How do you safely cut DC nails? We keep hurting our DD-so sad! Should I bite them? Get a new...

[gracemamma]

Last night we resolved to cut DD (7 months) nails as we were tired of being mauled! I have let DH do all the nail cutting as I like having one duty that he is responsible for. I hold and distract DD. A couple months ago he accidently cut both her thumbs and she bled but we got it quickly under control. Last night, she bled so much it was horrifying! Pressure would not stop it and she just cried and cried. Keeping the hand under cold running water helped and putting a bandaid helped keep constant pressure and finally did the job. So sad and scary!

I've read about electric nail files that do the job without cutting the baby but the one I looked at on amazon had reviews that said it worked only till three months.
Any recommendations? We already have the nail clipper with magnifying glass but DH doesnt use the magnifier.
Should I just bite the bullet and take this over too?
Do any of you successfully cut babies nails without ever hurting them?
And for those who bite your babis nails off-how do you do this?
Anyone have a different contraption-like the electric file- that works for you?

Thank you for your help-I never want to go thropugh what we did last night again!

[NSmomtobe]

I use an emory board because I was warned in the hospital that baby nail clippers are dangerous. Still, sometimes I think I am sharpening the nails rather than dulling them.

[mama2myloves]

I've never mastered nail clippers on a baby.

I just keep a regular nail file nearby and file nails whenever I notice they need smoothing. Most of the time its while I'm nursing.

[gracemamma]

Just filing! How smart! I never thought of this! Do you do this alot then? For 10 fingers and 10 toes, I think I'd be at it constantly!

[MaddieMay]

I hate the baby clippers. We use regular adult ones. I lay DS on the floor and hover over him with my head towards his feet. I wear a pretty and dangly necklace and he plays with that while I cut. Once in awhile I nick him, but I've noticed if I keep them slightly long it works better. I just have to cut more often.

[Alisse]

I've always cut my ds's nails without hurting him. I use baby nail clippers because they're not as wide as the adult ones. I always make sure that the end of the blade is beneath his nail only before i clip. If he's really wiggly i'll do it when he's asleep.

[texmati]

Originally Posted by NSmomtobe

I use an emory board because I was warned in the hospital that baby nail clippers are dangerous. Still, sometimes I think I am sharpening the nails rather than dulling them.

lol!!! DS managed to cut himself really badly after we 'dulled' his nails with a file.

[Pandme]

Use a nail file. Just get the cheap ones and file away. I used to do it during naps.

[townelin]

I second using adult clippers. Plus do it while they're sleeping.

[amydiane]

We never had much luck with the clippers, and then someone suggested using baby nail scissors, which we were scared of at first, but actually worked so much better. Some of them are still crap though. The best ones we've found are the Red Cross brand (they came in a baby first aid kit).

[millifiori]

baby nail scissors are the best, very easy and safe to use. we try to cut while the baby is sleeping or just do a couple at a time to minimize squirming.

[LionessMom]

i grip the finger so that it pulls the pad back leaving the nail sticking out, then only clip after i can tell the blade is under the nail. i have only got her once and that was bc i forgot to pull back on the pad. i didnt get all the way through and there was no blood, just a 6 hour bruise. i only cut her nails when i start to get scratched so maybe once a week.

[starling&diesel]

I also grip the finger so the pad is pulled away from the nail. We use clippers, and haven't had a mishap with them yet. We cut them about once a week. I used to be able to cut them any time, but now I cut them when she's asleep. She's more relaxed and isn't struggling, and I can take my time. I get DP to aim a flashlight on the finger or toe and go to town.

[maptome]

Originally Posted by millifiori

baby nail scissors are the best, very easy and safe to use.

I agree. Also, you can cut the nails really short. I tried using a file, but it does seem to just sharpen the nails into little daggers.

[Pandme]

Originally Posted by Pearl H

I agree. Also, you can cut the nails really short. I tried using a file, but it does seem to just sharpen the nails into little daggers.

Really? I am able to file so smooth, I don't have to worry about the nails for at least 2 weeks.I just run my finger over each nail to see what potentially feels sharp and file down as needed. Or I use the file to soften the nail, then peel it off, then file any sharpness remaining.

I only recently started using nail clippers on my son and he's 3. It's just faster and hie has bigger nails now.

[Ellien C]

I used to wait until the child was asleep. I just picked the hand up and cut the nails. It's a lot easier when they aren't flailing. I don't know that I could do all 10 fingers at one, but even 2 thumbs and 2 pointers is a big help.

I never once cut my daughters pads and if she started to stir, I would stop and try another day. Works great.

[lotusdebi]

I always bit my babies nails. The nails are very soft and easy to chew off, and you can use your mouth to feel how much to bite off. Easy and gentle.

[ShadowMoon]

I used, (and still use), tiny nail scissors. These work best if you have a still babe, (obviously )

[yentroc]

Originally Posted by lotusdebi

I always bit my babies nails. The nails are very soft and easy to chew off, and you can use your mouth to feel how much to bite off. Easy and gentle.

I bite my babies' nails too. I started biting my dd's after a horrifying incident like the OP's, where she bled and bled from baby clippers.

I bite my ds's now too, while he's nursing. It usually takes just a nibble on the edge and then they peel off evenly.

[mambera]

We used to use clippers but have switched to scissors, I find them easier.

Filing took forever, never seemed to get anywhere.

I always do it when dd is sleeping. I use the scissors and cut v-e-r-y s-l-o-w-l-y. I have never nicked nor woken her but if she stirs I wait.

Why doesn't your DH use the magnifier? If you don't move too quickly the baby will startle before you make any cut that is deep enough to be serious.