Got you. But I’m going to push back on one thing first: that sentence is true, but it’s also too generic to be useful for picking, selling, or making booties & mittens. The “why” (warmth + protection) is only half the story. The real value is in fit, safety, materials, construction, and care—that’s where problems happen (falling off, skin irritation, overheating, choking risk, loose threads, etc.).
Here’s more information, organized so you can actually use it:
1) What booties & mittens are (and what they’re not)
Booties (infant)
Soft “shoes” for babies who aren’t walking yet
Main jobs:
- Warmth (especially in cool rooms / air-conditioned places)
- Protection (from rough fabric, stroller straps, light bumps)
- Keeping socks on (socks slip off newborns a lot)
=> Important Notes: If your baby is always indoors and warm, thick booties can be pointless—or even make baby sweaty.
Mittens (infant)
Soft hand covers
Main jobs:
- Prevent scratching (newborn nails are sharp even when “trimmed”)
- Warmth (hands lose heat fast)
- Barrier (against cold air, rough surfaces)
=> Important Notes: Mittens can also reduce finger movement, which babies use to explore. That’s why some parents use them only for sleep or early newborn weeks.
