How and when to cut nails of a newborn baby

When should you start cutting your newborn's nails?

Not all new parents know how to cut a newborn’s nails. Most pediatricians recommend starting a week after birth. At birth, the nail plate of all children is soft and flexible; some are born with already quite long nails, while others grow them back during the first days of life.

The recommendation of pediatricians not to do any manicure manipulations for some time after birth is associated with the risk of injuring the child, and thereby introducing any infections. As they grow, brittle nails will break off on their own.

However, there is also no need to wait too long - untimely trimming can lead to an overgrown nail growing into the outer phalanx of the finger, that is, leaving wounds that will be difficult for the baby’s fragile body to cope with. Also, timely trimming of overgrown nails will eliminate the possibility of the nail plate becoming in the wrong position.

If your baby’s nails from the first days of life are long enough to scratch him, you need to purchase “scratchers.” These are small pouch-shaped gloves that fit on a child's hand and prevent the child from scratching himself.

Neurologists do not advise leaving a child in them constantly, especially for a long period of time, since from the first weeks of life the baby develops a grasping reflex. He takes in his hand his parents' fingers and small toys that can fit in his palm.

If you do not cut his nails for a long time and instead constantly put on scratches, the child will not be able to develop these important reflexes in a timely manner, and will not have the opportunity to explore the world around him.

The optimal time for cutting a newborn's nails will be the 2nd week of his life, for example, after his first full bath at home. Until this point, scratches can be used.
A timely procedure carried out in compliance with hygienic rules will not only not harm the child, but will also help in the development of his reflexes.

How to trim

When starting a manicure, pay attention to how you hold the scissors or clippers. Place the tools so that the blades are perpendicular to the nail, this reduces the risk of damaging the skin on the finger.

Pediatricians and manicurists advise how to properly perform procedures for babies. The shape of the top cut of the nails on the hands after a manicure should be semicircular, slightly protruding beyond the nail plate. On the legs, the nails are cut in an even line.

Do not cut your nails to the very root and do not make sharp corners. Leave a tiny gap that follows the natural shape of the nail, otherwise it will be painful for the baby, hangnails or even inflammation may appear.

Take the tiny palm in your hand, fix the small finger with your thumb, hold it firmly, but not painfully. Use your finger to slightly push back the skin around the nail and carefully begin trimming away the excess.

How to properly perform a manicure procedure

A newborn's nails grow very quickly; a manicure procedure will need to be done approximately once every 3 days. To do this, you should use special tools and stock up on hydrogen peroxide or chlorhexidine solution. This will help minimize injuries during the process and avoid any possible consequences.

Some parents, despite the existence of special tools, prefer to simply bite off the thin nails of a newborn. It is categorically not recommended to do this, since, in addition to the risk of transmitting microbes from your mouth to your child, the “cut” of the nail turns out to be uneven, and the whole point of the procedure is reduced to a minimum.

How not to scare your baby

Resourceful parents know how to trim a newborn’s nails without harming him. They advise doing this while he is sleeping.

At this moment, the baby is most calm and will not experience discomfort. The parent needs to grab the child's wrist with such force as to avoid possible sudden movement of the hand, but also not to wake him up with strong pressure. This way, you can expect your baby to stay awake and his nails to be trimmed.

Another suitable time for the procedure may be during feeding. The child will be as relaxed as in sleep, which will make work much easier. A nursing mother alone will not be able to cut his nails at this moment; this will require two adults.

It is very convenient to cut the nails of a newborn baby during nap time

It is better to hold the child's finger between your index finger and thumb. This way you can move the fingertip and securely fix the baby’s hand. This method makes it easier for parents and protects the baby from cuts. Optimal nail shape

The baby's nail should be smooth so as not to leave marks on the skin or cling to tissue. You need to trim the nail by about a millimeter, and in no case to the root. The optimal length is along the line of the fingertip or slightly longer. If after cutting there are sharp corners left, they should be filed using a soft file.

On the hands the nail shape must be oval, and on the feet it must be square. That is, the fingers on the hands need to be cut in a semicircle, but on the feet an even cut is sufficient. This rule will prevent ingrown nails. You can make an even cut only with the help of special tools with well-sharpened blades.

Removing hangnails

If hangnails often appear on your fingers, the main thing is to prevent your baby from chewing them off with his teeth. If you don’t have a suitable tool at hand, you can first cover your finger with a band-aid. You need to remove hangnails correctly. Before cutting off a hangnail, it is recommended to treat the skin with a disinfectant, and after the procedure, be sure to lubricate the plate with baby cream.

What to do if you accidentally hurt your finger

Most parents, at one time or another, have encountered the fact that due to an unsuccessful movement, they injured their baby’s finger during a manicure procedure. There is nothing wrong with this if you follow a number of rules.

