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As we all know, a baby's nails grow rapidly right after birth. So, you need to trim a newborn's nails every two or three days in the first three weeks. Later, the nails will become harder and grow slower, but you still need to trim a baby's nails at least once a week to protect both you and the baby from sharp edges. The easiest and safest time to trim a newborn's nails is when they're in a deep sleep. During deep sleep, the baby's limbs relax, and their hands are easily accessible.
A baby's nails are softest right after a warm bath. Try bathing the baby before bedtime and then trim their nails while they're peacefully asleep.
Trimming Bleeding Baby Nails
Trimming Newborn Baby Nails
Another suggestion is to trim a baby's nails while they are nursing. During breastfeeding, the baby is highly focused on eating and may not notice your careful nail trimming – use a pillow to ensure your hands are free while nursing.
Guidelines for Safely Trimming a Baby's Bleeding Nails
Always cut a newborn's nails in a well-lit area so you can see what you're doing. Some baby nail clippers come with a small magnifying glass for a better view of the baby's tiny nails.
Avoid cutting a baby's nails with a mother's teeth. Using teeth may introduce bacteria from your mouth into the baby's skin. It's best to use specialized baby nail clippers for the small hands of the baby.
Procedure for trimming a newborn's nails
- Hold the baby's fingers tightly while trimming the nails to prevent the baby from wiggling and getting scratched.
- Cut newborn nails along the curve of the baby's fingers. Avoid cutting straight across or clipping 2-3 times, as it may leave sharp edges on the baby's nails.
- If your baby 'agrees,' you can gently file their nails to ensure safety.
What to do when a baby's skin is scratched and bleeding?
If accidentally causing a baby to bleed, stay calm. Wrap a sterile gauze around the baby's finger, apply gentle pressure to the wound, and keep the wound higher than the baby's heart.
Never use an adult's mouth to suck a baby's blood; bacteria can enter the baby's skin faster with an open wound. Consult a pediatrician about liquid bandages for a newborn's wound. These products are non-toxic, dry quickly, and peel off with dead skin cells as the wound heals.
Baby's toenails grow slower than fingernails, so you only need to trim them once or twice a month. However, pay more attention to toenails to prevent sharp edges from catching on blankets and scratching your baby's tiny feet. Once your baby starts wearing shoes, you'll need to trim toenails more frequently.
