Nail Polish for 4 Year Old

Hi:) My 2.5 yr. old expressed interest in nail polish, too. So, I bought her a cute little bag & a pretty little set of children's nail polish (Princesses). The colors are glittery, clear pastels. She loves it. We use them together & they're harmless, even peel off of skin. It's great for eye/hand coordination. She practices on her baby dolls, too. She doesn't mind that they're not the same colors as mommy's polishes.

Hi Stacy, I painted my daughters nails when she was little, and my little day care girls as young as 2 com in here with their finger and toe nails painted, I personally see no harm in it. J.

I don't think she's too young. My daughter bites her nails (she's 5) and so we use it as a preventive for that. But, I only used light colors. Usually, light pink, silver, light tan, etc. This way she feels special, but it doesn't look harsh on her little hands. Have fun, I usually do my own when I do hers, it allows me to pamper myself a bit. I usually have my husband watch the littler one, and we sit and have some alone time.

Just for fun, I would say it is not wrong to put nail polish on.

The wow of seeing one's fingers and toes sparkle is kind of fun. It is when selfworth gets caught up in it that there is a problem. If you make a big fuss over how pretty she suddenly is, well, that sends a poisonous message that pure, precious her isn't. I knew a lady who felt so little of herself she could not go outside unless she looked "perfect." She obsessed for hours over her nails, make up, hair, clothing, and figure. The poor thing ran outside with everything but secure self worth and a real smile! The best self worth is when we know pure, miraculous us is lovable, is LOVELY. That same lady has since thrown out all her trappings and has returned to the loveliness a genuine self and a genuine smile brings.

I think when our daughters understand that the only thing make up "makes up" for is the inner light and smile that we are not shining, it looses its appeal as a substitute for genuine self worth.

I think if you teach her what really matters things will be fine.

I think it's a fun age for doing grown-up things too. And since she's showing an interest in the nail polish, there's no harm. I don't agree with doing it before she even knows what it is. Some girls would choose not to be so girly if given the choice -- while others would still lap it up! Let them choose, though, for their own sense of identity and self-worth. My only concern with all of this is not pushing them to grow up too fast. Girls face this so much earlier than previous generations did. Don't forget to let your girls be little girls, and just play outside and dig in the mud -- even if they ruin their "manicures!" I also think nail polish for dress-up play is fun, but I wouldn't allow it for school or even church. Maybe I'm just a tad old-fashioned.

Hi S.,

I have a 5 year old and I actually started painting her nails (not all the time, just here and there) when she was 18 months. It's just a fun to have a few moments of being girls together. I don't have her paint her own just yet, I did let her try to paint my toes which was cute. I personally don't see a problem with it especially since she's four now. Just keep it out of reach after so she doesnt try to do it on her own and her brother try getting into it :-) I've also painted my niece's nails and her mom does too. She is alomst 2 1/2 yrs old. Make it a fun girl time when your son is taking a nap or something. It can be something she always remembers doing with you.

Hi S.,
I don't see anything wrong with nail polish on a 4 yo. I think once in a while is fine and as long as you approve of the colors it can be fun. You can make it more fun by making it a reward for good behavior-heading off to a salon with mommy can be a great treat!

One word of caution-try and find polish w/o formaldehyde. OPI brand is formaldehyde free. Cheapo polishes are full of yucky junk your baby can inhale.

E.

YES!!!! It is too early to start nail polish on a 4 year old.

Nail Polish and Polish remover are poison... just make sure to wash her hands well after taking off the polish and keep the remover way out of her reach... use polish that's Touline Free.. Signed X Manicurist turned Mommy

When we had our 4th child we started taking our other kids on dates 1x a month with mommy each and 1x a month with daddy each. My oldest daughter always wants to get coldstone with daddy, and with me she wants to get her nails done. She gets herself all dressed up first (usually in her dress up pricess clothes) and I curl her hair and we go. She really looks forward to our date, and always asks when it is. We circle a day on the calander and she x's down the days. She calls it a "great mommy day". Maybe with the baby a date day would be great for you guys too. I bring my own polish to the Salon (toxin free) and they only charge me $5.00. And they treat her really special and usually put a flower on for her as well. No harm! Silly for the mom to think that its only a pre-teen bonding thing. If you don't bond with them now they surely wont want to bond with you as a moody pre-teenager! make it a habit that they will stick with as a pre-teenager!

I have a 5 yr old that loves to paint her nails. I have been doing it since she was 3. Not all the time but every once in awhile. I dont think there is anything wrong with it. I mean you let her play dress up why not let her put something very harmless on her nails.
You are the mom though and it is your choice.

I think using nail polish occasionally is a great treat for a little girl. How many of us played house when we were little and pretended to do grown-up things?
However, nail Polish and nail polish remover have some pretty dangerous chemicals. These chemicals are dangerous when applied and when the fumes are breathed in. There are some safer versions out there at many health food stores. A brand I use is called "No Miss" nail polish. It stays on long but has no dangerous chemicals and there is a nice assortment of colors. You can also buy it on-line and have it shipped to you.

