Tips for Making Nail-cutting Easier

I actually had this same problem so I decided to just file her nails with a nail file. I also did this when she was asleep because she would sleep through it and I didn't have to worry about her fussing through it. Good luck.

What I found worked best is just peeling them off. Usually babies nails are very soft and will just peel off. I have had 8 children and if I just used my own nail and started the nail ripping it would come off just above the quick. If that doesn't work hold the skin of her finger down with one finger (I used to use my thumb) and use baby scissors to cut the nail. The easiest thing is to just put baby mittens on her hand. You can make some very easily by cutting a round of material just larger than her hand, sew around three edges and with a large needle put a draw string around the opening so you can tie it onto the baby's wrist.

My sister used to paint my daughters nails when she was asleep, then later again when she was sleeping I would clip them. I have been told that nail scissors work best on baby nails as well.

~M.~

Hi E....When my kids were babies, I found the easiest way to do their nails were when they were sleeping. Worth a try huh? Good luck!

Sometimes you can just rip the nails off but, like biting, you have to be careful to get it smooth, maybe a bit of filing. Torn nails can cause ingrown nails. A lot depends on the kid, too. Our first, now 4 1/2 finds it the most traumatic experience no matter who does it or how. Our 18 month old thinks it's funny and totally cooperates. Congratulations on your little one!

well i'm from the old school, i was taught to bite the nail off with the front of your teeth only. but you must be careful when doing this . see if this works for you. or you could try polishing the tip so you can see what you are clipping .

try doing it when the baby is sleeping. That is what I have done with all three of my kids including my 9 month old.

Hi E.
I have always cut fingernails when the baby is sleeping. It is much easier! Good luck!

Hi E., I do it after my baby has had her bath and she's nursing. She's usually so relaxed she doesn't know the difference. Good luck!

I was very nervous too with my daughter, I have been told that when she is napping is the best time to trim her nails. Or if you have another mom friend who is not too squeamish, maybe she can help you out. also, when you go in for a manicure at your local shop, they would probably due it for no charge.

I always cut my son's nails when he was asleep. If you put your finger into their hand, they'll curl their fingers down, which makes it easier to clip the nails. Worked for me!

Bath makes the nails softer. I peel or clip nails after bathtime. Also, you might get her some sand to dig her hands into. Just a bucket of it, maybe at the table while she's waiting for dinner (then wash, of course) but I think hands repeatedly making fists--squishing--in the sand can help "file" them down. Last year I went 5 months without doing my kids nails when they had a sandbox outside to play in.

I was really scared of the nail scissors but they are actually the easiest. My daughter is almost 8 mo and no blood yet! I have zero fine motor skills and can't even paint my own nails.
I just keep them handy by the glider where I nurse her and I "test" her occasionally to see if she'll let me trim them, whether she's nursing, we are reading books, whatever. Sometimes it works, and if not, and I just try again later.

I was terrified also and was introduced to nail sissors- It was great. I clipped them in both of my sons sleep- I also used socks on there hands instead of hand mittens because they stayed on better.

I'm a professional cosmetologist (Hair and Makeup) as well as a SAHM, if you live in the Lehi area and wouldn't mind coming by my home, I'd be happy to help you with this frustrating problem, nobody wants to make their kids bleed.

Hi E.,
The nail cutting was, and actually still is, one of the most difficult hygiene tasks to do with my now 13 mo. old daughter. I have always found the easiest time to do it is when she falls asleep in my arms because she's close and I can use both hands. Months ago when she was nursing, I would wait until she finished eating and fell asleep - she wouldn't even move. Also, make sure you've got really good light, and if possible, hold her hand up so you can kind of see through the nails. This makes it easier to distinguish nail from skin. Don't worry, it'll get easier.

Like everyone else suggested - cut her nails while she sleeps.

Also, I had a friend recommend a particular set of nail clippers that I have only found in a grooming kit. After trying the tiny baby nail clippers (too small) the kind with the extra large handle (too cumbersome) and nail scissors (never got the hang of them - always left the nails too long), I finally purchased this grooming set and fell in love with the nail clippers. I loved them so much that when I lost my first pair, I immediately headed out to buy a whole new grooming set just for the clippers. In fact, I still have that set and just used them to cut my 3-year olds nails. Well worth the $7 for the grooming kit. And if I lose this set, you can bet I'll be buying another kit. They give you excellent control and your hands don't get in the way.

