How to Clip an Infant's toenails

Diapers, crying, feeding, bathing, and umbilical cord care are all responsibilities mothers and fathers must take on when a baby is born. Of all responsibilities and duties, however, clipping infant fingernails and toenails seems to be the most daunting. Not only do you have to have near perfect eyesight to cut clearly, your child has to stay perfectly still. Nurses, doctors, and books tackle the job of fingernail cutting, but very few even mention toenail cutting. Although some children dislike their toenails being cut even more than their fingernails, it is rarely discussed. This guide was designed to help new parents cut their infant's toenails without fear.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Battery operated touch light
• Baby nail clippers
• Bowl of warm water
• Washcloth.

1. Tear off your baby's toenails in the first few weeks. If they appear too long to you (you can see white beyond the toe), tearing is easy because they are extremely thin and pliable.

2. Rock your baby to sleep. Once your baby is older than a couple of weeks and you need to cut his toenails, you will need to begin using nail clippers. It is best for your child to be asleep during this time so he doesn't move around. You can do this step, or let your partner do it. Either way, the one who does not rock the baby will be cutting the toenails.

3. Place a touch light near your baby's feet. Touch lights provide good lighting for you to see tiny toes, while also providing soft light to keep your baby asleep.

4. Fill a bowl with warm water and drop a washcloth into the bowl. Wring out the washcloth, and gently lay it across one foot. Keep it in place for 3 minutes. This is to make the toenails more flexible and pliable. This makes them much easier to cut.

5. Remove the washcloth and pick up your nail clippers. Cut only half as much toenail as you think you need to cut in the beginning. You can pick up the slack next time. Your first time clipping your baby's toenails should be positive. Don't risk cutting too much toenail during your first attempt.

6. Snip your baby's toenails straight across. Do not curve them. This could promote ingrown toenails.

Tips & Warnings

• If your baby wakes up, simply stop clipping and begin again when she has fallen back asleep.
• Toenails grow much slower than fingernails. Don't be alarmed if you clip your baby's fingernails 5 times as often as her toenails.
• Be sure to check the clippers each time you clip to make sure you have only toenail inside the two blades. You don't want to cut your baby's skin.