How to Clip Your Baby's Nails

Feel like you need a magnifying glass and special instruments to groom your tiny tot's fingernails? Don't fret. Here are a few ideas to help you with the big task of trimming tiny nails.

Difficulty: Moderately challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Children's Nail Clippers
• Infant Grooming Sets
• Infant Nail Files

1. Buy a good-quality infant grooming set. Make sure your set includes infant-sized nail clippers and blunt edged scissors, as well as infant nail files.

2. Clip nails when your baby is in deep sleep when you can clip safely without your little one squirming around.

3. Depress the fingernail away from the skin. Apply slight pressure on the skin under the fingernail making the nail stick out.

4. Trim the nail in one motion along the curve of the finger. Cutting the nail straight across or with three short clips may leave sharp edges.

5. Check your baby's nails two to three times a week. Toe nails do not grow as quickly and need to be clipped maybe once a week, but your infant's fingernails will grow fast and need frequent clipping.

Tips & Warnings

• Try cotton mittens if you are squeamish about trimming your baby's nails.
• To see if your baby is in deep sleep do the "limp-limb" check. Your baby's arms should be loose at the sides with hands relaxed.
• It is best to leave a little bit of white on your baby's nail to prevent cutting down to the quick.
• Avoid ripping or biting your baby's nails. You may tear down to the quick and cause bleeding.

Who Can Help:

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[andrea3967]

on 2/18/2009 doing it while they are sleeping is best.

[aeaustin]

on 10/9/2006 Try putting the baby in a front carrier (like a Baby Bjorn) so that you have both hands free. Hold onto the baby's hands with your non-dominant hand, and clip with your dominant hand. Sing, talk, and distract baby so that she doesn't get upset.

on 6/30/2006 I prefer to file them with a soft emery board.

on 11/22/2005 I have always clipped my baby's nails while breastfeeding. The Boppy pillow works great to support his body, and he is so focused on eating that he doesn't notice what I'm doing.

on 11/22/2005 Clip nails after a warm bath. Nails are very soft and easy to clip and the baby is relaxed. Singing a song always helps too!