No one ever thinks that part of parenting is being able to give a newborn a pedicure and manicure but that job can begin on day one. Many babies come out of the womb with long and sharp nails that are hard to ignore. Most of us try to just cover them up instead of trimming them. You may have a few infant shirts with sleeves that fold over the hands to protect your baby’s delicate face from getting scratches. Babies have to be changed and bathed and can not always wear those. Mittens are very cute but just come off of newborn’s small hands. Socks on the hands work better but eventually you still have to cut those darn nails.
The best way to cut a newborn’s nails is to start by having a good nail trimmer and relaxing. It should fit comfortably in your hand and be made for tiny nails. Do not use the dirty trimmer that daddy uses on his toenails! Next, make sure there is plenty of light so you are less likely to cut the surrounding skin. It helps to have the baby relaxed as well. During a feed or a nap in your arms, the baby will likely be the most relaxed and tolerate the cutting. This may require two people. If your baby’s nails are very brittle it may help to cut the nails after a bath when the nail has softened a bit.
If you do happen to cut your baby’s finger a little, do not panic. Simply wash the finger with soap and water and pat dry with a clean towel. Do not suck on the finger as the normal germs in your mouth can introduce an infection. If the skin begins to look a little red, try soaking it and washing it and applying a topical antibiotic ointment. If there is a lot of redness or pus, go see your doctor.
If you are still too scared to clip the nails, then get a fine nail filer or an emery board and smooth out the nails. It is important to only file in one direction so you don’t wear out your baby’s delicate fingertips. You may have to file her nails daily.
Enjoy your baby’s perfect little finger and toes because they will grow very quickly in your hands.
Baby Manicure and Pedicure - How to Cut Your Newborn's Nails
Nov 18, 2009 | By
