i remove mittens and booties when my gal was 6 weeks old. initally she will scratch herself but now itz better liao...she is now 7+ weeks. she oso tends to put her fist in her mouth but dat is a sign dat she is hungry (learnt dat in antenatal class) so when i see it, i will pull her hand away and tell her a firm NO and then i will feed her with milk after dat. seems to work cos after she haf her milk, her hands will not be near her mouth lor. my in-laws oso told me y so soon remove her mittens and booties and she may scratch herself but i tell them firmly dat i cut her nails short liao and she can exercise her fingers and toes and it is better for their development and after dat, they didnt say anything liao lor.