Here's a link - they are only at Babies R Us/Toys R Us, as it's their product brand. (In the picture, they are right next to the scissors. It looks like they changed the design a little, so I hope they work as well as mine.)
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2390194

Do it while she is sleeping. This was the only way for me to do my daughters and she never even knew I was doing it. Now (12 months later) she actually watches and thinks it is neat. So it does get better but I would do it while she sleeps. Try to lay her on your bed when she falls asleep so you have both hands to do it. :) Good Luck!
J. S

The problem is babies skin is still attached to the nail for quite some time making it hard to tell what is nail and what is skin. I use the nail scissors bacause you eliminate the risk of cutting too short. I also cut my sons nails while he is asleep that way he isn't putting up a fight and I can focus on what I am doing. I do sometimes use those tiny emery boards to take off any edges after I have trimmed the nails. I also have to trim his nails every week because they grow so fast. I hate using those little clippers because half the time they don't cut they just bend it. Good luck.

I found it easier to do when they were sleeping. But my kids had such soft nails that I could almost peel them away without it hurting them. I'd do it right after bath time.

Have you tried cutting her nails while she's sleeping? My daughter scratched her face a lot too and her hands were constantly moving, but while she slept I was able to focus more on her nails and it made cutting them a lot easier. I also noticed with some clippers the way you hold them makes a difference, sometimes if I flipped the clippers so they looked upside down when I was using them they clipped her nails easier instead of ripping or bending them. I guess if it's still too difficult keep socks or little gloves over her hands to protect her from scratching until her nails are longer/easier to see and then cut. I wish I was more help. Good luck!

Wait until she is sleeping, I found this to the best and easiest time to trim them. Just keep the clippers close by. Good Luck!

Wait until she is sleeping and then she won't move while your cutting her nails!!! Try that and let me know how it works

Buy the baby nail scissors from Rubis. They cut the nails so easily, but never cut the skin. I thought they seemed like alot of money at first, but after I cut my son for the second time with the clippers I decided they were worth it. I found then online by doing a Google search.

Also, try having your husband cut her nails while she's nursing, that worked for us. I've heard that you can cut them while they are sleeping, but my son always woke up whenever I tried.

I think a few other moms mentioned this, but get nail SCISSORS!!! They are a million times easier and safer to use than clippers. I used them with my son after struggling with clippers and I will never go back! They usually come in the baby care packs, but I believe I have seen them sold by themselves before at Walmart in the baby section. After I got the nail scissors, cutting my sons nails became a simple and easy task.

When I was in the hospital with my first child, the nurse told me that the best time and way to cut a babies nails is right after a bath when they are softer and then just tear them. Believe it or not, it worked great! I can't remember how many months I was able to do that for, but it really avoided worrying about cutting them with the clippers. Also, biting them can make them jagged. They tear right across where they are supposed to at their young age.

My 9 month old son is a wild man with his arms. I have found it is much much easier to cut them after his bath and when he is sleeping. His nails are softer and then with him sleeping he doesn't wiggle around. I hope this works.

try cutting them when she's asleep.

Hi E.,
Advice I had been given; try taking care of her nails when she is sleeping, whether you clip or file them.
Hope this is helpful,
T.

Try cliping when she's asleep. It's the only thing that worked for me at this age.

I had a hard time too, especially when they are so tiny. I ended up using those hang-nail cutters, they are sharp and pointy, but you can really get under and just cut where you want. Like everyone else, try asleep or after the bath so they are soft and she's relaxed.

Try cutting them while she is sleeping that way she wont be moving around so much.

I had a hard time with this, too. I discovered that my little girl (now 8 months) is mesmerized by the television. So, even though I never let her watch it, when I need to cut her nails I make an exception. we sit down on the couch, I turn it on, and she immediately becomes very still, just staring at the screen. It's the only way I can get her hands to stop moving long enough for me to get the nail clippers to work--you just have to be quick before the novelty wears off. Maybe your little girl is similarly mesmerized by something?

I am a first time mom too. Before being a mom I did nails and hair. I learned through my profession that you should cut the nails while they are sleeping. I found that to work the best for my son 8 months now. Hope this helps. Bethany

It's easiest for me to cut nails while the child is sitting still, which really doesn't happen often. If you notice anything your daughter enjoys so much that she sits still, try clipping her nails during that. My toddler will sit still if I hold her on my lap and sing songs or read her a story, so it helps to do those things while I clip her nails.

hi i found the easiest way is take them to a well lit room when they r sleeping and in no time u have it done, i do that with my kids as well as i do now with my grandkids........

