Newborns often wave their tiny hands aimlessly. Many parents worry they might scratch their delicate faces and put mittens on their hands, but this practice actually has several drawbacks.
Dr. Niu Jun, Associate Chief Physician at Tianjin Children's Hospital, believes that wearing gloves may cause multiple harms to newborns.
First, from the perspective of infant development, this practice directly restrains the child's hands, limiting finger movement and hindering tactile development.
Furthermore, gloves made from terry cloth or other cotton fabrics can shed loose threads that easily wrap around the infant's fingers, impairing local blood circulation. If not detected promptly, this can lead to neonatal finger necrosis with severe consequences. The Neonatal Surgery Department at Tianjin Children's Hospital frequently admits such cases. In most instances, parents discover the issue too late, resulting in the amputation of necrotic fingers—causing lifelong suffering for both child and parents.
To prevent newborns from scratching their faces, experts recommend: If a newborn's nails are too long, parents can carefully trim them while the baby is asleep. When cutting nails, firmly hold the infant's small hand to prevent injury from the scissors if the baby moves. Additionally, avoid cutting nails too short to prevent damage to the nail bed.
The Dangers of Gloves for Newborns