The first and basic rule is the sterility of the instruments used for manicure. They must be treated with alcohol before the procedure and be strictly individual for each child. The second rule is to properly treat the cut area.

There is a simple algorithm for this:

1. The first step is to apply a sterile material (cotton, cotton pad or bandage) to the wound for a few seconds to provide slight pressure and stop the bleeding.
2. Next, when the bleeding stops, you need to treat the cut site with a disinfectant solution. It is better to choose drugs that do not contain alcohol, for example, Chlorhexidine or Furacilin.
3. If the wound was deep enough, you can apply a bandage with a healing ointment, for example, Bepanten, to your finger.

Provided that such cuts are repeated infrequently, young children will quickly forget minor painful sensations, and the wound will quickly heal.

How to cut nails of newborns

Trimming nails with minimal risk and maximum comfort is possible only with the help of special tools for newborns; they look like an adult manicure set. However, they have a number of significant differences, such as size, handle length and protection from sharp corners.

Manicure set for baby includes:

• baby tongs;
• scissors with rounded edges;
• file with soft coating;
• alcohol solution.

All instruments are smaller in size than their adult counterparts. Nippers should be used for the initial cutting of the required surface of the nail; with the help of scissors, you can adjust the shape of the plate, make it rounded on the hands and straighter on the legs; in addition, such scissors do not have sharp ends.

In order not to injure the nail, it is recommended to use a file no more than 2 times a month to correct the shape.

Preliminary disinfection of instruments should not be neglected. This will protect the child in case of cuts and will destroy germs on tools.

Using an adult manicure set is more likely to harm your baby. Using loose scissors and large pliers can cut, prick or damage your fingers even more seriously.

Manicure set for baby. Rules for choosing tools, best manufacturers, prices

The developers of special manicure sets for babies know how to cut a newborn’s nails as often as necessary, and not turn each procedure into torture. You need to cut your nails several times a week, so tools for baby manicure are included in the list of mandatory purchases before the birth of your baby.

The market offers not only ordinary pliers and scissors with rounded edges, but also models with an enlarged handle for ease of use, with a magnifying glass and even with LED lighting. Among all the variety, you need to choose tools that will be easy to use and as safe as possible for the child.

You can buy the whole set, or purchase suitable tools individually. Nippers and scissors should be sharp enough to cut the nail and not tear it off.

The file should be chosen as soft as possible, the coarseness of the spray can be increased as the child grows, and it should be used, especially in the first months of the child’s life, no more than a couple of times a month.

There is no need to rely on the cost of the tool. If possible, before purchasing, you should evaluate the size of the ring on the scissors and the length of the handle on the tongs. They must be suitable for the person who will be performing the manicure procedure, because with an inconvenient tool it is much easier to cut a child.

When choosing the blade size on scissors, it is better to give preference to models with a thinner cutting surface. This will allow you to control the process of cutting your nails.

The main advantage of the set is that by purchasing it, parents can immediately try different tools and decide which is more convenient for them to work with. Also, the kits are usually sold in protective cases for storage. This will help you always keep them at hand and protect you from dust.

Kits often include not only scissors, pliers and a file, but also a soft-bristled brush for cleaning your fingers after filing your nails. It is unlikely to be useful in caring for the nails of a newborn, but you can start using it when the baby grows up.

It is better to choose a manufacturer who also creates other products for newborns.

A wide range of products and tools suggests that the brand has a comprehensive approach to the production of children's goods. The big brands have a certain reputation that they follow, a research base, quality assurance and a wide selection.

If, after purchasing a manicure accessory, parents realize that this particular product is inconvenient for them to use, then it is better to put it aside for the future and buy another one. This will help you feel more comfortable, and will protect your baby from possible cuts.

Why you shouldn't neglect cutting your nails

Cutting nails is a mandatory hygienic procedure for a newborn. In the first months of life, babies' nails grow very quickly; the procedure will have to be repeated every 3-5 days.

If you do not cut your child’s nails for a long time, they will quickly begin to cause him discomfort, they will scratch and break off on their own in uneven lines.

Despite the fact that their nails are very thin and soft, they can seriously scratch the face of the baby and parents. These problems are solved by putting scratch pads on the baby's hands.

However, neurologists strongly recommend leaving this item of clothing only for the first days of his life and for the baby's sleep time. Since while awake, the newborn actively explores the world, including by grasping objects of interest to him with his pen.

An untimely manicure can result in other problems. By 4-6 weeks of life, a baby’s nails become stronger and can grow into the skin, injuring it and causing inflammation. This will cause pain and discomfort to the baby. Such wounds do not always go away quickly; in some cases, treatment requires the help of a pediatrician.

At what age can you cut your nails?

