How to clip the fingernails?

desertmouse39

I've been able to clip LO's nails in the past when she was sleeping in the car seat - out running errands, coming home from work/daycare, etc...  But she has not been napping in the car lately and absolutely will NOT let me near her fingers with those clippers for anything.  I've tried while she is watching a TV show, while calm and snuggling on the couch.. no luck.  Those nails are long and gross and dangerous!  How do you get to trim your toddler's nails?  She is 16 months.

acbfreire

DD watches music videos on my lap. It is the only way.

vintagejjane

I file them mostly. She thinks it's funny, but if I bring out the clippers, she freaks out.

kalette

I give her a Popsicle to hold in one hand while I trim the other. It always works (so far) because she is so focused on wanting to eat the popsicle as fast as she can.

oliversmommy32912

I sing a funny song with lots of noises and facial expressions. Works when he is screamy/kicky during diaper changes, too.

Meery82

Ah, mine smiles and holds up a finger for me. (Sorry, had to brag for a second.)

jnnfrrose6

I put DS in my lap facing out and basically bear hug him from behinds while I clip them.  I talk to him while doing it, counting down and naming the fingers as he goes.  He gets squirmy towards the end, but I'm usually able to get it done.

&orchid&

A good cartoon during music time. He loves music and puppets. I sit behind him and do it as its more natural for me to clip them like thay are mine because it speeds up the process.

DawnLilly

DS is not easily distracted. DH holds him while I quickly cut them.

HollyBee013

I bribe mine with choo choo soul music time!

desertmouse39

Alright, thanks for the input and suggestions!

KLarsCWU

I'm slightly ashamed to admit this, but I've never done it while he's awake. I do it soon after he falls asleep for the night, and have been for almost 21 months!

DLo13

I find the little child/baby scissors much easier (on both of us!) than a clipper.  I do it right before bed while we're in the glider reading books.  She's mellow and calm then. 

AlmostMrsI

I used to keep my clippers in the car for when he fell asleep in his carseat.  That was the only time I could do it for a very long time.  Then after that stopped working, I started out with his toenails while he was strapped in the high chair (now booster seat ) and I act like it's something fun when we "clippy clip" his nails.

After a month or so he started letting me do his hands too--as long as I keep saying "clippy clip" in a sing song voice.  I look/sound ridiculous, but it works for us...until he tries to take the clippers from me--then we're done for the day.

mandm329

I used cuticle clippers (pediatrician's suggestion) and put DS in his high chair in front of the TV.  He is so into TV that he doesn't even notice what I'm doing.

Tapthathank

We go outside and sit on the front step, I sit DS on my lap facing out and he watches people in the neighborhood or if a car happens to drive by. 

Or sometimes after a bath when he is lying on his changing table, I will hand him the wipes container to hold in one hand while I work on the other hand.

His toes are another story - he squirms - he is so tickelish!

greyt00

Both my kids hate me touching their feet.  Even in his high chair, DS2 immediately pulls away when I get near his feet.  Clipping toe nails requires 2 people, pretty much.  One to clip and the other to TRY to hold the foot still.  Fingernails are hit and miss.  Sometimes DS2 will be still, sometimes not.  I say "snip snip snip!" in a silly voice over ad over.  This worked for DS1 for a very long time.  He thought it was hilarious.  Now he has to be pinned down.  Thank heaven their toenails grow slow.  They are a b**** to trim.