Painting baby's toenails

valstulas · February 2013

I was lurking on Feb's BMB bc it makes me happy to see all the birth stories

Anyways, I saw a thread on whether or not it is appropriate to use nail polish on a 5 mo's toes. Seems like posters were feeling pretty negatively about it.

Idk. I think if I find out I am Team Pink at my AS next week that I will be bringing a bottle of polish to the hospital with me. What do you think? Do I need a reality check?

CarlaAndJames · February 2013

id worry less about it on a newborn than a 5 month old. My 5 month old had her feet in her mouth half the time! If I did it, I'd make sure to use something nontoxic like piggy paints.

merc5411 · February 2013

I would never paint a newborn's toes. It's completely unnecessary and absurd.

sparkymcgeee · February 2013

Lol. You kind of do. I refused to paint my three month holds toes for a family photo and my sister flipped out. Fast forward none of the toes can be seen.
I don't think it's a good idea. Yes you can get non toxic polish but the toes are so tiny it seems silly. I would just stick to hairbows or bands. She'll definitely be girly enough.

TXwife9 · February 2013

I am personally not against it, but definitely use a nontoxic polish. I still have not ever painted DD's toes and she is 20 months old. She won't sit still long enough for me to hardly brush her hair, so there is no way she is letting me polish her toes!

valstulas · February 2013

merc5411:
I would never paint a newborn's toes. It's completely unnecessary and absurd.

Just for argument's sake, isn't painting nails at all unnecessary?

merc5411 · February 2013

valstulas:
merc5411:
I would never paint a newborn's toes. It's completely unnecessary and absurd.

Just for argument's sake, isn't painting nails at all unnecessary?

Absolutely. But I think there is a huge difference between an adult painting her own nails, and painting an infants nails. I'm sure it won't hurt anything, but IMO it is ridiculous.

stephyfaith · February 2013

The only use for painting a baby's toes that I find helpful is if you have multiples and have a hard time telling them apart... I knew someone who painted a toenail to tell her identical twins apart.

valstulas · February 2013

stephyfaith:
The only use for painting a baby's toes that I find helpful is if you have multiples and have a hard time telling them apart... I knew someone who painted a toenail to tell her identical twins apart.

Cute cute cute idea!

alli&dan · February 2013

TXwife9:
I am personally not against it, but definitely use a nontoxic polish. I still have not ever painted DD's toes and she is 20 months old. She won't sit still long enough for me to hardly brush her hair, so there is no way she is letting me polish her toes!

*sigh* This. I wish I had done it when she was a newborn.

KERJF · February 2013

My DD LOVES having her toes painted like mine now and will ask when Im doing my own. Though we use a non-toxic/no-smell sort of polish on her.

I wouldnt paint a newborns though. Or even a baby.

valstulas · February 2013

Thanks for all the input, ladies! I guess after three boys I just get lost in girly girl dreams, packed with frilly dresses, pierced ears, and painted nails.

luvmyducks · February 2013

I painted DD's toenails once. I think when she was about 9m old or so. And oh my goodness they were adorable!! Baby feet are so cute anyway, but with her little toenails pink they were just too cute to handle.

Another perfect example of me not understanding people's judgements abouth other parents. It doesn't hurt you or your kid so why does it matter?? Especially since it is nothing that will hurt the baby.

KikiCohen · February 2013

I barely paint my own nails, so I doubt I will worry much with DD's until she asks.

valstulas · February 2013

KikiCohen:
I barely paint my own nails, so I doubt I will worry much with DD's until she asks.

Oh, don't get me wrong. I only paint mine maybe three times a year. But you know how it is. Your kids will have a whole new wardrobe stocked with awesome clothes, and you're still wearing tattered stuff from college.

blairwitch · February 2013

missymr:
I'm not sure why you would paint a baby's nails
Because you're afraid nobody will know they are a girl ?
Don't pink clothes or headband do that?
I have heard some parents of identical twins have done it to one baby to help tell them apart but other than that I guess I just don't know why you would

You would be amazed...DD has had her ears pierced since 4mos...they were pink Sparkly flowers ... in her carseat with a big pink cover...with girly clothes on...still had someone say "isnt he cute"

PrimRoseMama · February 2013

I have a hard enough time doing a good job on my own feet let alone the nails of a small, wiggly little infant. I don't care if others want to do it, but seems like something fun to do later when she is old enough to pick her own colors or something.

