help - cutting newborn nails

kimarino13 · March 2010

Pretty sure someone will call CPS on me if they see my kids' faces. How did you cut your newborn's nails? Clippers? Scissors? Tearing? I am so afraid to cut them, but this is what happens when I don't.

And poor Lily has two scratches under her eye.

JustaKidAtHeart · March 2010

There is a baby nail file you can get and use if you are afraid of the clippers. I use and have always used clippers. when they were small i would put the clipper on then tilt it down so I wouldnt cut fingers.

oct11bride03 · March 2010

We used a nail file for the first few months, but it never did a great job. I recently started using the clippers and so far I've only had one incident (word of warning - finger cuts bleed A LOT!) Just make sure to take your time. Hold each finger steady and before clipping check to make sure you just have nail in the clipper.

I tend to do it when she's already crying so I don't feel bad about making her cry.

AvaLikeLava · March 2010

I use baby clippers. The nail file made me want to scream. I just cut his nails while he nursed -- it's when he was calmest.

schmoodle · March 2010

I bite his off. I don't care if it's gross, it's what works. I've done it since he was a newborn (and he's almost 9 month now). I tried the clippers a couple times around 7 months and after clipping his finger and it bled all night and his pajamas looked like a crime scene, I'm back to biting them off. I filed once too but biting is WAY faster.

krissyh21 · March 2010

I use a file he never keeps his hands still so I am super afraid of cutting him.

CardsfanSM · March 2010

I filed for about a month and then went to clippers. I do it when she's napping, in a bright spot so I don't have to squint to see what I'm doing.

MBandBud · March 2010

We were just told last night in our L&D class to either file or break them manually as if you were to break your own. Of course, there is always mittens, but I could see that getting old 24/7.

Littlemac4 · March 2010

I used a nail file in the begining. Now I use clippers, I find it easier to sit behind them and cut like I am cutting my own rather than face on.

lckytabby3 · March 2010

I use nail scissors I find it easier to see that I just have nail in there to be cut. I do it while she is sleeping in my arms.

Marc's Mrs. · March 2010

I used to help my sister with this when my nephews were little. I used clippers and always did it while they were asleep. They weren't wiggling around then. If there were still sharp edges, I'd follow up with a nail file.

firsttogo · March 2010

schmoodle:
I bite his off. I don't care if it's gross, it's what works. I've done it since he was a newborn (and he's almost 9 month now). I tried the clippers a couple times around 7 months and after clipping his finger and it bled all night and his pajamas looked like a crime scene, I'm back to biting them off. I filed once too but biting is WAY faster.

Glad Schmoodle said it first! I do this too, but also I have found that the safety first baby nail scissors with the rounded end, and white handle work well.

Clippers don't even get used in our house.

duke'sgirl · March 2010

firsttogo:

schmoodle:
I bite his off. I don't care if it's gross, it's what works. I've done it since he was a newborn (and he's almost 9 month now). I tried the clippers a couple times around 7 months and after clipping his finger and it bled all night and his pajamas looked like a crime scene, I'm back to biting them off. I filed once too but biting is WAY faster.

Glad Schmoodle said it first! I do this too, but also I have found that the safety first baby nail scissors with the rounded end, and white handle work well.

Clippers don't even get used in our house.

I'm a biter myself. And I do it while he's asleep or nursing, so he's calmer!

MBandBud · March 2010

schmoodle:
I bite his off.

In truth, this is what we were told to do in class. I thought this was a little odd so I didn't mention it, so it is great to hear it validated here. Thanks Schmoods!

kimarino13 · March 2010

I'm not afraid to bite them at all! They just still seem so tiny. Or maybe I have a big mouth. Wink

muppet.fan · March 2010

AvaLikeLava:
I use baby clippers. The nail file made me want to scream. I just cut his nails while he nursed -- it's when he was calmest.

Ditto. If I do it while she nurses, she hardly even notices!

scally · March 2010

I use cuticle scissors. They are much thinner and easier to see what you are doing. The baby scissors are so thick it is hard to see the nail and the clippers just looked too hard to maneuver around tiny nails. And for some reason I could never bite the nails off...they were too soft or something.

They works for us! Good luck!

laura1 · March 2010

Littlemac4:
I used a nail file in the begining. Now I use clippers, I find it easier to sit behind them and cut like I am cutting my own rather than face on.

Ditto this! I preferred the file, but then switched to clippers around 2-3 months. Just a little fyi - DON'T use the clippers with the magnifier - they seem helpful, but one of the first times I used them I clipped DS's finger. They don't allow for depth perception! It looked like I was clipping the nail, but I totally missed and got his skin. GL - I still hate cutting nails!