Trimming baby nails

Should I trim my baby’s nails?

Your baby’s nails will grow quickly during their first few weeks of their life and you may want to trim their nails to stop them from scratching themselves. Some experts recommend trimming them during the first couple of weeks because their nails are still very soft and trimming them may harm the skin underneath the nails; if you are worried about your baby scratching themselves, get them a pair of cotton scratch mittens to wear on their hands.

Once your baby’s nails have hardened a bit, you will need to trim them regularly, especially if, like many babies, they don’t like wearing scratch mitts.

How often should I trim my baby’s nails?

Once your baby’s nails have hardened a bit, you will need to trim them on a regular basis, around once a week; some baby’s nails grow faster than others so keep an eye on your baby’s nails and trim them as and when necessary. Some experts and mums recommend trimming baby’s nails when they are asleep so they don’t wriggle or get upset about having their nails cut. The nails soften after a bath as well, so it may be best to trim your baby’s nails after they have had a bath in the evening and then gone to bed.

Toenails grow slower than finger nails and you should only need to cut them once every two to four weeks.

How should I trim my baby’s nails?

Some experts recommend using your hands to gently peel off your baby’s nail; if you do decide to do this, make sure you do it very gently so that you don’t take too much of the nail away. Nowadays, there are specialist baby nail scissors and nail clippers available in shops; these are designed for tiny hands and will ensure you take the right amount of nail away. Try to avoid nibbling away at your baby’s nails, as you could pass bacteria from your mouth onto your baby.

What should I do if I accidently cut my baby?

This is very common so don’t panic if you accidently nick your baby’s skin; simply wipe the area with a sterile cloth.

Caring for your newborn:

• Caring for your newborn
• What are dummies?
• Newborns and movement
• Burping your baby
• Playing with your newborn
• Caring for newborns with and without circumcision
• Baby hair loss
• Baby Massage
• Newborn Clothing: Dressing and body temperature
• Newborn and home safety
• Newborn: When others want to hold or touch
• Babies and pets
• Baby constipation
• Baby clothes
• What should my first aid kit contain?
• Taking a baby’s temperature
• Baby medicine

• Coping with your newborn
• Newborn: When to call a doctor?
• Baby hygiene
• Trimming baby nails
• Caring for babies’ bottoms
• Baby poo
• How to care for your newborn’s body
• Newborns and nappies
• Caring for your Baby’s Clothes
• Baby Milestones
• Baby first aid
• Common baby emergencies
• How to help a choking baby
• Baby vomiting
• Keeping your baby safe
• Baby Monitors
• Baby swimming