I fully plan on taking DD with me when she gets to be 4 or 5 for a pedicure as a fun Mommy-daughter time.

Mrs JillB · February 2013

We'll be painting one of our boy's toenails so that we can hopefully tell them apart.

MLS0630 · February 2013

I did not paint DD's fingers/toes until she turned 2...for her birthday...as a special treat. Any earlier than that isn't necessary, there are bows, clips, tutus if you want to be girly.

valstulas · February 2013

theblairwitch01:
missymr:
I'm not sure why you would paint a baby's nails
Because you're afraid nobody will know they are a girl ?
Don't pink clothes or headband do that?
I have heard some parents of identical twins have done it to one baby to help tell them apart but other than that I guess I just don't know why you would

You would be amazed...DD has had her ears pierced since 4mos...they were pink Sparkly flowers ... in her carseat with a big pink cover...with girly clothes on...still had someone say "isnt he cute"

Lol! This does not surprise me at all. People are oblivious. I always got the "Boy or girl?" question for all my kids. I know it's not always as easy to tell with boys, but if a baby is wearing a shirt that says, "Mommy's Boy" on it, I imagine you'd assume.

merc5411 · February 2013

I just want to be clear. While I personally think its unnecessary and ridiculous, I don't in any way think someone who thinks its cute is a bad mom or endangering her baby. It's just my opinion and its not intended as judgement. We all have different thoughts on different things, and as long as you aren't harming anyone, do what you want.

OctGirl80 · February 2013

valstulas:
I was lurking on Feb's BMB bc it makes me happy to see all the birth stories Anyways, I saw a thread on whether or not it is appropriate to use nail polish on a 5 mo's toes. Seems like posters were feeling pretty negatively about it. Idk. I think if I find out I am Team Pink at my AS next week that I will be bringing a bottle of polish to the hospital with me. What do you think? Do I need a reality check?

I think you will be getting a lot of odd looks from the nurses. After giving birth, I was far more interested in snuggling my new little squishy than trying to paint tiny toenails. Also, DD's toenails are barely big enough to paint now. I think a newborn's toenails would be an exercise in futility.

je2161 · February 2013

I would never do it. A newborn is cute enough without it. I don't see the point.

valstulas · February 2013

OctGirl80:
valstulas:
I was lurking on Feb's BMB bc it makes me happy to see all the birth stories

Anyways, I saw a thread on whether or not it is appropriate to use nail polish on a 5 mo's toes. Seems like posters were feeling pretty negatively about it.

Idk. I think if I find out I am Team Pink at my AS next week that I will be bringing a bottle of polish to the hospital with me. What do you think? Do I need a reality check?
 
I think you will be getting a lot of odd looks from the nurses. After giving birth, I was far more interested in snuggling my new little squishy than trying to paint tiny toenails. Also, DD's toenails are barely big enough to paint now. I think a newborn's toenails would be an exercise in futility.

Nope, I work where I will deliver and with those nurses! They would be so so excited for me that I had a daughter, they would probably help me.

Lcoffin · February 2013

I didn't when my DD was a newborn but once she turned one she loves getting her nails painted. We use Piggy Paint so no smell. It's a great incentive for her to let me trim her nails.

JellyTwoPointO · February 2013

It's definitely not something I would do to an infant. Maybe a toddler. But not an infant.

valstulas · February 2013

Jellybean902:
It's definitely not something I would do to an infant. Maybe a toddler. But not an infant.

I've been getting a lot of this type of response, which is fine. But what I want to know is why?

Do people feel that it promotes gender stereotypes? Or that it is simply futile? Or that it sends a bad message to their daughters? That it's not age appropriate? Or is there a safety concern?

JCWhitey · February 2013

I've had friends do it. They all love Piggy Paint so I'd definitely check that out. I see nothing wrong with it.

