How Do You Clip a Baby's Nails?!

Updated on April 09, 2009
S.S. asks from Orem, UT
12 answers

I was trying to clip my baby's nails using one of the little baby clippers and their fingers are so tiny anyway, but I suck at clipping her nails. She's a little squirmy and hates having her nails clipped because every time I do it, I cut at least one of them too close and it bleeds! I feel bad, I don't mean to do that! Today, she screamed for like 5 minutes, is there some easier way to clip a baby's nails, what are some opinions out there? Thanks moms!

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S.S.

answers from Denver on

I try to do my children's nails when they are getting tired. I have found that works best to avoid the squirming. As for cutting too close, it takes practice to clip the nails perfectly so the more you do it the better you will get.

Have a GREAT day!

S.

More Answers

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A.S.

answers from Denver on

Let DH do it. You go do your own nails :-)

When she gets older call it 'salon time' and clip, file and paint nails together.

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K.D.

answers from Denver on

None of my kids would sleep through getting their nails cut. I used the clippers with the big handles and a magnifying glass. I don't remember where we got them, but I think it was at Target in a baby care kit. I don't think we used anything else that came with them, but it was still worth the money. I never liked the magnifying glass, but the big handles did help. Practice helps, too, so you'll get there some day. I always cut my first son's fingers, but in 9 months, I've only cut my daughter's once. So I guess, by the time you have your third you'll be pretty good, too. :) Maybe that will happen someday, but I'm sure you're not ready to think about it at this time. So, I hope you get lots of good advice. Congratulations!

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C.C.

answers from Salt Lake City on

I usually bit my baby's off (sounds terrible but they are so fragile at that time they come off pretty easy)
my sister would clip them when she came over that was always nice.
and like you read already...sleeping babies don't fight. hehe.

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R.E.

answers from Denver on

I use safty nail sissors. They were easier for me to use then clippers on finger nails. Clippers work better on toe nails. And as everyone else suggests wait til they are sleeping.

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R.

answers from Fort Collins on

What worked best for me was to hold her in my lap and cut them so that way it was easier to see if I was cutting too close. I still do it that way and she's now eight.

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B.

answers from Boise on

An emory board works well too!

S.K.

answers from Denver on

wait until they are asleep, it makes it TONS easier!!!

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T.S.

answers from Salt Lake City on

I kept clippers in my diaper bag and would clip them when they are sleeping in the car. I wouldn't want to risk them waking up if I was at home and tired. If I didn't mind, then I would clip them when I thought it was close to them waking up!

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K.D.

answers from Denver on

I didn't even use baby clippers in the beginning. I would just file them because it was so much easier for me. When I did start using clippers I would do it while they were sleeping. Now we watch Baby Einstein DVDs while they get their nails clipped. It keeps their attention and they don't even notice I'm cutting their nails.

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D.K.

answers from Denver on

Go get infant clippers which have a guard on them so you can only cut so much. Also wait until they are in the bath, the nail that needs cut will soften and turn very white. that way you know what you are doing. Get some bath toy hand them it in one hand and get the other hand while they are distracted. I still do this for my kids with toenails as they are often hard to see where it isn't going to be cut too short. Make it a game and let her pretend to trim yours too.

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K.C.

answers from Denver on

My kids were squirmy, too, and I drew blood from my son the first time I tried to cut his nails (talk about feeling like a bad parent!) So instead, I used to wait until the babies were asleep, then clip them or file them down. Sometimes, I could peel them right off because the nails are so tiny and thin, then file. But always, always while they were fast asleep.

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