It may seem like a simple everyday task, but taking a sharp object to your squirmy baby's teeny nails can certainly be intimidating. Thankfully, there are certain strategies to make the routine less worrisome. Here are some great tips from three pediatricians and five moms who've figured out how to clip baby's nails without tears.
Be careful not to leave any sharp edges
"Use a scissor or nail clipper that is specifically designed for babies. It is easiest to cut the nails after the bath when they are a little softer. Hold your baby upright in your lap with their back up against your chest for stability. Hold your baby's hand stable with one of your hands, and then clip with your free hand. Place the cutting edge of the scissor or clipper under the nail gently, and cut the nail along the curve of the nail edge, making sure to not leave any sharp edges. For toenails, you can repeat the same technique, but cut the nail straight across. Fingernails grow fast in newborns. They often need to be cut several times a week! Toenails need trimming a little less frequently."
— Dr. Dori Anchin, pediatrician at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital, a member of the Westchester Medical Center Health Network, Valhalla, New York
File the baby's nails in the first few months
"Pediatricians usually ask parents to file nails in the first few months of life. The nails grow very quickly so they often need to be filed every few days. Parents can also put socks or gloves on the fingers and toes to protect the baby's face from scratching. There are also newborn onesies that have gloves attached."
— Dr. Robin Jacobson, pediatrician at Hassenfeld Children's Hospital at NYU Langone, New York, NY
Wait until the baby is asleep
"My aunt swore by waiting until the baby was asleep. This worked well with the first, but by the fourth kid, we just tag-teamed it — with my husband doing his best to entertain/distract while I cut as quickly as possible."
— Naomi Naughton, mom of four
Use safety clippers with a light attached
"Safety clippers. The ones that have a light attached are helpful!"
— Bonnie Gonzalez, mom of two
Trim only the white part of the nails
"Trim only the white part of the nails, sliding the clipper gently underneath the nail and making small clips."
— Dr. Hannah Chow, pediatrician and codirector of the Loyola Center for Health at North Riverside, IL
Keep them distracted
"When she was really small, it was easiest to do it when she was asleep. Once she got older, we had to distract her with books. Sometimes we could only get to a couple fingers at a time and the job would take all day! I definitely recommend using a baby nail clipper."
— Cathlene Yapyuco Wong, mom of two
After bath time when nails are soft
"Do it gently after bath when nails are soft still."
— Mahati Ramya, mom of two
Don't go too deep
"Don't go too deep. They have sensitive skin and they will not express their discomfort."
— Anonymous, dad of two
