Today’s topic is something I absolutely dreaded doing for all my babies, especially with my first; clipping their nails.
It was totally intimidating and I had to have other parents show me how before I even tried on my own kids. I’m sure I’m not the only parent around here with those same fears so I wanted to break down exactly how to do it.
1. Choose/buy a baby nail clipper
Options range from a rounded scissor to nail clippers. I personally prefer the nail clippers. I feel like I have more control and grip on them, which is nice to have when you are first getting the hang of it. Also, they can fit under even the littlest nails, making the job go by quicker.
2. Find an ideal time
So when is the optimal time to be cutting your baby’s nails? I would definitely recommend clipping the nails soon after bath time. This is the time they will be the softest and easiest to cut.
If your child is still very young, you might even be able to get away with clipping them at nap time or when they are nursing. For older kids, I’ve found that if they are distracted by a toy, book, or TV show, they tend to stay put more easily during the whole process.
3. Cutting your baby’s nails
Once you have your child relaxed as they can be, with their hand firmly in yours so they can’t manage to squirm away, you can begin clipping.
I like starting the nail clipper on one side of the nail and making my way to the other side, not worrying about taking too much at a time. Just gently push back their skin under the nails using your finger and wedge the nail clipper between the nail and skin to begin trimming.
If you need to get more nail, remember you can always go back to make sure they’re short enough and even. I found that this process doesn’t actually take too long and it has become a lot less stressful for both me and my children over time.
4. Repeat
I would recommend clipping your child’s nails at least once a week to keep them from getting too long. Those talons can get sharp!
Related: How to Give a Newborn a Bath
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