Parents often don’t know when and how to cut their little toddler’s nails. Pediatricians strongly recommend not cutting them during the first 2 months of life, despite their length. The first nails break off on their own. To prevent the baby from scratching himself, parents should put so-called “scratchies” on him. However, it is also impossible to leave long nails, because over time the plate will become distorted and the shape will become unsightly. Neurologists do not support pediatricians, and advise cutting nails for the first time when the child is 2 weeks old.

Nail problems in newborns

Not every parent knows how to cut a newborn’s nails correctly. Sometimes this can be a difficult task because their skin is delicate and susceptible to any external manipulation.

About a week after birth, you should think about cutting your nails for the first time. During and after the procedure, various problems may arise, knowing about which in advance, it is possible to minimize the risk of their occurrence.

Improper care

Improper care primarily includes neglecting the rules for processing instruments. A large number of bacteria accumulate on scissors and tweezers, which, even with a minor cut, can cause inflammation and begin the process of suppuration.

To avoid this, you must always follow several rules:

• All tools used to trim nails must be treated with an antiseptic before and after the procedure.
• Scissors, tongs and files should be stored in a dust-free, dry place.
• One child - one set of tools. For a baby, only a tool that is intended only for him is suitable; you cannot use it to cut the nails of another child, and especially an adult.
• Before the procedure, you need to wash your hands with soap or treat them with an antiseptic.
• If a child cuts himself during the procedure, the wound site should be treated with an antiseptic and, if necessary, a bandage with healing ointment should be applied.

A long absence of manicure is also undesirable. Gradually, the nail will break off on its own, forming an uneven sharp line. This leads to the baby scratching himself. Since a newborn cannot yet fully control his movements, he will sometimes scratch himself. Such wounds can be quite serious and painful.

Ingrown nail

Ingrown nails into the periungual fold most often occur due to incorrect choice of nail shape. An oval cut should be made on the arms, and a straight cut on the legs. With this problem, the direction of plate growth changes. It is best to solve it, especially if the ingrowth was not noticed immediately, with the help of a doctor.

Most often, newborns have ingrown toenails because it is not always possible to give the small nail plate the required length and shape.

If the nail has not yet grown in much, you can direct the growth of the plate yourself. You should first steam your legs and carefully straighten them using the same nail scissors.

In any case, before visiting a doctor and before performing any manipulations on your own, you need to apply antimicrobial lotions with an antiseptic and smear your fingers with antimicrobial ointments.

Causes of ingrown nails: treatment methods

Improper care of the nail plate leads to its subsequent ingrowth. Many solve the problem by cutting off the protruding edge. However, this does not guarantee that the problem will not occur again.

Surgery or laser therapy helps get rid of the problem, but the newborn tolerates these methods very painfully. To maintain the beauty and health of your nails, you need to take proper care of them, starting from birth. This is the only way the plate will acquire a beautiful shape and the nails will look healthy.

Tips for caring for nails in newborn babies

Before you start cutting your newborn's nails, you need to buy the necessary tools and follow a few tips:

• For the procedure you will need scissors with rounded ends, children's tongs, a soft-coated file and an antiseptic (alcohol for instruments and without alcohol for treating possible cuts).
• Even before the baby is born, you can try cutting the nails of other family members. This will give young parents more confidence in their actions.
• The child should have his own manicure kit, stored in a dry place in a case or other protective device.
• Before and after each nail trimming procedure, tools must be disinfected.
• It is better to throw away dull scissors. If you try to sharpen them again, you can change the angle of the blade, which will lead to cuts.
• The best time to trim newborns' nails is during sleep or feeding.
• Cuts during this procedure are not uncommon, so you should always keep hydrogen peroxide or chlorhexidine nearby.
• If your child becomes capricious while cutting his nails, it is better to take a break for an hour or more.
• The frequency of cutting depends on the rate of nail growth - on average, it is once every 3-5 days. To delay the procedure for a day, you can put scratches on your child’s hands. But you shouldn’t use this method too often.
• Fingernails should be cut into an oval shape, and toenails should be cut into a square.

Trimming a child's nails is not an easy task. Especially when it comes to a newborn. During the procedure, care must be taken not to damage the child’s skin and not cause him unnecessary anxiety.

With the help of properly selected tools and knowledge of manicure rules, this process will become just an ordinary hygienic procedure.

Preparation for the procedure

Not all children like this procedure, so a lot of effort needs to be made to get the child ready for it.

Tips from moms:

1. You cannot carry out the trimming procedure if the child is nervous, screaming, crying. We need to find out the reason for this behavior. It is advisable to start cutting hair at a time when the child is in a good mood.
2. If the baby doesn’t want to, you can’t tell him all sorts of horror stories and scare him, otherwise he will completely refuse the procedure.
3. You can turn on a cartoon. Perhaps this method is considered the most effective, because the child looks closely at the screen and is distracted from the procedure.

Before you start cutting your nails, you need to disinfect your manicure set.