Caring for your child's nails: how to properly care for them. How to trim a newborn baby's nails

Getting your nails cut for the first time is an event!

All babies are different, some are born with very long nails, while others have them, on the contrary, barely visible on their tiny fingers.
Most young mothers, finding themselves at home after being discharged from the maternity hospital, strive to care for the baby as carefully as possible. At this moment, the question becomes relevant: when should a newborn cut his nails for the first time in his life? The most important thing is not to rush; you can trim the tips of the nail plates for the first time no earlier than on the 10th day of the child’s life. It's even better to wait until your baby is about two weeks old. The thing is that a baby is born with very thin nails. If you try to trim them before they get stronger, you risk harming your baby. But what if a child was born with very long nails and scratches? Buy special “scratch mittens”; they look like socks that you put on your hands. This simple wardrobe item will help solve the problem of skin damage.

When to cut

Many parents wonder when they can cut their newborn’s nails. Most often, problems do not arise with newborn children, since they do not resist haircuts too much. But with older babies there can be some difficulties, as they begin to resist when they understand what they want to do to them. And although the procedure is not at all painful, it is still not very pleasant, which is what the child does not like. In this case, you can act in one of the following ways:

Try cutting your child's nails while he sleeps. If he sleeps too lightly, then this action will be quite difficult to carry out. However, if you sleep soundly, then giving your baby a manicure will be quite easy. If he starts tossing and turning, just stop the procedure, rock him, wait until he falls asleep and continue;
Cut your child's nails when he has just woken up. Usually during this period children are in a good mood, and also somewhat lethargic. This way the resistance will be minimal;
As with sleep, after eating the child is also in a good mood and somewhat relaxed. Try cutting his nails then;

You can also cut your nails after a bath. Children can be quite relaxed and cheerful. In addition, the good thing about this method is that it allows you to pre-soften the nail plate, which will reduce the amount of discomfort for the baby. However, in this case you need to be careful, since the likelihood of damage to the delicate thin skin of the child, which has also been additionally softened, increases. In addition, you can cut your nails too short, which will be unpleasant and inconvenient for the child;
The next method is good for those who have an assistant in the matter of children's manicure. It is necessary to distract the child. In this case, the mother can play with the baby with his favorite toys, and the father can carefully trim his nails. The method is suitable for the most capricious kids.

In fact, every parent has their own secrets when it comes to cutting a newborn’s nails. The choice of time should be based on the individual characteristics of the child, his mood dynamics, etc. And although the most universal methods are given above, they may not be suitable for a particular baby.

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Cutting nails for newborns

For newborns, you can cut the nails after a bath, while the child is awake, or outside, carefully so as not to wake the baby. On the handles, you need to cut off the protruding edges of the overgrown nails in a crescent shape, on the legs, without going too deep, in a straight line. You can ask the child’s father for help at first, so that he can distract or hold the baby.

If your finger is accidentally injured, do not worry or panic. Carefully treat the wound site with hydrogen peroxide and cauterize it with an antiseptic. You need to cut your legs for the first time 2-3 weeks after birth . But if the baby was born with relatively long nails, this can be done earlier.

Alena Paretskaya, pediatrician, medical columnist

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Manicure set for baby

How can a newborn cut his nails, they are so small and fragile? Don't be lazy to buy special manicure tools. Many manufacturers of children's products even offer entire sets of accessories for caring for infants' nails. Manicure scissors for little ones have rounded blade tips. For children older than six months, special tweezers and files are also offered.

What to look for when choosing a children's manicure set? Tools must have the thinnest possible working surfaces. It is also desirable that the accessories are easy to treat with antiseptics. How can a newborn cut his nails without special baby tools? If you haven’t had time to get a manicure set for your baby, regular manicure scissors will do. It is desirable that their tips are blunt. Store your baby's nail care supplies in a separate, tightly closed case. Be sure to clean these instruments with an antiseptic solution after each use.

How to cut nails of a newborn?

A young mother should purchase a manicure set at a children's store or pharmacy before bringing her baby home from the maternity hospital. Scissors should not be used by other family members. The set is purchased individually for a newborn.

The manicure set for a child includes the following components:

Nippers for biting off an overgrown nail;
Manicure and pedicure scissors remove remaining nail fragments and cut away rough skin around the nail plate. They also remove burrs. Scissors for children differ from adult tools in their blunt end, size, and plastic finger rings at the base. Although they do not have a point, it is not recommended to give a manicure item to children. Parents trim their children’s nails and put them out of reach of children’s hands;
A file for removing roughness and giving smoothness to a trimmed nail. It, like children's scissors, does not have sharp edges and is used individually for the baby, like the rest of the tools in the manicure set.

