How To Cut Baby Nails When They Won’t Let You | 7 Simple Tips for Parents

One might think that trimming an infant’s nails would be a quick and easy operation. For some babies, it can be. However, with others, the opposite is true.

From an early age, my elder daughter seemed intent on blowing her top with the slightest indication that her nails would be trimmed. I found it disturbing and kept wondering if I had accidentally nipped her skin or had done something else to frighten her that was related to the process.

Finally, I consulted her pediatrician and was told about “tactile defensiveness.” This is a condition that some children have that causes them to feel discomfort and the desire to run away when certain types of tactile stimuli are experienced. It is a sensory response in a baby’s developing brain that, in most cases, is eventually outgrown. I also learned that many children experience this and, unless it is expressed to the extreme or appears with other specific symptoms, the condition is nothing to worry about.

Meanwhile, some specific steps can be taken to make nail trimming easier.

What is the easiest way on how to cut baby nails when they won’t let you

Trim nails while the baby is asleep

Fortunately, a baby’s nails do not need to be cut very often, but when they do, one of the easiest methods is to trim them while the infant is sound asleep. For light sleepers, however, this might not work as well. Filing rather than cutting is another way to make the trimming process easier. There are solutions for those who pitch a fit when clippers go near their fingers.

Lighting is key

The trimming should take place in a well-lit area. A lamp that is directed toward the nail clipping process works very well.

Try clipping a few nails at a time, then taking a break

Don’t feel that all nails have to be trimmed at once. If your child gets particularly upset during the process, they can be trimmed incrementally, 5 one day and five the next.

Trim nails after a bath when they’re extra soft

Clipping the nails after a bath assures that they will be clean and soft. Toenails should be cut straight across, but fingernails can be softly rounded. If sharp edges are detected after clipping, they should be gently filed down with an emery board.

Baby nail clippers or nail scissors can help

It is also essential to use tools specially designed for cutting tiny fingers. Adult nail clippers can be challenging to maneuver and can more easily end up clipping the ends of the child’s fingers or toes rather than just the nail. Baby clippers or specially-designed scissors that have blunt, rounded ends work well.

Try these tricks to keep your baby calm

An infant’s sensitivity issues can be addressed by massaging the hands with lotion or giving a firmer yet gentle massage with a towel before the trimming session to desensitize the skin. Playing music can calm the child, and it can also disguise the sounds of the clippers, a sound that can also be upsetting to sensitive children. Using rhythm can also be helpful because it alerts the child repeatedly of what is going to happen. “One, two, three…snip!”

How to file a baby’s nails with an emery board

Using a file to trim a baby’s nails is probably the safest method because there is no risk of accidentally cutting little fingers. Soft emery boards work well and can be purchased in compact sizes. They also have the advantage of being inexpensive and disposable, and they come in multi-packs.

Filing should begin on the outside edge of the nail and be used in one direction only. Sawing the fingernails back and forth can result in sharp edges and snags that can result in painful injuries if they get caught in clothing or knit blankets.

How to cut a baby’s nails without clippers

Filing the nails is the best way to shorten a baby’s nails without clippers. To review, the baby’s nails should be clean and softened with water before trimming. An emery board should be used from the outer corner of the nail to the other side rather than sawing. Any rough edges should be filed down to prevent snags.

However, some parents feel that biting or tearing the nails with their fingers works best. These are not good methods, as they can spread bacteria or cause the nail to rip below the cuticle, which is painful for the baby. Dermatologists report that this practice can also spread herpes.

When should I cut my baby’s nails for the first time?

Since babies’ nails grow at different rates, there is no definite time to begin trimming their nails. Some newborn’s nails grow very fast at first and can result in scratches as the child moves its arms around. If those are spotted on the baby’s skin, such as its face or neck, this indicates the nails must be trimmed. However, at around the age of one month, the nails have started to harden a little, so ideally, this is a good time to begin a trimming routine, if one has not started already, whether the baby has scratched itself or not.

How short should I cut my baby’s nails?

The most important thing about how short you should cut your baby’s nails can be stated in three words: not too short. Cutting the nails too short can injure the tissue beneath, which makes it more likely the area will become infected. It is best to leave a little of the visible part of the nail’s top and to file off any rough edges that might get caught in the child’s blanket or clothing. The filing part is very important, because a nail that gets caught up as the baby moves can end up tearing off irregularly or worse, and can also cause infection or injury to the baby’s finger.

Chill

The parent’s attitude while cutting a baby’s nails can go far to impart calmness and security. Pre-cutting snuggles, soft music, and comforting, honest words about what is happening can offer the child a less traumatic experience. Even if the baby is fussy and tries to let it be known that nail-biting isn’t fun, remaining calm is imperative.