Hopefully your journey as a parent has brought you a sense of excitement, purpose and responsibility.  But even the most capable of parents have paused at the thought of cutting their little one’s nails.  Determining what tool to use, the best approach, and how often to trim those delicate little digits can give any parent a little anxiety.  This guide will take any guesswork out and leave you feeling confident to safely trim your baby’s nails.  It’ll also let you know what to do in the event you accidentally cut your baby’s finger.

When to Start

Whether you noticed the length of your baby’s nails or discovered mysterious scrapes on her body, one thing is for certain; baby nails are sharp and the time has come to keep them trimmed so they can’t hurt your baby…or you.  Usually during a baby’s second or third month of age is when you’ll notice that their nails starting to gain length.  It’s important to note that fingernails grow faster than toenails and all babies are different so your timeline may vary.

What Product to Use

There are a few different solutions out there and luckily, each is made at a smaller scale specifically to deal with your baby’s tiny nails with precision.

• Clippers/Trimmers: They’re made with a narrower cutting edge. Some are made with a larger handle for comfort while others may feature a magnifying glass or LED light or visibility.  
• Scissors: Most feature dull blades with rounded edges to prevent inadvertent cuts.
• Files: Miniature emery boards. Additionally, there are several electronic products specifically for filing baby nails. 

In any instance stick to the equipment made specifically for babies.  Test out a few different products (in your hand) to determine which feels most comfortable yet controllable to use. 

While some parents suggest using adult nail clippers, we advise against it as the metal clipper edges are thicker and may cause you to cut lower than anticipated.  Baby-sized items are safer for the tiny fingers and toes they were designed for. 

How to Go About It

Find yourself a comfortable and well-lit area to ensure proper visibility.  If you wear glasses or contacts to see close up, be sure to use them.  Also – do this away from any bedding or seating.  More on this later. 

With your baby’s finger between your thumb and index, gently create a slight bit of space for you to confidently position the clipper end or scissors over the edge of the nail only.  For fingernails, make precise cuts, in about two or three steps at most.  Toenails should only require one cut straight across as they’re less round in shape.   

Be sure not to cut the nails too short because with your baby’s impressive rate of growth, you’ll be doing this again in a matter of weeks and you definitely do not want to risk any injury to them.

Here’s what you do if you accidentally cut your baby’s finger. 

1. Run cold water over the finger to the rinse off the blood or gently wipe the finger a wet towelette
2. Using cloth or gauze, apply slight pressure to the area until the bleeding stops. If you use a tissue or napkin make sure it does not stick to the finger.
3. Relax, it happens more than you think. In couple of minutes the bleeding will stop.  Do not use a bandage as it could become a choking hazard if it comes off.

Sleeping Baby vs. Wide Awake

Some parents wonder if this manicure can be done while their baby is asleep. If you’re that confident in your baby’s ability to sleep unperturbed, then go for it.  Otherwise, the benefit of her seeing you perform this task is that she may become accustomed to it and thus make it easier for you to complete as she grows. 

Another thing some people forget when it comes to trimming nails is to ensure that they collect and dispose of all the clippings.  Clipped nails can easily take flight or disappear and wind up embedded in carpet, blankets or any surfaces where you keep your baby.  This is why we recommend cutting your baby’s nails while they’re awake and away from their sleeping area.

Confidence is Key

While cutting or filing your baby’s nails, be confident, efficient but also careful.  Choose the method you feel most comfortable with and don’t be afraid to try a new method to achieve better results.  Also, in case you were wondering, do not bite your baby’s nails.  Biting the nails could leave them jagged and potentially sharper than they were prior to being cut.  There will be plenty of time in the future to playfully nibble on their little nubbies but for now, the task at hand is to keep them safe.  You got this!