Before each use, instruments are sanitized. They are washed under running water using a small amount of baby soap. All places in contact with the marigolds are treated with cotton wool or a piece of gauze soaked in seventy percent ethyl alcohol.

Manicure items for newborn

A peculiar list of accessories intended for the care of nails for a baby is in some way similar to an adult manicure set, however, it should be inviolable for a baby. In other words, items should be used exclusively for the little one.

Tweezers or nippers to remove the main part of the nail;
nail scissors with rounded ends or plastic caps on top. With their help, the corners of the nails are removed;
a file with a soft structure and rounded sides - after cutting, it removes all the unevenness on the nail plate.

If you just bought a manicure set, then it’s time to disinfect it. First of all, rinse well in a soapy solution; a mixture containing antibacterial soap, for example, Safeguard Nature or LION Kirei Kirei, would be excellent. Also, before use, the blades of scissors and tweezers are treated with medical alcohol.

How to cut a child's nails correctly

At first glance, this procedure is simple, but you still need to approach it responsibly. It is more convenient to carry it out after the child has taken a bath. In the water, the nails will soften, and cutting them will be easier and more convenient.

You need to start with the mandatory alcohol treatment of the children's manicure set.
First, clippers are used to cut the nail in a straight line.
The sharp tips of the nail in the corners must be cut off with scissors.
Using a soft file, smooth out uneven edges of the nails.

The regularity of nail care is individual for each child. It depends on the time of nail growth. On the child’s hands, the nails should remain rounded after trimming, and on the feet, the edges of the nails should be straight. Don't cut your nails too short. This can cause an inflammatory process along the edges of the fingers and cause pain and anxiety to the baby.

The manicure of a child and an adult is almost no different. One important difference is the delicate skin of a newborn, which can be easily injured with one careless movement. To prevent this from happening, it is recommended to listen to some practical advice:

It is better for both parents to care for a child’s nails. One of them will communicate with the baby, distract him with a toy or conversation and hold his hand or leg. The other one will calmly carry out a manicure at this time.
If this hygienic procedure has to be carried out by one adult, then it is advisable to place the child on his tummy. In this position, he will not move his arms and legs as actively. Trimming toenails can be done by bending the leg at the knee, and on the hands - by bending the elbow.
It’s even more comfortable to take care of your baby’s nails then. When he is fast asleep. During this period, his body will be relaxed and his fists will be unclenched. You can do everything quietly and carefully. Without disturbing the child's sleep.
During a manicure, it is very important to firmly hold the baby’s hand or foot, so that even during unexpected movements of the child, the procedure is carried out safely.

Preparation for the procedure

The success of the procedure depends on how correctly the time is chosen for its implementation. When can you cut the nails of newborn babies? Many pediatricians advise trying to give your baby a manicure while he sleeps. The most important thing is that the baby is calm and relaxed. Some babies let their nails be cut immediately after feeding. Other babies are calmest after bathing. Still, you shouldn’t cut your nails immediately after water procedures. Wait at least 20-40 minutes. The thing is that when exposed to water, the nail plates and the skin around them soften. Trimming your nails immediately after a bath can unnoticed damage the cuticle or skin near the tips of the nails. Start by preparing for your manicure.

How to properly cut nails of newborn babies, what needs to be done before the procedure? Mom should wash her hands thoroughly, or even better, wipe them with antiseptic wipes. Tools should be disinfected. Now you can begin the most important part of the procedure.

You should not cut your nails immediately after birth, although babies are most often born with a manicure. You need to wait at least 2 weeks. Already when you can cut the nails of a newborn, you need to wait for him to be in a good mood.

Kids are so cute. They are so small, sweet, sweethearts. They have tiny fingers and nails... How to trim a newborn’s nails correctly so as not to irritate the child or cause him harm?

Most babies are born with long nails. In maternity hospitals, nails are not cut, and when they bring them home, many mothers immediately try to give their children a manicure.

This is not necessary at all. It is better not to touch children’s fingers for the first 2 weeks. The nails are not stiff, even if the children scratch themselves, these scratches are not dangerous. On the contrary, some doctors believe that these microscratches will help the child gain the necessary immunity.

When can a newborn's nails be cut? The treatment is carried out on the hands of 2-week-old babies. And then you have to trim your nails regularly at least once every 5 days. On the legs, it is enough to cut the nails once every 2 weeks, they grow more slowly.