PERSONALLY I put it in the same category as bows, tutus, and fluffy dresses. I'm not a fan. But I'm also a tom boy and not really into girly stuff. I may change my mind on all of this if B ends up being a girl and I fall into that "Girl Trap", but for now my registry is full of football onsies and through football season that's what my child, girl or boy, will be wearing.

Robi1 · February 2013

I would not do it. I don't mind the choices others make, but I personally aim to raise my child in a non-genderized way. I also would not pierce a girl's ears and I wouldn't dress her in hair bows or excessively gender specific clothing. Same with a boy. I'm happy to paint nails and pierce ears etc when my child is old enough to talk about it and make the decision for him/herself, but I won't do it on my own before then.

sparkymcgeee · February 2013

valstulas:
Jellybean902:
It's definitely not something I would do to an infant. Maybe a toddler. But not an infant.
I've been getting a lot of this type of response, which is fine. But what I want to know is why? Do people feel that it promotes gender stereotypes? Or that it is simply futile? Or that it sends a bad message to their daughters? That it's not age appropriate? Or is there a safety concern?

for me it's about the type of polish and whether or not they eat their toes. On an infant I think it's just futile because they are so itty bitty.

While I think it's a bit silly as long as you use nontoxic I don't see the harm really. Just seems silly.

JellyTwoPointO · February 2013

meimsx:
valstulas:
Jellybean902:
It's definitely not something I would do to an infant. Maybe a toddler. But not an infant.

I've been getting a lot of this type of response, which is fine. But what I want to know is why?

Do people feel that it promotes gender stereotypes? Or that it is simply futile? Or that it sends a bad message to their daughters? That it's not age appropriate? Or is there a safety concern?
for me it's about the type of polish and whether or not they eat their toes. On an infant I think it's just futile because they are so itty bitty.
While I think it's a bit silly as long as you use nontoxic I don't see the harm really. Just seems silly.  

Pretty much this. I mostly think its silly and petty. But there's also a safety issue.

Erinm278 · February 2013

I don't have a fundamental issue with it, but I would worry about baby putting her feet in her mouth.

jegoffin · February 2013

I painted dds nails when she was 5wo. I did it when she was sleeping and it was super cute. I've done it a handful of times since and will continue to. I love all things girl, hairbows, tutus and dresses and my dd will continue to be dressed as a girl until she asks otherwise.

valstulas · February 2013

redaero:
I don't know how you could possibly get a newborn to hold that still! Haven't you ever watched a postpartum nurse trying to do the PKU test on a newborn? The one where they do a heel prick, then have to fill up four circles on a lab slip with blood drops? I've done it several times myself, and it can be tough! Plenty of babies have a cow when you mess with their feet, they kick and curl up their toes and dang, those legs are stronger than they look! Sounds like a good way to wind up with nail polish all over the blankets, if you ask me.

As I mentioned earlier in this thread, I am a postpartum nurse, so I have done a PKU several times myself. The other day I got a set of handprints per request of the parents. THAT was difficult. But I have an advantage: I have time to wrap my baby and hold her foot while it dries bc I am her mother, not her RN. Also, I could wait for her to fall asleep, so that would make it easier, too.

ETA: I'm not even saying that this will be something I attempt, but I could always change my mind once I knew my kid's temperament. I've seen 5 lb babies who were so feisty that were almost as strong as I am, but I've also had kids sleep through their PKU's. If she pitches a fit, then I'd just abort the mission.

Daniyelli85 · February 2013

I think it is one of those things that you would just have to decide on your own and not let what other think change that. It is something harmless (especially with non-toxic paints) that is cute. I have seen some super cute newborn/baby pics on Pinterest where the baby's toe nails are painted.

kdubbz · February 2013

I painted my daughters toes at a couple months.... Never had an issue. She is now 2 (today) and had her first real pedicure and loved it.

Its your child its up to you to decide.

Mummyslove · February 2013

First time I painted DD toes was when she was potty training. She sat on the potty while I painted her toes and she peed.... She was fully trained with minimal accidents at 1.5years old... Since then it's only be a handful of times and usually just in the summer time. She's almost 4 now

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