It’s probably safe to assume that everyone believes baby safety is an important issue. I’m sure we’ve all heard stories about baby-proofing the house before a new baby arrives. But when it comes to keeping a newborn baby safe, baby mittens may not be the first piece of equipment that springs to mind. However, mittends do play a crucial role in newborn safety. In fact, they often can play a double role.
Obviously, for babies that are born in the winter months or live in cold weather climates, mittens play a vital role in keeping their hands safe and warm. But keeping tiny hands warm and toasty isn’t the only thing baby mittens are good for. Many parents use mittens to keep their newborns from accidentally scratching themselves. At such a young age, babies have yet to develop control over their muscle movements. Because of this, babies often scratch themselves unintentionally with their fingernails, inflicting painful scratches. Baby mittens are the solution to this problem by acting as a soft barrier between the baby’s sharp little nails and their tender young skin.
Baby skin is very delicate so mittens intended to prevent scratching need to be designed and manufactured with that in mind. They need to be soft and light enough to keep the baby comfortable and happy, yet tough enough to act as a shield between the baby’s face and its flailing fingernails. Mitten manufacturers use materials that ensure the baby’s comfort and safety, like extremely soft cotton. And because babies can be quite messy, the mittens are often machine-washable which is convenient for the parents.
Mittens are also designed to be difficult for the baby to remove them. They are often designed with an elastic cuff to keep the baby from accidentally or intentionally, removing the mittens and freeing up those fingernails for scratching.
When it comes to sizing, these mittens are often sized as one size fits all or for an age range like 0 to 6 months. We all know that babies come in different shapes and sizes, and so do baby hands. If purchasing at the store, it can be helpful to bring along the baby to help ensure proper sizing. If you are thinking about purchasing online, it can be helpful to read other consumer reviews, because they will often state whether the sizing provided by the manufacturer is accurate. If the size is too small, the mitten may not fit properly or the elastic cuff may be too tight on the baby’s tender wrist. If sized too large, the elastic may be loose, allowing the baby to easily remove the mittens. Another result of the mittens being too loose is that they may fall or be taken off unexpectedly and consequently lost. However, it’s important to remember that a loose mitten will eventually fit someday as your baby grows into them, whereas a too-tight mitten is basically worthless. When choosing a mitten size, it may be wiser to err on the larger side.
Mittens come in a variety of colors, designs and styles. Some are designed to look like animals and others have colorful prints of cartoon characters. Some mittens are even designed to only cover the fingers, allowing the baby access to the thumb for sucking. No matter what your taste, you can probably find a mitten that you and your baby will love.
Although some mittens are designed to be used for both scratch-proofing and winter use, many times you will have to employ two different sets of mittens. There are a few ways in which winter mittens differ than scratching mittens. Because their primary purpose is to keep the baby’s hands warm and dry, they are often manufactured from different materials. Manufacturers will often use a heavier, warmer material like wool or fleece. Sometimes they are even made of waterproof material.
Sizing is still an important issue and one to be considered carefully by the parents. Winter mittens may still use elastic cuffs to stay in place, but many also include Velcro strips for extra securing. A baby that removes a scratching mitten may scratch themselves, but a baby that removes a winter mitten, may expose themselves to frostbite or worse. It is crucial that winter mittens are not easily removed by the baby and Velcro is a good choice to prevent that. Some mittens also come with straps that clip to the baby’s coat, ensuring that they will not be easily lost.
As is the case with scratching mittens, winter mittens come in a wide variety of colors and designs. You should have no trouble locating a selection of mittens; the trouble will come when it is time to narrow down the selection.
Both kinds of mittens are widely available at major retailers both online and off. Stores like Target, Walmart and Amazon all offer a large variety of different styles and colors to choose from. Another option, if you are particularly crafty, is to make your own. Knitting is a very popular hobby and there are numerous baby mitten patterns available to help you on your way.
Handmade baby mittens or store-bought mittens make a great baby shower gift. New parents will surely appreciate them as they may not have even realized they needed them. You know who else will appreciate their new mittens? The baby! They will surely appreciate your thoughtfulness as they enjoy a scratch-free existence and/or warm, toasty hands in the chill of winter.