Cutting baby’s nails is essential to prevent him from scratching himself. From when should they be cut and how to avoid hurting the child? Anh-Chi Ton, midwife, gives us her advice.
Many young parents are apprehensive about cut baby nails for fear of doing wrong or hurting the child. Usually at birthbaby’s nails are often fragile and particularly soft. It is therefore useless to cut them too early and it is even better to wait until the baby grows a little. In addition, it is necessary to take some precautions and to have the right gestures to cut baby nails properly. Here is the advice of Anh-Chi Ton, liberal midwife in Paris.
At what age should baby’s nails be cut?
“Baby’s nails should be cut around the age of 1 month when they are a little strongerbecause at first they are soft and they have to adhere to the skin”, explains the midwife. Before this age, it is better to avoid cutting them so as not to damage their matrix. If baby is scratching, you can put mittens on him to prevent him from hurting his face and eyes in particular.
“Baby’s nails should be cut around 1 month old when they are a little stronger.”
To successfully cut baby’s nails in the first months, it is necessary touse a pair of curved scissors with rounded ends suitable for baby’s small hands. Once you get the hang of it and your baby is older, you can use nail clippers if you prefer.
If your toddler fusses whenever you try to cut his nails and you don’t really feel comfortable, try cutting them while he’s sleeping. However, it is necessary to have enough light when cutting! Here’s how to go about it:
- Place your child on your lap, back to you. This will allow you to better control its movements in the event of a protest.
- To cut your nails safely, hold her hand firmly in the palm of your hand.
- Take the tip of his finger between your thumb and index finger.
- Cut his fingernail straightto avoid ingrown toenails.
How often should baby’s nails be cut?
“Baby’s nails are to be cut according to their regrowth, about once a week“, says the nurse. Otherwise, if they grow slower, simply adapt according to their length.
What about baby toenails?
For the toenails, you can wait until the baby grows a little before cutting them., because they usually grow slower than fingernails. You can do a cut once a month. However, always keep in mind that they should not be too short.
The right things to do before cutting baby’s nails
Before cutting baby’s nails, to avoid infection, it is important to disinfect the pair of scissors or nail clippers that are used with 90° alcohol. Also remember to do it after each use until the next cut.
What to do in case of small cuts or bleeding?
To heal the cut, you can also use Cytelium spray from A-Derma which is a drying lotion or the Avene Cicalfate Lotion, advises Anh-Chi Ton. The days following the cut, check that the fingertips are not red. If so, make an appointment with the pediatrician, as this could be the start of an infection.
Thanks to Anh-Chi Ton, midwife.