Washington Babies
young toddlers and nail clipping
There is nothing in our house as terrible as a nail clipping. Screams bloody murder. Far far worse than getting shots. We used to have a little song that I'd sing and she'd sit there nicely and watch me clip away. Now she wiggles and squirms and even is able to avoid me in her sleep (rolls over and pulls her hands and feet under her body). She also doesn't have much of an attention span for tv so turning Sesame Street on isn't much help. I'm running out of ideas.
Does anybody have any suggestions for helping their toddler be okay with nail clipping?
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Re: young toddlers and nail clipping
Could you try rewarding the clipping with nail polish? Let her paint your toes when you are done with hers? Paint Daddy's toes?
Or switch to filing?
We gave a few m & m's after clipping. My kids would do anything for an small treat at that age. Not so much anymore. Now I give them both a big cuddle and the stern "Mommy is going to cut your nails now". Logan loves it because it is alone one on one mom time.
I always used to think clipping nails was difficult enough when they were little but when they become toddlers, it's a whole new monster to deal with! I'm only able to get 2, maybe 3 nails at a time, so I clip Payton's every couple of days. We sing songs and I usually have to bribe her with food too. Whatever it takes, right? Hang in there!
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We have the best luck in the morning when everyone is in a good mood - throw them into the high chair (with a tray so they don't watch it), give them breakfast and a video and start clipping.
I know you said a video wouldn't help, but doing it to yourself first is a good idea. Otherwise give her a new book on the high chair tray? Or have DH do bubbles or do the M & M's during, instead of after?
Maybe give her a pair of clippers to hold while you are doing the job?
I guess I'm lucky that Miss A likes to get them clipped and will sit still and watch. In fact, if she comes across clippers, she will sit and take off her shoes and socks and try to do it herself! lol
We do similar to this.
I think Tillman's not considered a toddler anymore, but he still hates getting his nails cut.
I'll cut one of mine, then one of his, then one of mine, etc. We also don't do both hands and both feet at the same time. We'll do one hand and then see how it's going. If it's not going well, we'll continue the next day. If it is going well, we'll do another hand/foot and then evaluate again.
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Great idea! Maybe I'll see if I can get this add on service from daycare.
I know she sits better for getting sunscreen on for them than for me. Makes sense that nails would be similar!
I don't get it either. She's finally at the age where we can usually convince her to do things she doesn't like. Putting on a hat or wearing her bike helmet for instance. She knows she has to wear them outside/on her bike and most of the time is very agreeable to it. My gut with her screaming was that it was a lack of control that was freaking her out. Supposedly the hands are very sacred at this age because they use them to explore their world and communicate. Whatever the reason, super frustrating because if I let them go too long she gets scratches on her face...
I was going to say that our daycare provider does his toenails and fingernails and says he is perfect for them...whereas he will put up a fight for us. But he eats, sleeps, and does timeout better at daycare so it doesn't surprise me either