How can I get my 3-month-old baby girl to stop scratching her face? I trim her fingernails often, and my husband and I both sometimes have to literally hold her hands away from her face because she likes to claw at her eyes! She left a bloody scratch on her eyelid just a little while ago...are we going to have to start putting mittens on her hands? I really don't want to do that, because I think it's kind of mean (sort of like a straight jacket for her hands, in my opinion...she won't be able to do anything!), but is that our only option? If you guys have any suggestions, that'd be great. Thx!
2006-09-18 04:21:08 · 21 answers · asked by peachy78 5 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Most babies do this. It is a neuro-reflex that will go away with time as she develops better motor skills.
The best thing to do is protect her face and eyes with either the little booties, socks, and really taking good care of her nails.
Another thing to do is have her hold things, soft toys, teething rings, etc that she could practice her grasping and divert her attention from her face.
Alll my best~
2006-09-18 04:33:37 · answer #1 · answered by ajbabies3 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Check her nails every day, when they are that little the nails grow so fast. Mittens are the logical answer, but I agree that it isn't fair to the baby. They need to learn to explore with their fingers. The scratches are just something you might have to put up with, as the baby gets older she will stop scratching at her face. Just make sure to keep the scratches clean and ask your doctor if you should be putting anything on them to prevent infection. Good luck.
2006-09-18 04:24:39 · answer #2 · answered by S. O. 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My son did that too. I had to use the little mittens & he didn't seem to mind. He stopped scratching soon after 3 months & he was able to start grabbing at other things. I was just so scared that he was going to scratch his eye out. So I used the mittens.
2006-09-18 04:26:14 · answer #3 · answered by luvbug62904 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Our baby does the same thing, and we try to keep her fingernails as short as possible... we don't actually trim them, but we use an emery board on them instead, which gets them much shorter without the risk of clipping her tiny fingers, and also leaves the nail itself smoother, so it is harder for her to scratch herself.
The mittens do work, but I feel the same way about them. Our baby was mostly scratching herself at night, so we have started putting footies pajamas on her with long sleeves, and kind of stretching the sleeves so that they stay over her hands a bit.
Good luck with her!!!
2006-09-18 04:25:14 · answer #4 · answered by ♥♥♥ Mommy to Two ♥♥♥ 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They make tops with cuffs that fold over the hands just for this problem. They are long sleeved cotton. If you live in a warm climate it may not be practical. Most stores that carry infants clothing should have these in top and gown styles.
Does your baby use a pacifier? She may be trying to suck her thumb and in the process scratching at her face.
I have four children and never had a problem with scratching, probably because they used a pacifier during the first few months.
2006-09-18 04:30:26 · answer #5 · answered by JAN 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mittens or sock is all you can do.
Actually it more mean to let her keep scratching herself. I'm sure it hurts especially if it so bad it draws blood. She doesn't have full control of her arms or hands yet. So she doesn't know she is doing it or causing herself the pain.
I'm sorry but I can't believe you would think it is mean to put mittens on but holding her arms is Ok or letting her cause injury to herself. She really can't "do anything" now with her hands anyways.
2006-09-18 04:28:00 · answer #6 · answered by sceptileptic 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
MITTENS
3 month old babies dont have real good control over where hands are going or what is going on yet...
You Have to keep them safe. You can buy lighweight cotton mitts just about anyhwere they sell baby items.. Target, Kmart and so on..
THey are not expensive and not uncomfortable and will keep your child safe.
She will not have to wear them forever... its ok really
This is your first child ,..isnt it
You know so many things and decisions will seem so scarey and so odd to you if it is,..but trust me it will get easier and you will be a pro in no time passing out your own advice!
Go get a few pairs of mitts so you have enough to wash some and still have a pair on her and then maybe in a month or so trry taking t hem off and see how she does....
Good Luck
Wismom
2006-09-18 04:34:42 · answer #7 · answered by Wismom 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would vote the mittens over her accidently blinding herself or scratching something very important in her eyes.
She won't remember ever wearing the mittens, so don't feel like your putting her in a straight jacket.
Good luck with your decision.
2006-09-18 05:51:39 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to file her nails down after you cut them,, aparently there are still sharp nails on her little fingers,
mittens are a good optional choice,, although i prefer not to use them either.... but would you rather her scratch her eye ball and something serious happen,,
i think with the nail filing,, you could get all the sharp parts smooth out,,,
2006-09-18 04:25:21 · answer #9 · answered by WENDY D 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My daughter scratched her face too, and I had to use the mittens. I also clipped her nails as low as I could. Nothing wrong with that to keep her safe.
2006-09-18 04:23:28 · answer #10 · answered by GreenEyedSista 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