When my daughter was that little, I would always clip her nails while she was sleeping. She was still so I wouldn't cut her and I was able to get her nails pretty short without injury!!

Dear E. B,

I cut my childrens nails when they were asleep. The little hands are not moving and they never woke up. My daugher now cuts my grand childrens nails when they are asleep. Hope this works for you.

L. J

Cut them while she is sleeping. Right after she falls asleep in your arms. Had the same problem here but it worked like a charm. Have Dad help you. Bonding time.

My mother-in-law geared me towards the best thing...safety moustache scissors! They have rounded ends so there is no point and the scissor are small and fit a baby's fingers so well!

I trim my baby's nails when he's sound asleep.... it works great

When I realize it's time for the nails to be trimmed, I put the clippers in my pocket as a reminder. At some point during the day when the baby is napping, I zip them out and trim away. Sometimes I even climb in the back seat of the car when we get home and do a quick trim before I get him out of the car seat.

I wish I had a magic answer. Try cutting them after a bath when they are soft. My daughter would wait for me to come over to cut her finger and toenails. She never seemed to mind me doing it. I used a larger baby nail cutter because you could do it in one snip. You need to cut them though, my daughter has a small scar on one cheek from scratching herself at about a month. Okay so no one but me will ever notice it but I do. I tried biting them, but like you, I thought it kind of gross. Good luck!

The only time I can get my daughter to sit still enough for me to cut her finger-nails is when she is asleep. When they start to get long, I put the nail clippers on the chair that I breastfeed her in so then after I feed her if she happens to fall asleep when I lay her on my lap, I can clip them then. Sometimes it takes me a couple feedings to get them all because she doesn't always go to sleep after I feed her but that is the only thing that has worked for me.

I used those baby mittens so she wouldn't scratch her face. She wore them all the time. Then when I had to cut them I used infant scissors and that worked better than nail clippers for me.
I would put her in my lap and go outside so she would have something to look at then change chairs, or my sitting location, when she started to fuss.

I used cuticle scissors and cut their nails when they were asleep.

Note: As a former nail biter of my own nails. Saliva seems to have made my nails thin and effected the shape even though it's been years since I quit. I wouldn't recommend that for a baby!

I FILED them while she was sleeping for the first couple of months, only when I felt more confident with the clippers (and her fingers were little bigger) did I switch to cutting.
Now that she's older, I think I've done a good job of telling her over and over how well she's doing sitting still, and "look how fast mommy can trim your nails when you're so still!"
Anyway, it'll get easier! Good luck!

Hi E.,

I have a 4 month old and his nails grow soo fast too. I usually cut his nails with the clippers after I give him a bath. His nails are softer and usually easier to cut at that time. However, I do have to work at keeping his hands still but, the nails do cut easier after they are wet. Hope that helps.

A.

E.,

I also hated cutting my kids nails. A friend shared this with me. Clip just the one end, and then gently peel the nail away and off. This is so much easier than clipping the entire nail, it worked wonderfully! I also would do it right after bath when my kids nails were soft! Hope this helps!

Good Luck!

J. C.

The easiest is to tear them when they're little - either while nursing or while they're asleep. They tear in just the right spot. I never had to try to tear it again and I never tore too far. It's quick.

When they're older, clip when they're asleep.

I always ended up cutting my kids nails while they were napping, especially if they ended up asleep in the car. It made it a tad bit hard to work in the back seat but for the most part it worked really well.

Hi E.-
I always kept a set of clippers in my purse so when they fell asleep in the car (which they do ALOT), at my next stop, I could clip their nails. Also, keep a set near the area where you typically breastfeed. Good luck!

I always used to cut my girls' nails when they were sleeping. It was the perfect solution to my wiggly baby and her sharp nails.

I have always used the scissors. They are so much easier and I feel like I have better control. They are just real small and the tip is curved. You can find them in the store by the nail polish and things. Good luck it will get easier!!

