Nail care for newborns

pedicure chairs

Newborn fingernails and toenails are usually soft and flexible. However, if they are ragged or too long, they can hurt the baby or others. Moreover, Newborns do not yet have control of their movements, they may scratch or claw at their face so that It is important to keep your baby's nails clean and trimmed carefully.

Since baby's nails grow so quickly, you may have to cut the fingernails at least once a week. You may only need to cut the toenails a couple of times per month. Toenails require less frequent trtimming. Some parents bite their baby's nails to trim them, but the AAP warns that this can lead to infection.

Here are some steps to protect  your newborns nail:

Firsly, Clean the baby's hands, feet, and nails during regular bathing.

Secondly, you need  to prepare a pair of baby scissors or clippers, and accompany with  a partner.   The best stragedy is to trim nails  with baby nail scissors that have blunt rounded tips or baby nail clippers. Do NOT use adult-sized nail clippers. You could clip the tip of the baby's finger or toe instead of the nail.

 Thirdly, one of you can hold the baby and keep him from twitching too much while the other does the job. You may want to try this while he's feeding or sleeping so that he'll be calmer.

 Lastly, press the finger pad away from the nail to avoid capturing the skin, and keep a firm hold on your child's hand as you clip. If you're worried you might accidently clip or cut  your baby's finger, you can use a soft emery board instead to prevent harming your baby. This is the safest method to shorten and smooth the nails.

A newborn baby’s nails grow continuously and  so delicate that parents might be concerned about clipping them. An early start on keeping your newborn’s nails trimmed safe is very necessary.