|
It is important to use baby nail scissors when trimming your baby's nails. Baby nail scissors are safer to use than larger adult nail clippers. The scissors are small, fairly blunt and have rounded tips so that you do not risk poking or seriously cutting your child while clipping their nails. The following 7 tips on using baby nail scissors to clip your baby's nails.
First give your baby a bath.
Your baby's nails will be soft and easier to trim after a bath. It is best to give your baby a bath right before bedtime so that you can cut their nails while they are sleeping.
Wait until your baby is asleep.
It is important to keep your baby from squirming too much while you are clipping their nails. If your baby jerks their hand or foot while you are clipping you could easy rip their nail or poke them with the scissors. This is why it is easiest to wait until your baby is asleep before trimming their nails. Their limbs will be limp and their hands will be open and relaxed. Make sure to be quiet and gentle so that you do not wake them.
Seek out a partner.
If your baby keeps waking up while you attempt to clip their nails, enlist a partner to help you gently hold your baby still while you clip their nails with a baby nail scissors. Your baby may resist but it is important that you are persistent in clipping their nails. If you aren’t, your baby will cut and scratch themselves with their long nails.
Hold your baby's hand or foot steady as you trim each nail.
Use one hand to gently steady your baby's arm or foot while you use the other to trim their nails with baby nail scissors. Trim from one side to the other, across the length of the nail.
Don't trim too short
It is best to leave a little white on the nail when using baby nail scissors. This eliminates the risk of cutting too close to the skin and accidentally pinching or cutting your baby's skin.
Trim often
Baby nails grow fast through toddlerhood so you will need to cut their nails weekly in order to prevent them from scratching or hurting themselves or others.
Don't be alarmed if you nip the skin
Do not be alarmed in the case that your baby does jerk while you are using a baby nail scissor and there is a little bleeding. Simply apply pressure until the bleeding stops and dab antibiotic ointment over the cut to avoid infection. Do not put a band aid on your baby. It is easy for babies to suck band aids off their fingers and toes and then choke on them.
|
