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Newborns sometimes scratch themselves with their tiny but very sharp nails. Prevent these wounds by keeping your baby's nails neat and short. Your baby's nails are soft, but they're sharp. A newborn can easily scratch his or her face — or yours. To avoid such mishaps, it's a good idea to trim those nails shortly after birth.
What you need
Soon after your baby is born — if not before — buy some infant nail clippers. They're smaller than adult clippers, with blades more rounded and dull. By using an infant nail clipper, you reduce the risk of accidentally cutting your baby's fingertip. Certain infant nail clippers even come equipped with tiny magnifying glasses to give you a better view of your baby's nails.
Because babies' nails are very sharp at birth, you may want to consider bringing an infant nail clipper or a small pair of manicure scissors to the hospital to use shortly after delivery. You may also want to bring along a few outfits that cover the hands and feet. These outfits are good not just for warmth, but also for protection from wayward fingernails.
How to trim your baby's nails
- It may sound easy, but wielding a sharp object anywhere in your baby's vicinity runs counter to basic parental instincts. Don't worry though; you'll get lots of practice because babies' nails grow fast. In fact, many babies need their fingernails trimmed at least once a week. You can do the job safely and painlessly in these three easy steps:
- Take hold of each finger (or toe) individually and push the top of the finger down so that the edge of the nail has no flesh under it. This will reduce the likelihood of a pinch or cut.
- Follow the natural shape of your baby's nail and round off any sharp edges. Cut toenails straight across.
- After trimming, check each nail to make sure it's smooth. Gently smooth rough edges with an emery board.
During the first six months of life, toenails grow more slowly than fingernails. Still, it's a good idea to periodically check for sharp or rough toenail edges that can get caught on blankets or clothing. As soon as your infant begins to wear shoes, you'll need to cut his or her toenails more often.
Trimming tips
Many babies have a difficult time holding still for even one minute, which can make trimming nails a frustrating job. To make nail trimming easier:
- Trim nails after your baby's bath when nails are softer and easier to cut.
- Wait until your baby is asleep.
- Have another person hold your baby while you trim the nails.
- Use a special toy to distract your baby during the procedure.
Because it takes less effort and it's less intimidating, some mothers trim their babies' nails by either gently biting or peeling the sharp nail ends off with their fingers. Don't worry — you won't rip the whole nail off.
If you cut too close
If you accidentally cut one of your baby's nails too short or nick the fingertip, apply gentle pressure with a clean cloth or bandage to stop the bleeding. Once the bleeding stops, dab on some antibiotic ointment (Neosporin, Polysporin, others) to prevent infection.
Article provided by www.mayoclinic.com
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