Before you do a manicure, you need to decide on the tools. There are special scissors with rounded ends that cannot be used to damage your fingers. But many mothers are unhappy with these devices - most scissors have thick blades and are not sharpened enough.

Therefore, women prefer to use their favorite sharp nail scissors or cuticle tweezers. They are very convenient for shortening the soft nails of newborns. This is really a great way out. But the scissors that have already been used need to be processed. First, they are washed with ordinary soap, and then treated with any product with a high alcohol content.

Some mothers heat the scissors over a gas burner. This precaution is unnecessary, besides, while the manicure accessory cools down, sterility disappears.

The scissors are disinfected, and it's time to start manicure. When can you cut a newborn's nails, what is the best time to choose? Every mother feels the condition of her child by breathing and grimaces in her sleep. Therefore, the time when the child is in a good and calm mood is selected individually in each case. Some kids like it when their fingers are played with.

They are not capricious, they are happy to give their pen. Others have to cut their nails while sleeping. The main thing is that the mother holds the finger firmly, without giving the baby any unpleasant sensations or allowing him to escape.

You cannot cut your nails after your child has been bathed. During this procedure, the nails soften even more—baby nails are not hard—the skin on the fingers wrinkles, and it is very difficult to carry out the procedure without damaging the cuticle around the nail.

You need to know how to properly cut a newborn's nails. The edge of the nail is cut straight, parallel to the finger, but not short. The distance from the soft tissues of the finger should be approximately 2 mm. The edges of the nail are not left sharp; they need to be rounded.

You can turn a hygiene procedure into a game process. Come up with a little count for each finger. For example: finger-finger, boy-boy, where did you go for a walk? I’m going to see my dad today, I need to help him... The kids may not yet accurately understand the meaning of the rhymes, but they understand when they practice them.

While you can cut your nails, it is still necessary to examine your baby’s nails. Nails are an indicator of the health of the body, and by their appearance you can determine whether a child has health problems.

If the nails are pale, more white than pink, then you need to pay attention to the condition of the heart and blood vessels. There are white spots on the nails - the baby’s body lacks such important microelements as selenium and phosphorus.

Brittle nails in infancy indicate low immunity or undetected diseases of the digestive system.

The nails changed color, became greenish, brownish - an infection had settled in the body. Marigolds also become stained when exposed to antibiotics.

Sometimes parents notice grooves on their child’s nails. This phenomenon is definitely worth paying attention to. Transverse grooves indicate a lack of zinc, longitudinal grooves indicate a runny nose soon.

People with contagious skin diseases should not come into contact with the baby. For some reason, there is an opinion that during the first 2 months of life a child is protected from all diseases. It is not right. A baby can catch nail fungus from birth when it comes into contact with a sick family member.

If you cut a baby's nail plate short, it will hurt him. Leave a sharp edge - the child will injure himself if he moves carelessly. You need to know how to properly cut a newborn’s nails.

When should a newborn's nails be cut?

Medical sources on infant care do not recommend cutting infants' nails while they sleep. At the slightest wrong movement, an inexperienced mother can injure the child and thereby instill a feeling of fear in him while resting.

This unpleasant moment will be deposited in the subconscious of a newborn. Over time, it will become difficult for him to fall asleep, and if sleep comes, it will be short and weak.

If parents know with complete confidence that they will not cause pain to the child during sleep, then they can begin the procedure of trimming the nails twenty minutes after the child falls asleep. This degree of sleep is the deepest. The child will not feel any touch on his arms and legs, and his overgrown nails can be carefully trimmed.

Pediatricians do not recommend cutting the nails of newborn children after bathing, although many parents like to carry out this hygienic procedure after bathing procedures. The structure of the nail in children is quite thin and fragile. After swimming, the overgrown nail is not visible at all. When trimming, the risk of injury to the soft tissue around the plate increases.

Experienced mothers recommend trimming nails while the baby is active. This event can be replayed as a pleasant pastime. Mom tries in every possible way to distract her child, sings him songs or tells him an interesting poem.

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You can also involve the child’s dad in the game. Cutting a newborn's nails with the whole family is much more fun, and the parent handling the scissors is less intimidated the first time.

How to cut nails for a newborn: rules and useful tips

Before you take the scissors, you should firmly fix your finger with the fingers of one hand. Try to gently move the skin near the tip of the nail. Using scissors held in your other hand, carefully trim the edge of the nail plate. Don't try to cut your nail as short as possible. It is recommended to leave the length approximately 1-2 mm. On the hands, it is advisable to round the corners of the nails, and on the legs, on the contrary, leave them straight. This form will reduce the risk of the edges of the nail plates growing into the skin.