I found some great nail scissors at Babies R Us with a light on them. I am also not comfortable with biting nails or the clippers. These seemto help a lot.

while she is sleeping and after the bath, just like everyone said, and I skip the magnifying lens. It may look smart but it's not practical, is it? I try to round the corners on my boys' hands when I cut their nails so they don't have sharp edges. Of course never do this on their feet, and a lot of mothers forget cuticles. After a bath, or midway through, grab their hands and push back each cuticle. This prevents hangnails if you remember to do it about once a week, and it just looks better. I sometimes push back the cuticles on their toenails also.

HI,
I have found that with my little ones it is easiest for me to cut their nails if they sit on my lap facing away from me. This way it is almost as if I am cutting my own nails. I hold their hand in my left fist with only the finger I am trimming left out. I use the baby clippers that are just little and have no magnifying glass. Personally the ones with the magnifier are a pain in the butt! Trimming from this angle is so much easier for me. Sometimes I have to bribe my 2 and 3 year olds to let me trim but once we get started it usually goes quickly and my very active 8 month old usually doesn't mind either. I hope this helps!

Clip them while she is asleep. Make sure you push back the pads of her fingers from th nail while cutting. At a baby shower I saw a pair of fingernail clippers with a magnify glass attached to it. Maybe those would help.

Try clipping her nails when she is in the bathtub they get softer, easier to clip and will change color after being the water a while. It really helps to get her used to having it done, you practicing doing it. Keeping kids nails trimmed really keeps germs and stuff away from them and the older they get the grosser (hee hee) it will get when they are playing outside and so on. It is so easy and just have to get used to doing it. I have two kids that will actually come tell me when their nails are too long, hee hee.

With all 3 of mine I use the biting method or baby scissors that have a rounded end. It's still not super easy, my new one likes to curl her fingers tightly, she's my hardest to cut so far, butit gets the job done.

I use the same kit from BabiesRUs as in the link above, and I tilt the clippers up, so they are not parallel to his finger. That way, less of the clipper is going beneath his nail. Good luck!

I had that same problem with my son... I got a pair of baby nail scissors with my manicure set and I find that they work alot better. I never clip his skin any more the only problem I have is getting him to hold still long enough. But they took away alot of my anxiety about cutting his nails.

I have eight children, all grown, and when they were babies i found that if I clipped just the very corner of the nail, then th nail could be pealed off, they are pretty soft. It's easiest to do when the baby is asleep.

I know this isn't much help... practice makes prefect. I was scared to do my first daughter's nails, and yes I made her bleed a time or two (probably more). With time this chore will become easier. As she grows you can sing with her or "1...2...3.." and clip on three so she knows what is coming. Filing worked well with me. I generally did it when she was nursing or sleeping. I would always wait to clip until she was asleep so she wasn't moving as much.

Now with three kids, I don't even think about it. Just sit and clip. They do it well and don't remember the early "misses".

Good luck. Love those little hands. They grow too fast.

I cut my children's nails when they are sleeping. If you lay them on a bed or couch (somewhere that is high enough that you can have easy access to their hands) on their stomach (they sleep more soundly this way), I find that it helps. Then, just make sure that they are in a deep sleep. You won't have any more flailing and you can get much closer to see where the nail ends and the finger begins. It's not completely fool proof. If you hold their hand too tight or something, they may pull away, but I've found that it is much easier for me. I hope this helps.

I think just using some good old bathroom scissors are the best, the clippers are too annoying and if she is not fighting you too much, just use the scissors you would use for you, it is so much easier!

I always did it while she was sleeping. I did it gingerly, and it did take a few rounds to get it done, but it worked when my daughter was still little.

When my little girl was tiny, I used the nail cutting scissors that they make for babies. They won't cut skin, and I found that they were a lot easier to control than the clippers. I think you can find them in the baby section by the clippers in the store. Hope that helps!

I found a small pair of surgical sissors while my son was sleeping worked the best. He is 8 now and he still use those sissors to clip his nails.

You have to catch her while she's sleeping it's the only way.

Hi E.,

Cutting a new babies nails is never easy, but I found it to be helpful to do it when baby is sleeping.

good luck

L.
Grandma of 5

E.,
I found that the easiest time to clip my daughters nails was immediately upon waking from a nap. I would lay her in my lap and engage her in a story or what does the (dog, cat, cow, etc) say? game. I had to clip fast, but I would usually get them all done before she got too ansy. And I try to clip her nails every other day, our shower days, so that I can get to them before they get too long.It won't be long before her tiny fingers are big enough to be easier to clip.

H.