How do you safely cut DC nails? We keep hurting our DD-so sad! Should I bite them? Get a new... - Page 2

[nervousmommy]

nak..just want to add
always while asleep and because asleep you can cut same nail a few times so you don't have to make sure you get it all in first try...that way no bleeding. Also I use baby clippers..bright light to see and make sure bottom of clippers is under nail and top of clippers is pulled back and not over nail bed when clipping. It's very easy when they are asleep on you lap. I cut DS nails ever 5 days.

[cristeen]

I only tried the baby clippers once - they were so dull it was like using a butter knife. Ugh! Now I use the adult clippers, and I just grab his hand and pinch his finger between mine, make sure I get the corner of the clipper under his nail only and line it up before clipping. Used to be I could do it while he's sleeping, but now he won't let me, so I try to do it while nursing.

[akat]

nak
ugh, i hate the baby clippers! they scare the crap out of me.
i use tiny, sharp embroidery scissors, pull the pads back, when he's asleep, and cut tons of little snips on each nail.

[myfairbabies]

Dd is 8 months and I've never hurt her, however, I had years of practice as a nanny! I've cut a LOT of little nails. One thing I do is use adult clippers, hold baby in my lap and have her distracted by something (usually videos of herself). I angle the clippers a little toward the back of her hand, so they aren't straight on like I would clip my own nails. I then use an emery board to make them nice and smooth. She scratches her head all the time, so I have to do this pretty much every day.

[lmk1]

When ds was younger, I always did it when he was sleeping. That way, you have all the time of the world so you're not rushed. I really really like the Red Cross baby clippers. They come with a magnifying glass, which I've never used, because it's just too weird! But, they cut perfectly and well. I don't like filing as it takes too long and raises nail dust that I don't want ds inhaling. Now that he's older, I show him that he's got dirt under his nails (or crayon) and ask him if I can cut his nails. Usually he's fine with it and will stand still and just watch. Sometimes, he's done after only 1 nail is cut, which is ok, because I'll come back to the others after a little while. But yeah, at 7 months, I definitely only did it while he was sleeping...even if you've got 2 people ... it's still too hard to control a squirming little hand. I have to say too, that my brother was too impatient with my nephew a few times cutting his nails (I don't know at what age), but now my nephew (11 years old) refuses to cut his nails...they're really gross with dirt underneath the nails and all that, but I think he just has a bad association with nail cutting...so I've always been very careful with ds' nails.

[DCMama01]

Originally Posted by yentroc

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.

me too!

[Brittee]

Second for pushing the pad away

I used to cut my little charge's nails often and was fortunate to not have any accidents. I turned the clippers upside down so I could see better when I was trimming, and gently pushed the bottom clipper against the underside of the nail to make sure no skin was going to get in the way before making the cut. I used to do it while she was sleeping, but now her dad wants to be in charge, which is ok with me until she starts scratching herself and me all over. She's 13 months now, so I hold out a finger, and hold it nice and still so her mommy can do the clipping when she needs. It is rarely ever more that one hand at a sitting, but that is better than just letting it go.

[claddaghmom]

I've cut many a nail, growing up the oldest in a big household.

But I was unprepared for DD. Her nail pads are fat, I guess? The whites of the nail are still along the fingertips. Even pushing them back didn't clear enough to cut them.

I took to biting them b/c she would not let me cut them.

Bad idea. Don't bite their nails! B/c guess what, they quickly learn to bite their nails! DD is 15 months and a huge nail biter...

[Mulvah]

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.

Another biter here!

[CookAMH]

Originally Posted by 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 do this too. 9mo DS seems to like to watch for about 6 fingers, then he gets squirmy. I then look at the last few and pick the longest to try to at least get one more trimmed. I'm just very careful, I use clippers I'm used to (adult size) and don't trim until I know I have the nail, and I don't try to go too short. I nicked some skin (no blood) the first time I ever did that when he was a few days old and it's never happened since. He sits on my lap and I look over his shoulder to do it.

[Madalyn]

I use adult ones. The baby ones are dull and clamp at a weird angle in my opinion or at least all mine did. I did file them at first because it scared me with those baby ones. The first time I tried the adult ones it was SO much easier so I've stuck with those. I usually do Jonas's in the high chair now. Hands I can get done all at one time but feet I usually have to do a few at a time and keep going back lol. He's too wiggly with those!

[gracemamma]

Thanks so much!

Thanks so much Mamas! We have lot of different techniques to try now! I will get some of the scissors at BRUS tomorrow! I'm also going to try the biting and the filing! We also have tons of adult clippers!
We may end up with a combo strategy here but I am definately going to be more involved.
I hesitated bout clipping during sleep even though we starfted clipping them that way becuse I HATE to wake her up. But maiming is MUCH WORSE!
THANKS AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Blessed_Mom]

Originally Posted by Pandme

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..