The reality, however, 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. Plus, good early nail trimming can avoid scratches—avoiding the need for mittens altogether.
It's recommended to only use mittens until Baby is up to 2 weeks old. Mittens are indeed a helpful item that can prevent scratching and regulate your little one's temperature during sleep. However, as they grow up, Baby becomes more inquisitive and curious.
Babies do not need to wear mittens all of the time. In fact, it's usually recommended that babies not wear mittens all day. It's important for them to have the opportunity to move their hands and fingers and develop their fine motor skills. However, mittens can be useful for some specific situations.
When it comes to keeping your baby safe, there are a few things you should keep in mind. One of these is that mittens and gloves can actually hinder the development of your little one's hands and fingers. They can prevent them from getting the stimulation they need to learn how to move and grasp properly.
It's about comfort. If you can cover them without the risk of overheating, you can do it. If you don't, that's also fine – in most cases, cold hands are a normal phase of your baby's development.
The reality, however, 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. Plus, good early nail trimming can avoid scratches—avoiding the need for mittens altogether.
The Cons of Keeping a Baby's Hands Covered
Babies who are kept covered may not learn how to self-soothe and may become over-sensitive to noise and touch. If a baby is allowed to keep their hands uncovered, they may start to develop motor skills at a slower pace than if they were kept covered.
When Do Babies Stop Wearing Mittens. Some experts recommend that babies should only wear mittens in the first 2 weeks of their life. Most pediatrician agrees that babies should stop wearing mittens when you can start trimming their nails (around 1-2 months of age).
How long should newborns wear mittens? There is no hard and fast rule for how long newborns should wear mittens. But, most experts recommend that mittens be used for the first month after birth. After that, babies typically start to develop more control over their hands.
Most pediatricians generally recommend that babies stop wearing mittens by around 18 to 24 months old, as they may become too tight and cause discomfort. If your baby is still wearing mittens at this age, it is important to keep an eye on their comfort.
The National Sleep Foundation's recommendation for what an infant should wear to sleep includes protective mittens. "Newborns' fingernails can be sharp and scratch their faces during sleep, so soft mittens can remove that danger," the foundation's website noted.
Ears, hands and feet are most at risk for frostbite, she says, so make sure they're well covered. Most snowsuits fold over babies' hands, but if yours doesn't, you'll need to put mittens on.
Cozy hats and snowsuits are essential, but a great pair of baby mittens should also be high up on your winter checklist. Babies struggle to regulate their body temperature, and they lose a lot of warmth when their hands and feet are exposed to air.
Babies that are too cold will not exert the energy it takes to cry, and may be uninterested in feeding. Their energy is being consumed by trying to stay warm. A baby that is dangerously chilled will have cold hands and feet and even baby's chest will be cold under his or her clothes.
Hands & feet. If your baby's hands or feet feel cold, that is not necessarily a cause for alarm! Especially when baby's are brand new, their blood circulates in more “important” parts of the body that need development such as the brains and lungs.
The best way to check if your little one is the correct temperature is to put your hand on the child's chest. Does their chest feel comfortable and warm? It should not be hot or cool to your touch. Touching your baby's hands and feet is not a good way to determine if your child is warm enough.
Infants also tend to move their hands toward their face in jittery movements as they develop motor skills. These unintentional movements, especially when made close to the face, can easily lead to nicks and cuts. By putting mittens on while your baby takes in sights and sounds, they'll avoid unnecessary ouches.
1 pair of mittens. 1 coat or bunting sack. 2 slippers or booties. 2 additional pairs of socks.
Baby Mittens and Sleep
Baby mittens are not recommended for sleeping since they can be a suffocation hazard. It's very easy for them to slip off unknowingly, and an infant has no control over their hands or arms while they're asleep.
Your baby's hands do not need to be covered at night. As long as their core body temperature is fine, cold hands shouldn't bother them. If you think the cold extremities are affecting your baby and feel that covering their hands will make them more comfortable or reduce night wakings, that's ok.
Leave the arms free or the hands by the face: Some babies prefer to have their arms free, while others find it calming to have their hands near their faces. Make sure baby is not too warm: Swaddling should be done to help your infant feel secure, not to keep them warm.
Don't lift your newborn by or under their arms
Your baby's head and neck muscles are very weak for the first few months. If you pick them up by or under their arms, you risk injuring their arms or shoulders.
Keeping your baby at a temperature, which is neither too hot nor too cold, helps him or her hold onto that energy and build up reserves. This is even more important if your baby is sick or premature.
In general, the hands and the feet are a poor way to tell if your baby is too cold. This is because they are often exposed and thus will naturally carry a lower temperature. If the hands and feet are cold, this doesn't mean that your baby is too cold! A better way to measure is to feel your baby's torso.
The temperature can make your baby cry. They may cry because they are too hot or too cold. If your baby is fussy because of the temperature, there are signs that you can look for. Signs of the baby being too hot are sweating, damp hair, heat rash, or clammy skin.