Nail Clippers vs. Files?

Alfie02 · May 2011

So I have been hearing conflicting information and I would love to get some BTDT advice. Should I use nail clippers or a nail file on my LO once she is here and if I use a nail file, do they make them especially for baby (like they do for clippers) or can I just use a regular one? Thanks!

calgal1683 · May 2011

I was too afraid to cut DS's nails when we got home, so DH did it. He said it was much easier to use the file. They sell little tiny ones in the baby section. Also, he would do it while DS was asleep, so much easier!

pregarella · May 2011

A friend of ours told us she felt alot better filing than clipping, because she was scared to use the clippers on those tiny fingers. We got the Zoli Buzz electric nail trimmer, it's made specifically for babies.

luvbeingmom · May 2011

most baby nail clippers come with some kind of baby file too

i personally have never filed baby's nails, i've just used the clippers... my poor first son was the only casualty of clipped fingers out of all my kids though... so i've had practice with tiny fingers...

COMomma81 · May 2011

Neither! I found using the little cuticle scissors was so much easier because you can actually see what you're doing. I still use them on DS and it is so quick and easy and never cut him or got them too low. I tried filing, but it took forever, and we both got annoyed. Not to mention filing gives me the heebie jeebies!

ETA: Whoops, sorry, I just realized I was on the wrong board. Sorry! Good luck June mommas!

PurdueMama14 · May 2011

I'm just a FTM so I don't have any advice one way or the other, but I bought a set that had the clippers, little baby nail files, and the scissors. It was cheap and I figured I'll be able to use whatever I feel most comfortable with once he's here!

Turtle143 · May 2011

filing

mari_gold · May 2011

I found clippers much easier to use. The best advice I got was to clip up (i.e., hold the finger up so you can angle the clippers up, rather than looking down on the nail and angling the clippers down) because it's much easier to raise the nail above the skin and avoid accidental nips.

pbj10 · May 2011

With my little brother the first few weeks we bit off the nails (what his pedi recommended) after we just used nail clippers. The file seemed to leave his nails very sharp and he would scratch himself.

marchmay · May 2011

pbj10:
With my little brother the first few weeks we bit off the nails (what his pedi recommended) after we just used nail clippers. The file seemed to leave his nails very sharp and he would scratch himself.

Yeah, I bit DD's nails for a long time.

musiscout · May 2011

A newborn care video I watched recommended filing with any file- baby or adult- for the first 6 weeks and then clip them twice a week after that.

luvbeingmom · May 2011

pbj10:
With my little brother the first few weeks we bit off the nails (what his pedi recommended) after we just used nail clippers. The file seemed to leave his nails very sharp and he would scratch himself.

caveman style!! lol

i like it!

aniceucchik · May 2011

We werent allowed to use a clipper in the hospital, which freaked me out so bad that I used the file for a long time! IMO, its so mush easier with the clippers, but if you are too nervous, then by all means the file will be fine. This time around I am much more comfortable, so I will be doing the clippers. I have little, sort of flimsy baby files that cam with the safety toiletry bag that we bought-the regular files may be too hard, IDK though.

mommy411 · May 2011

I bit DD's off for the longest time. They tear off easily, so when I BF I did it.

cherhop1 · May 2011

Both! In the beginning I was scared to use the clippers so I filed with a regular old emery board. Once I got comfortable with DS I used the baby clippers but his nails were so small and in the beginning their nail is attached to the skin underneath so you do sometimes snip the skin. Never seemed to hurt him but it bothered me!

Now they seem to grow so fast and DS won't let me near him with either. The only way I get them done is when he is laying down drinking his bottle. He's so relaxed he let's me clip em.

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