Baby Nail Trimming: When And How?

Not only a lot of questions, but also myths are associated with a child’s first nail clip. Some say cutting a baby’s nails too early can expose a child to certain problems or illnesses.

The exact limit on when a baby’s nails can be cut is not defined. The fetus spends nine months surrounded by fluid, and thus a small child has inherently sensitive skin. Thus, even in the early days of a baby’s life, nails are brittle and soft.

With this in mind, you should wait for the nails to harden, as this will make them a little easier to cut. However, some children are born after a calculated time and may have longer-than-usual nails. In this case, the child may injure themselves by scratching, and parents should cut their nails carefully.

When should you start cutting your baby’s nails?

When a baby is born, his nails stick to the skin and are thus difficult to cut. Indeed, most parents expect the child to grow up at 3-4 weeks of age before cutting their nails.

You can use a special nail file designed for babies to avoid
possible scratches and nails getting stuck on clothes. Your baby’s nails can be surprisingly sharp.

A common question for parents is how often the baby’s nails should be cut. It can be difficult to stick to the routine as the baby’s nails can grow very quickly. Some children have their nails cut up to twice a week. It’s best to keep an eye on growth all the time and remember that your baby’s toes also have nails!

How to cut a newborn’s nails?

The best time to cut your nails is when your child is as relaxed as possible.  This can be after a bath or feeding or even while the baby is sleeping. If the child is calm, nail trimming can be attempted while he or she is sitting on his or her parent’s lap.

During the first months, you should use special  blunt-headed scissors or cutters.  To avoid injuries, keep them perpendicular to the nail when cutting.

Good lighting helps prevent accidents. Also, make sure that your grip on the baby’s hand or foot is firm in case of sudden movements. Cut carefully but surely.

Common mistakes

• Nail trimming rounded. Your baby’s nails should be cut directly, as this will prevent the nails from growing in, for example.
• Cutting nails too short. Some parents make the mistake of cutting a nail all the way to the part that sticks to the skin. This leaves the sensitive area prone to injuries and inflammation.

• Using nail clippers or trimmers for other things. Reserve your baby’s nail care equipment just for this purpose to keep them clean.
• Shortening baby nails by biting. This technique is more common than you can imagine. Some parents are afraid of scissors and therefore use their own teeth, but this can lead to inflammation.
• Allowing nails to break. Fear of cutting nails can lead to excessive nail growth and thus breakage. Sometimes the result is deep wounds and tears, and the child can cause themselves scratches.

The myth of mittens and nails

To avoid scratches, some parents put mittens or gloves on the baby’s hand and let them be on all the time. This is a mistake as these clothes should only be used to protect your baby from the cold.

Don’t forget that a baby’s hands are the means by which he or she communicates with his or her environment. Touch is an important thing for the baby to recognize his mother during breastfeeding. She also practices breastfeeding to insist on sucking by putting her hand in her mouth.

So leave the child’s hands free, but pay attention to his nails.