How to trim a one year old's nails?

sunshinelove1

Now that my son is walking/running everywhere, I'm having a hard time getting him to sit still long enough for me to trim his nails, so I'm looking for some suggestions. What works for you? Thanks!

wedsept

Cut them when he is sleeping.

boogerbearoriginal

wedsept:

Cut them when he is sleeping.

This.

MrsEllis10

I usually put a game or a baby Einstein movie on my phone for her to hold while I do it.

Cherryblossoms07

I cut them early in the morning when he is still drowsy and not as resistant. 

cltk12

Booger+Bear:

wedsept:

Cut them when he is sleeping.

This.

This. If he falls asleep in the stroller or on one of us on a weekend I grab the clippers and do it then. 

aeh72

Cutting nails is generally a two person job in our house - DH holds while I clip.  DS is somewhat patient but gets really squirmy if I don't move fast enough. When I need to do it on my own, I do it in the highchair after DS has finished eating.

stemms8810

Do it while your rocking or snuggling with him before bedtime.  I know my LO is drowsy at that time and less likely to resist.

AudreyB113

I try to cut them when he is sleeping but it almost always ends up waking him up. The alternative is cutting as many as I can in spurts while he watches a Baby Einstein show or plays on my ipad.

Babybear70

I cut DS's nails while he is sleeping, but I don't do it with clippers. I actually use cuticle scissors. There is less chance of nicking his finger, plus I can round the edges really easy, and there is no clicking sound to wake him up either. I've done it this way since day 1.

oliversmommy32912

I usually sing a silly song while I do it. Old Mcdonald with some crazy animal noises works the best. If that won't work I turn on Yo Gabba Gabba.

blushingbride_08

Booger+Bear:

wedsept:

Cut them when he is sleeping.

This.

this is my only way 

baloneydisc

The only thing that works is while she's sleeping.

gracefulruby33

I could never cut them when she was sleeping. I cut them when she is strapped into her high chair. She hates it but I go as fast as I can. 

meg_2006

I do it while he's drinking a sippy cup of milk.  He holds the cup in one hand, I clip the other.  If not, hubby reads him a book while I do it.  

Dee1028

So far the fellas are still fascinated with the nail clippers so they sit nice and still and watch my every move. Then I let them hold the clippers for a little bit after they are done (nice reward, eh? HA!)

But ditto to what others said about doing it while he sleeps.

Mountaineers

I make a game out of it. I whisper,"hold still" then I clip one and act like it hits me in the eye. He laughs hysterically and he always holds still for the next one because he can't wait for it to happen again.

TobieRose

My LO has always acted like getting his nails cut is torture (he hates having his hands held), but lately I've discovered if I make lots of goofy sound effects (for example the scissors are an airplane swooping down to his hand) he'll let me cut one hand before he gets too mad. One hand is generally all I aim for in a nail-cutting session!

lindslalala

aeh72:

Cutting nails is generally a two person job in our house - DH holds while I clip.  DS is somewhat patient but gets really squirmy if I don't move fast enough. When I need to do it on my own, I do it in the highchair after DS has finished eating.

Same here. I hold DS and DH clips. And I am seriously amazed at how many people cut them while their LOs are asleep. That would wake up DS in a second.

sunshinelove1

Thanks for all the great ideas! I'm a little scared to try it when he is sleeping, but I will start there, and then try the other suggestions.  

vamomtobe

Mountaineers:

I make a game out of it. I whisper,"hold still" then I clip one and act like it hits me in the eye. He laughs hysterically and he always holds still for the next one because he can't wait for it to happen again.

 

aw, cute!! 

Ya Never Know

Toe nails I do while DD is eating breakfast and is distracted by the food. Finger nails are harder. I used to do them when she was sleeping but now there's too much of a risk that I'll wake her up. Now I just try to sit her down and go for it.. sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.