My three girls all started around 3-4 years old. As long as she does not still put her fingers in her mouth or suck her thumb. You can get really cute non toxic nail polish at Target too, it comes off fast, but it is so fun for them!
Enjoy!

I think it is perfectly fine. Little girls LOVE to do big girl stuff! I would make it a reward for her, she gets to have special girl time with just you for good behavior. When I nannied I would reward the lil girls with clear polish with sparkles in it after a week of good behavior. Lil girls love sparkles!

My daughter just turned six. She has been wearing nail polish for special occassions or just "special" days when we feel like putting it on since about four.

I went to a birthday party and met a mom that painted her two and eight month olds toes. She said she did it in the car when they were sleeping. Now I think that is too young!!!

We see alot of little girls in our photography business about this age. I would say about half have nailpolish on, whether on their fingers or toes. I don't think its a problem, but I would look for low odor forms if she's going to be doing it alot.

Hi S.!

I think the first time I painted my daughters nails she was about 2 1/2. She'll be 5 in a couple of months and it's something she LOVES to have me do. We don't do it all the time, because I rarely paint my nails. But since it's summer time, and she's wearing sandals she wants her fingers and toes done. I don't think there is any harm in it, as long as your princess isn't a nail biter or thumb sucker...
I take my daughter to the store, and I'll pick out 4 or 5 colors that I approve of, and let her choose one she likes. It's fun for the both of us! I've even let her paint my nails.... LOL! That was interesting, but harmless!
Have Fun!! :)

I have 3 1/2 year old twins and I paint their toenails. I don't paint their fingernails because one of them is a finger-sucker and a nail biter, but I would say that as long as your daughter doesn't do either of those things, then it's safe to paint her nails.

My daughter has been getting her nails painted since she was 2. She loves it.

No, my daughter had her nails painted by then. It's harmless and it keeps their hands/fingers out of their mouth because they don't want to mess up their 'pretty nails'.

My daughter is 2 and LOVES to get her nails painted. I use light pink and only put one coat on so it usually wears off by itself within a few days. If you choose to paint your daughter's nails then I would recommend getting the fast drying nail polish instead of the cheap stuff.

Make sure it's FREE of: Toluene, Formaldehyde, and Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP) becausev these are harmful & most nail polish contain them. You can get healthier brands at Whole Foods and E.L.F. Cosmetics has some: www.eyeslipsface.com & all their stuff is only $1!

I apologize in advance because I dont know of a nice way to put this.Please dont take this personally, excellent question, I have been battling with myself about this topic for the past year, but in the end..Make up and getting your nails done is for grown ups! Little girls can be little girls for only a little while. LET THEM BE NATURAL!!! Playing dress up with princess clothes is one thing,having a mommy daughter pedicure when she's a preteen is bonding, but nail polish on baby cute??? As they get bigger it's harder to argue things that you let them do when they are little. "NO" becomes an un-heard of word to them. I dont care if my daughter thinks I'm uncool or if everyone one else is doing it. I'm not trying to be her friend, I'm her MOM, trying to make her a lady in this broken world. Sorry but it's reality.

Its fine. I did get hassled by my pediatrician about it when he wanted to test my daughter's blood oxygen level, it makes getting a reading more difficult, so now I make sure its all removed before we visit the doctor.
~N.

I started putting nail polish on my girls when they would sit still for it. I just think it is too cute.
Have fun
B.

I think nail polish for a 4yr old makes the child feel cool. As long as the child doesn't bite her nails...let her have the painted nails...just make sure you take it off after a week and that she doesn't sniff the stuff. Also let her know that she can have it for no longer than a week and that she must have her nails clean at least 3/4 of the month. 1 week painted and 3 weeks clean to avoid early staining. My daughter bites all of her nails...she has almost none and I have tried to give her incentives like to paint them as not to get pin worms...just stop the biting. Also, children need to get grooming habits started as early as possible so that it stays with them for the long haul. Great habit to do self manicures and pedicures. Children are impressionable at the younger ages. When they are older, try getting them to paint their nails, or wear a dress...do it while they are willing to and encourage them to be feminine. You'll be so sorry if you react in a harmful manner. The more positive attention you give your child, better...just don't spoil them and go overboard.

I also have a four year old, who loves getting dressed up..I have done her nails several times..I always make sure it is a age appropriate color, and not too dark...It is a bonding thing for us, and I have even taken her to get a pedicure..I don't think there is anything wrong with it..It gives us a chance to talk and be girls together...:)

One of my favorite memories with my mom is playing make up, at a young age. She would Pretend. to put all her make up on me and I love doing this with my 2 1/2 twin girls. With nail polish we keep it to a very light pink or white, nothing flashy, I also have some white eye shadow and blush, that are kid friendly. Every sunday the girls all get ready for church together and they reveal themselves to daddy like superstars, and at a glance you cant tell I' ve done anything. Nail polish and make up are part of being a girl and it is a great way to bond

Hi not at all too early. i started at 6months when the Dr gave the ok. It's so neat seeing my daughters face after she's picked out her new color at the store!