Baby Blog

When it comes to caring for your nails, the main priorities are diet for strong nails, trimming excess length to prevent breakage, filing any sharp parts, and cleaning under your nails. 

It is no different for your baby, only baby nails are a lot softer, are sharp, and grow really fast! If you trim your baby's nails regularly, this can prevent them from scratching themselves, especially their face. Because their nails are so thin, when they scratch, it's something like getting a papercut. Ouch!

Trimming your baby's nails can be a nerve-wracking experience. If they are awake, they rarely stay still, so choosing a time when your baby is relaxed or asleep can be a much calmer experience. Since their nails are so thin, it can be hard to feel if you are cutting in the right spot, and the thought of cutting them and causing them pain is just awful. 

There are many devices you can buy for cutting your baby's nails, you can buy something made specifically for trimming baby's nails, or use nail scissors or clippers that you would use for yourself. There are many options to choose from including the following: 

1. Nail clippers - small, medium or large-sized - If you are used to using nail clippers on yourself, you might find small nail clippers which are easy to hold are be the easiest option for you. Without being careful though, clippers can cut too deep into the nail or cut the skin surrounding the nail. When using the clippers, make sure you feel the nail between the blades and you are clear of the fingertip skin and the skin beside the nail.  

2. Nail Snail trimmer - a unique and safety first design for trimming, filing and cleaning under your baby's nails. It takes some getting used to but is especially great for worry-free caring for baby nails which are very soft and need to be kept short.

3. Nail file - electric or emery board - Instead of cutting the nail, babies nails are soft enough to file down. Again, to do this without getting the skin around the nail is difficult, the skin needs to be held away from the nail and the file moved at an angle that only touches the nail. 

4. Nail Scissors (safety tip) - Nail scissors take some practice to use as you need to carefully line up the nail between the inside cutting edges, holding the finger with one hand and make sure you are don't cut the skin. Having a rounded edge tip is better than a sharp tip to prevent chances of the tips stabbing surrounding fingers while cutting. This option is good if you are used to cutting your own nails with scissors, but can be nerve-wracking otherwise.

It might take some trial and error to find the tool that works best for you. It's ok if you end up buying more than one type of clipper, or get gifted a manicure kit. It can be useful to have more than one option lying around as they are small and tend to get lost, and are handy to have on hand in a few placed around the house for if your baby falls asleep on you and you have the opportunity to cut their nails.

Just don't be too hard on yourself while you are learning!

Please note: Above all, any information on this website aims to provide general ideas for informational and educational purposes only. We encourage users to investigate several information sources, including, where necessary, independent individualised medical advice before making any decisions that could affect you or your child’s health or wellbeing.

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