Did I do the wrong thing keeping newborn’s hands covered ?

It’s because it’s stops developmental things like baby sucking on hands which is quite important, although of course it won’t do any harm to use the inbuilt mitts at times and lots will use them overnight. You wouldn’t keep your baby swaddled all the time, that’s just for night time, as it’d be bad for baby to be swaddled at all times.

Your MIL and SIL are just arseholes. Lots of babies are in scratch mittens, they don't do any harm.

Cut down on the amount of time you see your MIL and SIL. They are just trying to upset you.

Two can play that game. Maybe you can communicate with MIL and SIL entirely through the baby from now on?

'Oh, silly grandma. What a strange thing for grandma to comment on, not being able to see your hands, whatever will she complain about next?!'

YANBU.

You don’t need to use them and I did at first until I read an article about why not to, but if your baby had a particularly sharp nail and that’s why I wouldn’t worry. Just don’t use them now 🤷🏼‍♀️
Babies are used to feeling their hands in the womb and also for feeling boobs when Bf :)

I’m old enough to remember when scratch mittens were a thing.

YANBU. And I agree it’s terrifying to cut your tiny baby’s fingernails.

Ignore them or say “you’re not still banging on about that are you?”

I'm older, we used to nibble baby nails off. Also intrigued by integrated mitts on baby grows, never seen them! These must also be something new.

I think dms and mils think they know best and even if their advice is outdated and against mw advice they use the evidence they raised a family already and they turned out fine as proof of how right they are.

Your DH needs to nip this nasty behaviour in the bud. It’s not about mittens, it’s about control.

BTW my elder DC had nails like razors. She wore mitts.
She is now a veterinary surgeon and is also a talented artist so it didn’t affect her fine motor skills!

Whether you were right or not it’s hardly helpful for them to keep raising it now.

Stand for up for yourself now or it will get worse.

Be polite, say it with a smile and you can get away with most things!

These worked for me:

*Grandma’s needs aren’t more important than the baby’s safety.

*Talking negatively about me to the baby is unkind and a bad habit to get into, she’ll soon be able to understand you.

*Do you realise you are undermining me?

Final advice, every time they are rude about you while holding the baby, calmly take the baby back and leave the room. Don’t stomp off crying, just smile, say “excuse us a minute” and leave.

Bad behaviour has consequences for grandparents as well as small children, they’ll get the message eventually. 😆

This YOUR baby and your in -laws are thick! Don't let them dictate to you . Enjoy your little one. x

I don't like the sound of this. It sounds like bullying with the two of them. You are a new mother and it's hard enough without them being like this. Of course you did nothing wrong. Your baby is safe and thriving. You are doing a good job.

Your DH needs to tell them to stop this. If you want advice you'll ask for it. And to make it clear to them the baby is yours and his so they can rein it in.

I think some people just find baby hands cute, and like to have a look at them. I seem to remember people unwrapping my baby's hands when they were very little and had scratch mittens on. I let them have a look, then wrapped them back up. Your MIL and SIL are in the wrong to make you feel somehow bad or guilty about it though. Congratulations on your baby OP x

Back "in the day" (admittedly quite a long time ago!), it was ok to bite a small baby's nails, they are so soft anyway and this seems better than faffing about trying to cut them - is this still "allowed"?

Och what a couple of bores they sound OP - retailers sell scratch mitts and baby gros with hands for a reason. If MIL had something to say she should have said it once then let it be. Start training your ignoring muscle 😂

My ds is 40 now.When I took him to see my friend's dm ( he was a few weeks old) she pulled his dummy out and said he doesn't need that.
I wasn't upset as it was just an hours visit but I've never forgotten.
The dummy had been recommended by the MW as ds was using my boobs to soothe and I was getting v. sore.

At my hospital they were really against scratch mitts, I don't know why but they advised us very strongly not to use them so we didn't (not in the UK). Maybe your MIL has read or heard something and is trying to help with a very ham-fisted and passive aggressive approach.

You did the right thing. You're her mum don't ever doubt your instincts and your decisions for your own child! Next time they say it just say "yes, lovely to see her hands but more important that she didn't scratch her fragile skin at the time with her sharp little nails, no damage done".

This is a DH problem. He needs to supervise and nip these passive aggressive comments in the bud now if he’s expecting you to be in the same room as your MIL.

Op, that’s literally what the mitts are for, you are NOT being unreasonable. My DS is 18 now, but I can still remember the utter terror at having to cut his tiny nails for the first time (in the end I chewed them off as advised by my DM 🤣)

Your MIL just sounds like “one of those” Mother in laws, creating power plays because she feels on the back foot with your DC simply because it wasn’t her own daughter that birthed your child.
You’ll find your voice with her op, you’re a new mum right now and you’ll probably be paranoid about many other things, but don’t let her be the reason you question yourself.
This is your baby, and only you know what’s best

Not a big deal in the slightest, they’re the weird ones.

Having parents that care about their children’s welfare and do their best to keep them safe and looked after is the most important thing. You’re clearly one of those ❤

Nope, my newborns hands were covered due to scratching, I just made sure to clean them or they were stinky mitts, and then we moved to a colder country when he was 6 weeks so he had them covered for warmth. He is perfectly dextrous and capable now at 17 months;)

You didn't do anything wrong. If your MIL had a genuine concern about your baby's hands being covered she could have gently mentioned it to you in an adult way. I think she was just looking for something to get at you for.

Trust your instincts, your baby, your way 💐

You are absolutely fine OP. I agree they’d have found something else to have a dig at you about! Sadly having kids means you often have to grow a thick skin, as a lot of people will feel entitled to views on things which are none of their business.

You married into a really weird family.