How to cut baby's nails: here are some tips

How to cut baby's nails : here are some tips

How to cut a newborn's nails is one of the first doubts of a mother. Newborn babies often have long fingernails and are at risk of scratching themselves. Cutting the nails would seem the most practical solution, but pediatric advice explains that it is better to wait and follow precise instructions to cut the nails of the newborn.

A newborn baby's nails are very delicate. They are not real nails yet, as she will have them as she grows up. Baby's first nails are cartilage, so very delicate Cutting a baby's nails too early or incorrectly runs the risk of creating infections or causing pain to babies.

Mittens for newborns

Pediatric advice suggests not cutting a newborn's nails before 15-20 days of life. Often in this period the child is made to wear mittens, small gloves that leave the fingers free inside. It is important to choose mittens for a newborn paying attention to the material they are made of:

Breathable fabric

· Free from beads or small parts that can detach and be swallowed

· Without wool lint that could enter the respiratory tract

File, scissors or nail clippers?

· If it becomes necessary to cut a newborn's nails in the first days of life, the solution is to file them by postponing the cut. The files recommended for newborns are those of cardboard, which being softer do not feel pain for the child and do not risk damaging the nail, or leaving annoying tips.

· When the child grows, you can switch to earwig. Pediatric scissors have rounded tips to avoid hurting the baby. They are easily found in children's stores or pharmacies.

· The nail clipper is more suitable for big children.

The first nail cut for a newborn

The first nail cut may scare the child. It is best to delay him the first time he is quiet and relaxed, such as after a bath or while he is waking up from a nap. Cutting nails for young children is very important to prevent the space under the nail from becoming an environment where germs that would quickly pass into the mouth can be stopped. After the first two or three weeks of life, the nails can be cut.

The important thing is to keep in mind the following tips:

1.Keep the baby's hand firmly, avoiding that an inappropriate movement can cause a cut too close to the skin or that the baby is injured with scissors;

2.The cut of a newborn's nails must be straight. The cut on the sides risks making the nail grow badly, which could become ingrown and create infections;

3.limate any spikes that may cause scratches to the baby.