How To Cut Baby`s Nails

How to Trim Baby's Nails

Trying to figure out the easiest way to trim your baby’s nails? Many moms worry about how to cut baby’s nails. It is difficult to trim the nails of a squirmy little guy or gal. Your baby’s nails grow really fast and if left untrimmed, she may scratch her adorable little face (or yours) and you don’t want that to happen. So what’s a mom to do? If you have never trimmed a baby’s nails, you may think its no big deal, and it isn’t, but it does take practice. Minor fingernail-trimming mishaps do happen with lots of moms but it’s okay. Don’t worry, trimming takes practice and even the best of moms have given baby a nail trimming “booboo” before. Here are some mommy tips for trimming your baby’s nails.

Nail Trimming Do’s and Don’ts

• Do use baby nail clippers, baby nail trimming scissors, or an emery board.
• Do push down on the pad of her finger. Make sure that none of her skin is showing when you cut the nail. You only want to cut the nail.
• Do cut along the shape of the nail. Round any rough edges with an emery board.
• Do cut toenails straight. Even though ingrown toenails are not likely with a baby, you still want to try to cut them straight across.
• Do not worry if you have an “oopsie”. It happens. If you accidentally cut baby’s finger apply pressure to stop the bleeding. You can use a clean cloth or bandage and apply a little antibiotic ointment after the bleeding stops.
• Do not use regular adult nail clippers. They are very sharp and may cut the tip of baby’s fingers.

Mommy Tips for Trimming Baby's Nails

Trim baby’s nails after she has a bath.

Her nails will be softer and easier to trim.

Get someone to help.

Have daddy or an older sibling help occupy baby while you work on trimming her nails. Distract baby with a toy or something she likes. Try to occupy her free hand with something.

Trim baby’s nails while she is sleeping.

Some moms find it easier to cut baby’s nails while she is asleep. It doesn’t always work but if you wait until baby is down for the count sometimes you can get them trimmed without waking her.

Don’t trim just file.

You may find this a lot safer and less scary. If you file baby’s nails with an emery board you may not need to trim. You can simply file them down until they are not rough or jagged.

Some mommies bite baby’s nails instead of trimming.

You may find this easier than trimming with clippers. (There are mixed opinions on this. If you ask your mommy friends they may suggest this. Your pediatrician may not be crazy about this method.Any time you put baby’s fingers into your mouth you are introducing germs, which could lead to infection.)

Trimming Baby`s nails

Although trimming your little one's nails can be a bit unnerving, especially at first, keeping nails short is important to your baby's safety. Because they lack muscle control, infants can easily scratch and cut their own delicate skin while happily waving their hands and feet. It's also important to keep babies' nails trimmed once they start interacting and playing with other kids who could be scratched, especially in childcare settings.

Some parents find it easier to accomplish the nail-trimming task with a partner: one person holding the baby to keep the little one from squirming and the other trimming the nails. First, find a good position that allows you easy access to your baby's hands. This may mean placing your baby in your lap, sitting with him or her in a rocker, or even waiting until your baby's asleep. Make sure you are in an area with good lighting so that you can see what you're doing.

Hold your baby's palm and finger steady with one hand and cut with the other. You should cut your baby's nails with baby nail scissors, which have rounded tips for safety, or baby clippers. Many baby nail-care kits also come with nail files or emery boards, but if you cut your baby's nails short enough and make sure to keep the nail edges rounded instead of jagged, it isn't necessary to use these. However, if you're hesitant to try baby nail scissors or clippers and your baby will sit long enough to cooperate, you can use an emery board to file the nails down without the risk of giving your little one any nicks.

If you accidentally draw blood (a common occurrence with fussy, fidgeting babies), don't worry. Using a sterile gauze pad, gently apply pressure to stop the bleeding. But don't put a bandage around the tiny cut — babies will inevitably put their fingers in their mouths and can dislodge the bandage and choke on it.

Because babies' nails tend to grow quickly from infancy to toddlerhood, they may need to be trimmed as often as once or twice a week. Some newborns need their nails to be trimmed even more often than that during the first few weeks of life.

For more How to trim your baby's nails

How to trim your baby's nails

Should I trim my baby's nails?

Newborn babies tend to have long, fast-growing nails, and you may worry that your baby will scratch his face with them. 

However, resist trimming your baby's nails before he is a month old. It's hard to tell which bit of the nail growth is still attached to the quick, and the tip will bleed if you trim too low. The nail may then become infected. Instead, use special mittens, put socks on his hands, or keep him wrapped up so his hands aren't near his face. 

When his nails have hardened a little, once he is about eight weeks, you can trim them, though do this carefully. If you accidentally nick the skin, try not to worry. Gently hold a piece of clean, damp cotton wool to the site and apply a little pressure. The bleeding will soon stop. 

Little fingernails grow so quickly that you may have to cut them or pinch them off more than once a week. His toenails will grow more slowly and require less frequent attention.

How do I trim my baby's nails without nicking his fingers?

The easiest way to trim your baby's nails may be to just peel the ends off with your fingers. They're so soft that the surplus will come away easily. 

Otherwise, you could buy a pair of baby scissors or nail clippers with specially rounded ends. Cutting his nails may be easier if there are two adults involved. One could gently hold him and keep him from wriggling too much while the other trims his nails. 

You may also want to try cutting your baby's nails while he is feeding or sleeping, so he'll be calmer. Press the finger pad away from the nail to avoid nicking his skin, and keep a firm hold on his hand as you cut or clip. Cut the nail around the curve of the finger, and his toenails straight across. However don't cut down the side of his nail, as this may cause ingrown nails and infections. 

You can also use an emery board to gently file your baby's nails. If they're not too long, this may mean you won't need to cut them. An emery board can neaten off any jagged edges after cutting, too.