Your baby's nails might look thin and soft, almost see-through - but don't be fooled: they can be surprisingly sharp. Before your little one accidentally scratches themselves, here are seven practical tips for trimming those tiny nails safely.
1. Wait until the nails are firmer
Hold off on cutting until the nails are a bit harder, usually from around twelve weeks. Already long and sharp before then? Gently file them with a nail file made for babies, always in one direction, never back and forth. Still feel unsure? Thin cotton mittens or socks over the hands work well as a temporary fix.
2. Pick a calm moment
From around twelve weeks, you can trim the nails with baby nail scissors or clippers: these have round, blunt tips, so a small slip is less likely to hurt. Choose a moment when your baby is relaxed, for example right after a feed or during a quiet moment on the changing table. It's best to avoid cutting nails right after a bath, as they're softer then and actually harder to trim.
3. Find a practical spot
Position your baby somewhere you can easily reach their hands and feet - a bouncer, your lap, or the changing table all work well. What matters most is that your baby can lie still and calm.
4. Teamwork makes it easier
Gently spread the little fingers or toes and free up the nail by pressing lightly on the fingertip. If your baby resists, don't hesitate to ask for help: one person holds the hand while the other trims calmly. Two sets of hands make it much easier.
5. Round for fingers, straight for toes
Trim fingernails in a rounded shape, following the natural curve of the finger. Toenails, on the other hand, should be cut straight across to help prevent ingrown nails.
6. A little accident? It happens to everyone
Nicked a fingertip by accident? It happens to most parents at some point. Rinse the fingertip briefly under cold water, then press a clean piece of gauze on it until the bleeding stops. A plaster isn't necessary - and often not practical, since babies love sucking on their fingers.
7. Better too often than too short
Baby nails grow surprisingly fast, so expect to trim them roughly once or twice a week. It's better to trim a little more often than to cut too short in one go: nails cut too short can hurt or lead to an inflamed nail fold.