What our pedi/hospital says about baby mittens and pjs with mittens...

FutureMrsCaesar · December 2010

I've been reading a lot of posts asking about baby mittens and the pjs with the foldover mittens and I just wanted to share what our pediatrician and hospital said about them: Basically not to use them (and even go as far as to recommend not swaddling their arms in too). Use a nail file to keep their nails and blunt as possible and let them have free reign with their little hands and fingers. Reason being, in your belly they are used to being able to move their arms, touch their face, suck on their fingers, etc...and it's comforting for them to be able to do those things outside the womb too. I had never thought about that before being told in the hospital with DS so I thought I'd share. There were certainly times that I did use the foldover covers on his pjs but I tried to leave his hands uncovered as much as possible.

Princesseliss528 · December 2010

We were told the same thing. The other reason the nurse gave us for not using them is because it "may hinder motor skills" as they grow. They need to use their hands to feel things, and when you use the mittens, you're creating a buffer. I don't know how I feel about mittens, so I can't say that I will or will not use them, but I have some just in case.

ashgirlxo · December 2010

hmm... well that makes a lot of sense I suppose! I'd be a little P.O'd if I could do anything with my hands then someone tried stopping me

monkeyqueen · December 2010

I totally agree!!!

Besides, those little mittens are a PITA to wash, sort, keep on baby, etc. They are totally useless and unnecessary. Other than being outside and needing them for warmth, they are not a 'must have.'

Oh, and just a tip for when trimming their nails: hold the hand firmly and gently 'pull back' the tip/pad of the finger.... it helps to be sure that baby's skin doesn't accidently get trimmed as well. It can be intimidating at first (trimming nails), but it's really not that bad!

SarahTx5701 · December 2010

the mittens are a PITA. But the swaddle was a lifesaver, it was the only was ds slept!

strimble26 · December 2010

I totally agree. Plus most babies houdini their way out of those mittens or swaddles anyways. I could never keep DDs hands or arms confined and am glad I didn't push it.

FutureMrsCaesar · December 2010

strimble26:
I totally agree. Plus most babies houdini their way out of those mittens or swaddles anyways. I could never keep DDs hands or arms confined and am glad I didn't push it.

OMG look at Charleighs hair, it's gotten so long since I last saw a picture! She is so beautiful!!

radak · December 2010

My pedi said the opposite about swaddling. She said that the baby is used to the tight cramped space that the womb became, and find the tightness of a swaddle soothing. So, she said, if you don't swaddle the new freedom the baby has to move about is unsettling and scary to it. She said when the baby moves without the restraint the baby had in the womb it can be startling and the baby can feel too free (kind of like a falling feeling).

It is so confusing to hear two different opinions about these kind of things. You don't want your baby feeling insecure and scared, but you also don't want to hinder growth. It is so confusing.

andrea922 · December 2010

I disagree about the swaddling. Some babies, mine included, have such a strong startle reflex that he would jump in his sleep and it would wake him up. Once we started swaddling he completely relaxed and slept much better. It never hindered his motor skills. Also I don't know how a pedi or hospital could say babies have tons of room to stretch out and move around inside your belly, they are totally cramped in there at the end.

FutureMrsCaesar · December 2010

Agreed, no one thing works for all babies. I definitely remember trying swaddling both ways early on with DS. He got into thumb-sucking pretty early on so after that arm swaddling went out the window!

strimble26 · December 2010

FutureMrsCaesar:
strimble26:
I totally agree. Plus most babies houdini their way out of those mittens or swaddles anyways. I could never keep DDs hands or arms confined and am glad I didn't push it.

OMG look at Charleighs hair, it's gotten so long since I last saw a picture! She is so beautiful!!

Thanks! She finally has some hair after 2 years!! And Matthew is as cute as can be. Can't believe our kiddos are so big now!! I think the swaddling thing truly depends on the child, DD must have been all over the place in utero and wanted nothing to do with swaddles but like some posters said, their babies responded well to it. But the mittens are def a huge waste of time.

williaw · December 2010

My hospital doesn't allow them because they are a "choking hazard."

Symharmony · December 2010

I hate those mittens, and I've never used them. I would wrap them in a blanket, but I always kept their arms free. They always seemed to squirm their way out of the swaddle for me.

columbiamommy · December 2010

I've heard this, too. I never used the mitten with DD, but I did use the hand covers on sleepers and gowns at night only because her hands would get cold. I did swaddle her only for nighttime sleep, too. It makes sense, though. I think babies need their hands free most of the time for development.

Lucky_Dragonfly · December 2010

never used them. DS pulled off the mittens, and hated being swaddled like no tomorrow. File them when they are sleeping otherwise its a PITA to do.

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