Hello!

I’m after tips on how best to cut my baby’s nails safely. She is starting to scratch herself but her hands are still so tiny (as she was born ten weeks early). And she is quite fidgety. I’m concerned I’ll end up hurting/cutting her.


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  • Make sure you have plenty of light, so you can see well.
    Work with someone else if it helps – one holds your baby as the other trims the nails.
    Gently pull your baby’s finger pad away from the nail to avoid cutting the skin.
    Trim toenails straight across to prevent ingrown nails.


  • First, get the baby nail clippers and put them in your pocket until she falls asleep in your arms. Then find the most comfortable spot for the two of you. You could lay her (wrapped in a receiving blanket) on the Kitchen counter and stand close beside her then carefully begin clipping. It’s important you have adequate lighting to see what you’re doing.
    If she starts to wake, stop until the next time she sleeps.


  • I use baby clippers which have a magnifying glass on them and try to get them done when he is super relaxed… even if I only get 2 done and then have a go another time :)


  • While they are sleeping or drunk up on milk!


  • I use baby nail clippers, at first I use to do it whilst I was breastfeeding but now I give him a toy to hold with one hand while I clip the other, keeps him distracted and he doesn’t worry about what I’m doing! :-)


  • i was gifted a set. i used scissors which is WAY easier to control when they have tiny little fingernails. it had the clippers and file and stuff, great little kit. do it when bub is sleeping.


  • I use the baby nail clippers. I find it easier to wait for her fall asleep and then cut them


  • We used baby nail clippers! It can be scary when you first do it I remember. Their hands are so small and precious.


  • We have baby nail clippers, they have a light and a safety bar over the top so you can’t cut all the way to their fingers, we love it!


  • I had this problem with my older kids and recently have this problem with my newborn too. I use baby nail clippers and always cut his nails after a bath when there really soft or wait until his asleep and gently do it then. It’s hard when their very little and start fidgeting, and doesn’t help that their nails seem to get long and sharp the day after you cut them.


  • if she is really little you can usually peel them off without clippers – other than that speak to a baby nurse who may cut them for you


  • I use baby nail clippers as they have a safety guard that stops from cutting too deep.


  • Have you tried using mittens on her hands? These are good to prevent scratches. I used to hold my babies very securely and snip. It would sometimes take 3 or 4 sittings, but I eventually got them all done


  • You can trim the nails very easily with scissors. My daughter used to scratch herself too, and I used to use cotton mittens.


  • I found the nails are so soft at this age that you can easily trim them after a bath. Also try a fine and gentle file on just the sharp bits when dry as this can be all that needed. Its such a common problem. Have you tried covering hands with baby mittens, or wrapping them under covers while baby sleeps? They do stop scratching themselves after a while and the problem decreases.

    How very precious your little one must be having been born premature.


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