Woolen Mittens

Does wearing baby mittens delay baby's hands coordination?

I was told to keep my son's hands in baby mittens at all times. Now he's 2 and 1/2 months and has not tried to reach out or grab things with his hands. He can only bat them around uncontrollably. Is this normal?

Public Comments

1. well it's probably not necessary or good to have the kid's hands in mittens 100% of the time.
2. when you go out and its cold then put them on him, but other then that he should be fine without them.....
3. who told you that? only listen to the Doctor and if it sound strange then get a second opinion from another doctor. I put the mittens on my baby's hands occasionally so he doesn't hurt himself in the first 2 weeks or so. but as long as you keep up with those little finger nail then you don't need them at all times
4. They are usually only meant to be worn for the first few weeks. I wouldn't keep them on at this time especially all the time. He doesn't have the freedom to reach for things if he wants to.
5. that's usually for the first few months so they don't scratch themselves. I would let him go without now unless he gets cold.
6. My daughter took an instant dislike to hers, so she rarely wore them, unless we were going out in the cold.
7. hi i don't think when you were told to keep mittens on it means all the time.. they are simply to help stop baby scratching himself with his nails. and at 2 and half months i should think he'll be ok without them most of the time. he will not "discover" he hands just yet - and when he does he will be totally fascinated, its just lovely to watch! .. :-) i reckon it'd be nicer for him to have his hands back, if he scratches his face then pop them on when you think he may do it again - if you're worried. relax and enjoy your son, and remember there is no such thing as normal! :-) he will develop at HIS rate... lots of luck hth emma x
8. You don't need to keep them on there only used for to keep from scratching there face
9. Who told you that? Surely they didn't mean to keep him in mittens FOREVER??!! There really is no need for him to wear mittens, even if it's cold outside and even if his hands feel cold. Babies often have cold hands and feet and that is not an indication of their body temperature. I think you should take the mittens off and let him start using his hands as nature intended him to.
10. does your child scratch himself alot? if so then yeah he should wear mittens most of the time but if not its not neccesary. hes too young to be able to grab, even without scratch mitts he would just hit things like he does but it might be a good time to let him get used to his hands. try taking his mitts off when he plays and put them on again after or if he doesnt scratch himself with his nails then theres no need for the mitts anyway
11. Hi i woulds say at nearly 3months old mittens are not necessary, my daughter only had them on for the first couple of weeks till the ragged nails were gone and her nails were not going to scratch her face, his hands need to breathe i would stop using them, my daughter was holding her rattle at 3months.