Cutting fingernails on babies.

[Madison68]

Has anyone got any good techniques for making this job easier? My youngest daughter is seven months old and screams the house down.

[daffy654]

Do it when they're asleep. My daughter hasn't cut her 10 week old son's nails at all yet,she brings him round to my house so I can do it for her.lol.

[redcrx]

Oh i hate that job at best of times so always let Mr CRX do it.

Hes got our son into a routine once a week where he cuts his nails after his bath and before bed. Hes calm and relaxed at that point of the day and its easier to cut them when hes sleepy and ready for bed.

Perhaps you could try that?

[radiogaga]

hello madison68.
i usually wait to babygaga's sleeping, but even then you need to be extra quick.
im at the end of my tether at the mo as ive misplaced the nail clippers and her nails and toe nails are v long!!
good luck, radio. xx

[daffy654]

I don't use nail clippers to do the job radiogaga,I have always used nail scissors,they are much easier for me to handle.

[Madison68]

We've both tried it when she's relaxed, and while her toenails are no problem, she winds herself up into a real state when we go to her fingernails. It's left for me to do now, and I've had some success when she's asleep, but she wakes up before I finish all ten. My other son and daughter have never been a problem with anything except knots in their hair.

[daffy654]

Have you tried making a game out of it,maybe sing this little piggy went to market or something.?

[Madison68]

Daffy that's a brilliant idea! I sing her to sleep a lot. Why didn't I think of that? Thank you!

[annie0000]

I always did my two when they were asleep - they never woke up - they are both heavy sleepers - I showed buyers round our house when they were in bed sleeping loads of times - we have had partys and they will drop off in the middle amongst all the noise, I have stripped them, changed them and carried them about quite easily without waking them!

Is there something about it that she doesn't like? Is it the noise or the holding her hand?

At 7 months, there is not really a lot of reasoning that you can do, but could one of you get her really interested in something else while the other one does it quickly?

What about fileing them instead?

[Madison68]

Annie, we tried filing and that was a disaster. I've racked my brains wondering if she's ever hurt her hand, and we were oblivious to it.

[bagpuss1956]

I had the same problem with my two, in the end I found the best way was to do it with my teeth. Sounds daft but it stopped the screaming and kept their nails short !!

[lil123]

I used to do mine when they feel asleep. My son doesn't seem to mind as we make it in to a game x

[misterL]

Youv'e got to either distract her when you'r doing it or make it dead intersting so she is fully co-operating with you. Get your husband to play a part (he should be helping you out) by making it fun instead of a chore. Thas what we did.

Thers some good advice here or you could try one of the many webstes for new mums.

[kawa4]

Hi Madison i always bite them myself i know it sounds horrible but it works! Well one my two anyway!

[cybil2403]

I use nail scissors and sing the alphabet to her or nursery rhymes (she loves my singing - the only person that does!!)
This distracts and amuses her.

[skyep]

Do one hand one night, one the next while they're asleep xxx

[Madison68]

Thanks for the good advice. I feel clumsy with the delicate jobs on the babies. Their mother's always been much better at it than me. I tried the singing and it worked for one hand. I tried the other one the next night. I bit them off on the end.

[misterL]

I notice you didn't rate my answer which was perfectly legitimate. I didn't know you were the father.

You should not bite the nails of young babies as it can be dangerous if you tear the skin. Have a look at this website for some hints and tips.

http://www.ehow.com/how_11437_clip-babys-nails .html

~Avoid ripping or biting your baby's nails. You may tear down to the quick and cause bleeding

[sandrajo]

What a load of 'tosh' ^^^ people have been biting their kids finger and toe nails for years it's the best way to do it Madison68...just remember and spit them out. LOL

[misterL]

From MayoClinic.com



Your baby's nails are soft � but their ability to scratch may surprise you. If wielding a scissors or other sharp object anywhere near your baby runs counter to your parental instincts, don't worry. With the right tools and a little practice, you can trim your baby's nails quickly and safely.


What you need

Nail clippers or manicure scissors designed for infants are best. The tips are rounded for safety. Look for these products where you buy other baby supplies.

Resist the temptation to trim your baby's fingernails with your teeth. The nails may tear easily, but not evenly. And the germs in your mouth may cause an infection if there's a break in your baby's skin.


What to do

You can get the job done in three easy steps.

Get a grip. Use one hand to hold your baby's finger or toe. To reduce the likelihood of a pinch or cut, press the skin under the nail down and out of the way.
Trim the nail. Use the other hand to trim the nail and round off any sharp edges. For fingernails, follow the nail's natural shape. For toenails, trim straight across.
Check your work. When you've trimmed all the nails, smooth any rough edges with a soft emery board.
At first, your baby's fingernails may grow more quickly � and need more attention � than his or her toenails. But even if your baby's toenails don't need to be trimmed, check them for sharp or rough edges that may get caught on blankets or clothing.


When baby won't hold still

A squirming baby can take the challenge of trimming tiny nails to a new level. It may help to trim your baby's nails after a bath, when the nails are softer. You might ask another person to hold or distract the baby while you trim his or her nails � or simply wait until your baby is asleep.