How to Trim a Baby's Nails

Small finger and toe nails pose quite a challenge when it comes to trimming nails. Baby nails also seem to grow at a rapid rate and almost constantly need to be trimmed. Although you may need some assistance, there are some easy steps that ensure a safe trimming of your baby's nails. Read on to learn more.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Nail clippers
• Emery board

1. Relax your baby. It is easiest to trim your baby's nails while she is in her most relaxed state. This may be during nursing or feeding from a bottle, during a nap or even after a bath. If this is not possible, have someone help by distracting the baby with a toy while you work on trimming the nails.

2. Hold your baby's fingers or toes in one hand while holding the clippers in the other hand. Your grip should be firm but not so strong that you cause discomfort or pain.

3. Bring the clippers to the finger or toe nail that you wish to cut, being careful not to nip a nearby finger or toe with the side of the clippers. The back edge of the clipper should be on the inside of the nail behind the white exposed part of the nail.

4. Clip the nail gently while pushing down the pad of the finger or toe. You must not clip the nail too quickly in case the baby moves or you accidentally push the clippers too far down into the nail bed.

5. Smooth any rough edges of the nail with an emery board after clipping. This will prevent a sharp edge of a nail from scratching you or your baby.

Tips & Warnings

• Cut finger nails along the curve of the finger but cut toe nails straight across to prevent ingrown toe nails.
• Nails are softest after a bath. You may find it easier to clip your babies nails when they are at their softest state.
• You may find your baby is only relaxed enough to have one hand or foot trimmed at a time, simply try to finish trimming the nails at the next time your baby is relaxed.
• If you are nursing, you may need someone else to do the trimming of the nails if your arms are busy holding the baby. A nursing pillow may help if you want to attempt to trim the baby's nails while nursing.
• Nail clippers with a magnifying glass attached are available for use with babies. This would help get a better view of the tiny nails you are clipping.
• If you are uncomfortable using nail clippers on your baby, an emery board can be used instead. Simply file down any rough or sharp edges on your baby's nails.
• Stop trimming if you draw blood when trimming nails. Apply pressure to the wound to stop it from bleeding.
• Never use an adhesive bandage on your baby's fingers or toes, the bandage may come off when they are playing and become a choking hazard. Try a liquid bandage approved for babies if you feel you need to use a bandage at all.
• Exercise extreme caution when trimming a baby's nails. Because babies are unable to hold still it is easy to injure them during the nail trimming process.
• Always use nail clippers designed for use on babies. Adult size nail clippers are larger, sharper and may trim off part of the skin when clipping.
• Some parents find it easiest to bite off the nails of their baby, but this method increases the odds of introducing bacteria to any open wounds on your child's hands.

Resources

• Babies