern California Kaiser Permanente Division of Research shows that properly ventilated rooms can help decrease the risk of SIDS by 72%. The study notes that the increased room ventilation created while having a fan on can help diffuse carbon dioxide around an infant’s mouth and nose and prevent “rebreathing.” Installing a ceiling fan in your baby’s room is a perfect way to make sure the space is ventilated enough for safe sleep.
#2 – Reduce the Risk of Infant Eczema
You may be thinking if more air is better, why can’t I just leave my AC on? Unlike nursery ceiling fans, ACs can alter the humidity in your child’s nursery and have adverse effects on skin conditions. For example, if your baby is prone to Infant Eczema, constant AC use can push the humidity down to levels that will trigger an Eczema rash or reaction. Unless humidity levels are restored, treating your baby’s Eczema outbreak can prove difficult for the parent and uncomfortable for the baby. A ceiling fan cannot alter the air in the room, but it can deliver a cooling breeze for a comfortable temperature, proper air distribution, and a secure sleeping environment.
#3 – Help Falling Asleep
Do you have to spend hours rocking your baby back and forth to get them to fall asleep? This can be exhausting for new parents, especially after late-night feedings. Good news! A study on the effects of white noise concluded that 80% of the babies observed were able to fall asleep after just 5 minutes of white noise. The white noise created by whisper-quiet ceiling fans can help soothe young infants quickly, so you can both get back to sleep sooner! After all, a well-rested baby means well-rested parents.
Things to Consider
While sleeping with a fan on can be safe and beneficial to your baby, there are other precautions you must take to ensure that it will not pose any additional risks.
#1 – Professional Installation
Especially in the nursery room, you’ll want to make sure that your ceiling fan is professionally installed. The last thing you want is to have a heavy and unstable piece of equipment hanging above your baby. A professional installer will ensure that the electric wiring is configured correctly and that the mounting bracket is securely connected to the ceiling for a safe installation and performance. Having your nursery ceiling fan professionally installed can cost anywhere from $150 to $360, but it is a small price to pay for the safety of your newborn.
#2 – Monthly Cleaning
Because ceiling fans circulate air using blades, they will also circulate whatever is caught on those blades. This is why you must clean your fan at least once a month. Failure to clean your nursery ceiling fan regularly will result in the accumulation of dust and allergens on the fan blades. When you turn the fan on, these will be dispersed throughout the room. This harmful debris could be accidentally inhaled by your baby and cause harmful reactions. It is also recommended that you use organic cleaning solutions to wipe down the fan in the nursery room. You do not want to use anything made of harsh chemicals because it can be harmful to the baby if inhaled.
#3 – Keep it Clutter-Free
The American Academy of Pediatrics issues recommendations to create safe infant sleeping environments. One of these recommendations is to keep your infant's sleeping space clear of any items that can obstruct their breathing. For this reason, you should NEVER HANG anything from your ceiling fan in the nursery. There is no way of ensuring that it will not fall into your infant’s crib or sleeping cot and create an unsafe sleeping environment. Make sure that any decorative accessories are away from your infant's sleeping area to ensure that your baby can rest in the safest environment possible.
Smafan Ceiling Fans for the Nursery
At Smafan, we have quiet ceiling fans that deliver powerful cooling and lighting to create a comfortable and safe environment for your little ones. Our smart ceiling fans allow you to adjust the airspeed, reverse the airflow direction, switch the light tone, and dim the lighting until you find the configuration that works best for your baby. The dimmable lighting is perfect for late-night feedings when you don’t want the light at full brightness, but still need some light to be able to reach the baby’s bottle. Additionally, you can select from flush-mount fans for low-profile nursery spaces or downrod-mounted fans for nurseries with sloped ceilings. Our modern fans come in varying sizes and designs to fit perfectly into any nursery size or style.
Smafan’s smart ceiling fans are also equipped with the latest features to add convenience to a parent’s busy life. Compatible with smart technology, you can connect your nursery ceiling fan to your smartphone or existing smart home devices (like Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri Shortcuts) to control it remotely without waking the baby! Our smart ceiling fans are also equipped with innovative smart features such as “Nature Mode” to mimic a soothing natural breeze. The best part of all is that you don’t have to remember to switch the fan on! Simply use the schedule function to have your fan switch on automatically during your baby’s nap time.
We always want the best for our little ones, especially when it comes to their safety and well-being. With Smafan, you can rest assured you will be purchasing a safe and high-quality smart ceiling fan backed by friendly customer service, hassle-free returns, and a replacement parts warranty. For a well-rested baby and happier parents, shop Smafan.com.
