How to Trim Your Baby's Finger Nails

Trimming your baby's fingernails can be a stressful experience, but it doesn't have to be. Here are tips on how to trim your infant's nails down to size.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Trim your baby's nails while he/she is sleeping or eating.

2. File down your baby's fingernails with a baby-sized nail file. Be careful not to rub the file against your infant's skin.

3. Bite your baby's nails off with your teeth. Remember that an infant's fingernails are soft and paper-like. You do not have to do much to bite through them. Gently bite down on one edge. Do not rip them off. Carefully nibble your way across the fingernail.

4. Tear the nails very gingerly from one edge to the other with your fingers. After washing your hands thoroughly, use your fingernail to clip an opening on one side of your baby's fingernail. Then tear the nail off in tiny increments, making certain that you are only removing the outgrowth of the nail. Do not do rip the nail off in one single motion.

5. Use baby nail clippers. Before each cut, make sure your baby's skin is not caught between the clippers' cutting edges.

Tips & Warnings

• Take your time. If your baby will cooperate for only a few nails, then trim the other nails at a later time.
• These methods can be used for cutting toenails as well.

[IcyCucky]

on 3/14/2009 Great tips!