Cutting Your Baby’s Nails For The First Time

There are many myths about cutting your baby’s nails for the first time.

Some people claim that it can lead to certain conditions or diseases if you do this too early. However, there is no strict restriction on when you can trim your baby’s nails for the first time.

Babies naturally have delicate skin. Before they are born, they have spent nine months in a humid environment.

Of course, this also affects their nails. These are soft and fragile at first.

Therefore, it is better to wait until the nails have already hardened a little. In addition, they will then be easier to cut.

However, some children are  born too late and may already have longer nails.

This puts the child at risk of accidentally scratching himself. In these cases, parents should carefully clip or file their baby’s nails.

Cutting your baby’s nails: when do you start?

In a newborn baby, the nails are still very close to the skin, making it difficult to cut them. Most parents wait three to four weeks after birth before trimming their nails for the first time.

Try to avoid using nail scissors unless you can clearly see the separation between the nail and the skin.

Another option is to use  a special file for babies. This will prevent your baby from scratching itself or from getting sharp edges in clothes. A baby’s nails can be surprisingly sharp!

Another thing to consider is how often you should trim a baby’s nails. It is difficult to set up a routine for this, as your baby’s nails can grow very quickly.

Some children need to trim their nails twice a week. It is best to keep a close eye on its growth. Know that this also applies to toenails.

How do you cut a newborn’s nails?

The best time to trim your baby’s nails is when the child is calm.

This can be after a bath or after feeding. You can also do this while sleeping.

If you have a quiet child, you can try clipping the nails while the child is sitting on your lap.

During the first few months, you should use special blunt scissors or nail clippers. Hold the scissors perpendicular to the nail to avoid injury.

Good light is very helpful when clipping your baby’s nails. That way you can prevent accidents. In addition, make sure you hold the hand well in case of sudden, abrupt movements. Cut carefully but firmly.

Mistakes you should try to avoid

• Cut the nail in an arc shape. A baby’s nails should be trimmed straight. This is partly to avoid ingrown nails.
• Cut too short. Some parents make the mistake of cutting the nails all the way to the skin. This leaves a sensitive part of the finger exposed to injuries and infections.

• Use the nail scissors and nail clippers for other purposes. Keep the material for clipping your baby’s nails for that purpose only. This will keep the material clean.
• Biting your baby’s nails. Biting a baby’s nails by the parents is a technique that is much more common than you think. This is done out of fear of using scissors. However, be aware that this can lead to infections.
• Break the nails. Another consequence of parents’ fear of clipping their baby’s nails is that they continue to grow and eventually break down on their own. This can lead to tears and serious injuries. In addition, the child is at risk of scratching himself.

The Myth of the Mittens

To prevent the child from scratching themselves, some parents choose to have their child wear mittens or gloves all the time.

This is a big mistake, because these things are meant to protect your baby from the cold outside.

Remember that babies use their hands to interact with their environment.

Touch is crucial for babies to recognize their mother during breastfeeding. In addition, babies practice the sucking reflex, which they use to drink, by putting all kinds of things in their mouths.

So leave their hands free and pay attention to your baby’s nails.