How Long Should Baby Wear Mittens, and Other Reminders About Your Baby's Nails

New parents, here’s the answer to the question, “How long should my baby wear mittens?” and other important information you need to know about your baby’s nails.

As a mum, one of the things you might have bought and prepared before the baby arrived is her own set of baby mittens. With varying colours and designs, it was truly a delight and added fashion for your newborn. 

But did you know that some doctors actually don’t recommend the wearing of mittens anymore? 

Why Do Babies Wear Mittens?

Mittens used to be one of the must-haves for newborn babies. This is what we grew up believing. First, because we think they protect our baby’s hand from the cold, and second, to cover their long nails that can injure their face or pierce their eyes.

But according to paediatricians, the use of mittens is only recommended after the baby is born because these protect them from temperature changes. Because they were used to the warmth while inside their mother’s womb, it may take a couple of days for them to acclimatise to the cold and unique temperatures of the real world that they are in.

But as soon as the baby arrives home, newborn experts believe that it’s already safe to remove the mittens since your newborn’s body has already adjusted to the new temperature around him.

The baby only has to be kept thermoregulated during the first 24 hours after birth in the nursery, so we put on a bonnet, mittens and socks for him to wear. However, by the time your baby comes home and has passed all of the newborn tests at the hospital, he has already adjusted.

Do Baby Mittens Hinder Development?

As mentioned earlier, parents had the idea that mittens are a must-have for the baby. But the truth is that when it is used for a prolonged period of time, it can actually be an obstacle to his development.

That is why paediatricians suggest that you cut your baby’s nails regularly and remove his mittens. Keeping his hands free from the mittens will prompt motor and sensory development. 

Touch therapy is very important to infants. Since they cannot see clearly yet, it’s just light that helps them dig into what’s around them. So it is a big help if they can explore your hand (the feel of your skin against theirs) for emotional and mental development. 

Dr Natasha Burgert, a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) explained that after the first 24 hours, babies don’t really need mittens anymore. Because while we may think they are uncomfortable with the cold, our babies are actually unbothered by it.

“The reality is that mittens are rarely needed for newborns. Bluish and cool hands and feet are normal on healthy infants, and the cool sensation of extremities likely do not bother baby at all,” she said.

What if My Baby Scratches Her Face

If you’re worrying that your baby might scratch his face without mittens on, it would not cause a deep wound. There will be no scarring and no long-term effects on the newborn baby.

Another reminder is to watch or be careful with the mittens worn on the baby. Because if it is strapped or loose, especially if there are decorations, strings or loose thread on them, they can pose as a choking hazard for infants.

Should babies wear mittens to bed?

According to the National Sleep Foundation, soft mittens may help prevent your baby from scratching his face while asleep. Even the U.S. The National Library of Medicine recommends mittens as a good strategy to avoid your baby from scratching his face (albeit it doesn’t say whether or not to use them while your kid is sleeping.) So it appears that safety mittens are the way to go.

However, not everyone supports the use of sleep mitts for babies. Some paediatricians believe that babies require full use of their hands for development and scratching at themselves while sleeping is unlikely to cause any harm. 

How Long Should a Baby Wear Mittens?

Dr Stephanie Hemm, a paediatrician from Maryland, United States, thinks that it is better to let babies wear mittens for no longer than two weeks. After that, it is important for the baby to be able to use his bare hands to explore his environment. Not wearing any mittens will help him feel and reach out to objects easily.

” I don’t recommend using them for longer than about two weeks. It’s important for infants to use their hands to explore the world around them through their sense of touch and movement, whether it’s putting their hands into their mouths, reaching for things, or learning what objects feel like. By about 3 to 4 months old, babies really need their hands to figure out how things work,” she said.

Based on the studies, by exploring the things around them, babies can learn a lot like the textures, colour, shape, and weight of things.

This learning teaches the infant language learning opportunities. It can also help or influence their problem-solving abilities as well as motor and sensory development of their body.

Freeing the Hands From Mittens: When Can I Cut Baby’s Nails?

Mittens become obstacles to a baby’s proper sensory development which is also important for brain development. Therefore, experts recommend removing the baby’s mittens and letting them explore. But before you do this, you need to be sure that your child’s nails are clean and kept short (or at least not sharp) to prevent him from scratching his face.

At around 1 month, your baby’s nails will have started to harden a little and will have a firmer edge, making it easier for you to trim them without feeling so worried. However, you still need to be as gentle and careful as you possibly can.

If you do this, just make sure it is bright or there is enough lighting to avoid cutting their skin. The best time to do it is during the day when your baby is taking her nap. 

Take note of the following tips to make trimming baby’s nails a breeze:

1. Prepare and use the right tools. Pick up a pair of baby nail clippers or baby nail scissors that have rounded tips to avoid accidental damage to his or her skin. Many nail-care kits for infants also come with emery boards or nail files to avoid jagged nail edges. Remember not to use adult-sized clippers as this can clip the baby’s fingertips instead of the nail.

2. Using one hand, hold and support your child’s hand or foot and secure the finger or toes of the nail to be cut.

3. Carefully place the blade of the clippers or scissors under the infant’s fingernail or toenail.

4. Push down on your baby’s fingertip skin before applying pressure on the clipper or scissors to avoid accidental nicking. This will also help you get the clipper or scissors around both sides of the nail.

5. Make sure to cut just a small one. This is to lessen the possibility of cutting off too much and making the fingertips painful.

6. Similarly cut the toenails straight across to avoid having ingrown nails.

7. Gently finish off any sharp or rough edges using an emery board or a nail file to tidy up ragged edges.

If you are afraid to cut your baby’s nails, just file it. Although it takes longer, it is safer to do so. It also helps to have someone else hold the baby while cutting or filing his nails. If you are unsure how to do it, try seeking the help of an experienced parent, but you’re going to have to do it yourself anytime soon. 

How often should you trim the baby’s nails?

Grabbing those clippers may vary depending on how fast your baby’s nails grow. It will require filing or trimming at least once a week. 

It can also be a semi-weekly basis since babies’ nails grow fast, which may result in self-inflicted scratches. As for the toenails, it is recommended to undergo trimming twice a month. 

Cutting your newborn’s nails may feel like a daunting task, but you’ll soon realise that there’s nothing to worry about if you do it properly. For other concerns about your baby’s hands or proper newborn care, don’t hesitate to consult your child’s paediatrician.

This article was written by Margaux Dolores and republished with permission from theAsianparent Philippines.