Scratch mits - are they essential?

[wondering7777]

I'm not sure whether I need to buy these or not. Are they really necessary - can't you just keep the baby's nails short? Doesn't the baby get frustrated that they can't really touch anything properly while wearing them?

No.

Scratch mits get lost and most babies don't really scratch themselves to pieces unless they've got serious excema, but then that's not the default situation.

I always think that babies have hands for a reason, which means they shouldn't be covered up to make mum feel better.
Much like dummies to be honest, but that's a different debate.

Absolutely essential. UK ones are crap. Buy them off Amazon, ones from Thailand are good with elastic cuffs and a lot cheaper. They are like little Edward Scissor hands.

I'd definitely pack sleepsuits with the fold over mitts or a pair of scratch mitts in your hospital bag as your baby will need to be properly wrapped up. Even with my summer born the midwives on the ward were very firm on him having a vest, sleepsuit, hat and mitts on at all times!

Depends on the mitt. The ones that can be tightened with buttons at the wrist are useful if your baby has big hands as the ones built into sleepsuits are useless in that case. The ones that don’t have this are useless really

Just wanted to add to this thread in case anyone reads it in future like I did.
My newborn scratched her face 10 weeks ago and the mark is still there. I wished I had kept her mittens on longer.
I obviously kept on top of her nails but it's impossible to get rid of all of the sharp edges.
I'm really struggling with this so hoping it helps someone in future xx