When can a newborn's nails be cut and how often should this procedure be done? It is recommended that the mother observe the growth rate of the baby’s nails. Some children need their nails cut once a month, while others need to have their nails cut at least twice a week.

How to cut a child's nails correctly so as not to injure his fingers?

The best time to trim nails is when your baby is sleeping or immediately after a bath when his nails are at their softest.

So,
how to cut your nails correctly ? We suggest using the following algorithm of actions:

Make sure you have enough light to see the tiny marigolds.
Use children's scissors or nippers specially designed for small fingers.
Move the pad of your finger away from the nail to avoid damaging the skin, and hold your child's hand firmly while trimming. You can also involve your partner: ask him to use his fingernail to protect the delicate skin from being cut.
On the hands, nails should be cut along the bend of the finger, and on the feet, straight across. To smooth out uneven edges or rough spots, use a nail file.

By the way, in the first few weeks of a newborn’s life, experts recommend using exclusively a nail file, since nails during this period are very soft and inexperienced parents can easily injure the baby.

If you want to give your child a manicure while he's awake, ask a partner or friend to hold him or distract him so he can let you hold his hand steady to trim his nails safely.

It is worth noting that some parents bite their baby’s nails, but this should never be done, as you can transfer germs from your mouth to any wound he may have. Plus, a newborn's finger is too tiny compared to your teeth, so you won't be able to see what you're doing.

Rules for cutting nails

Before properly cutting a newborn's nails, he needs to be positioned so that he cannot move his arms and legs abruptly. Doctors advise placing the baby on his tummy. If he's awake, distract him with a rattle and sweet words.

To begin the procedure, the participation of two people is required. One should hold the child's limbs, and the other should hold the scissors.

To trim each nail on the hands of newborn children, you will need:

fix the baby’s finger in the palm of an adult;
grasp the nail, slightly pulling the skin away from it, and carefully cut off the plate;
Carefully round off the tips of the nail and start working on a new finger.

Do not cut your nails very short, leave a length of about 1-2 mm. If you don't do this, your baby will experience discomfort. Don't forget to remove hangnails. They lead to infection in the baby’s body and cause him pain.

The rounded shape of the nail plate on the hands is necessary in order to avoid it from growing into the delicate skin of the fingertips. If trouble occurs, immediately show the baby to the doctor. You cannot fix the problem yourself. You can make the situation worse, and a small wound will lead to severe inflammation.

When trimming your baby's toenails, you should hold both the baby's heel and toe. Shorten the plate along a straight line, without leaving rounded corners, otherwise they will begin to grow into the skin.

Features of the structure of nails

Babies are born with thin, transparent nail plates on their fingers. Sometimes they are so long that they have to be cut in the maternity hospital so that the baby does not injure himself. Keratin plates in newborns are not at all similar to the nails of adults. They will acquire a normal appearance after some time.

By the appearance of a baby's nails, one can determine a lack of vitamins and features of intrauterine development. Normally, infant fingernails and toenails have a pink tint, a smooth surface, and do not peel off.

The keratin plate changes gradually. It is fully formed and roughens on the hands by the age of 4, on the feet by 10. This difference in the time of development of nails is explained by the weakness of the plates on the feet, frequent injuries, wearing shoes and care features.

Toenails up to 10 years of age can be concave, grow convex and incorrectly - all these external defects in childhood are considered normal. Most often, the little toe and big toe are affected, as they are the weakest elements of the foot. It is these fingers that need careful care and attention the most.

There is no need to treat koilonychia in a child.

If the defect does not disappear in adolescence and adulthood, then we are talking about autoimmune pathologies leading to tissue damage and the development of inflammation. In this case, it is necessary to carry out additional diagnostics, perceiving the curved nail as a sign and symptom of a more serious disease.

What to do if a mother injures her baby’s finger while trimming her nails?

Even if you do everything strictly according to the instructions, there is still a risk of accidental damage to the skin near the nail. What to do if the mother pricked the baby while trimming the tips of her nails? The most important thing is not to panic. The child will calm down and forget about the incident in a matter of minutes. It is important to treat the wound immediately to prevent it from becoming infected. Use any antiseptic solution: iodine, brilliant green or furatsilin. Treat the damaged skin and postpone the manicure until another time.

How to cut a newborn's nails if he is fidgety and fussy? The correct answer is no. Do not try to trim nails when the child is not in the mood for the procedure. If you try to deal with your baby “by force”, you risk injuring him and developing a hostile attitude towards nail care.

How often should you cut your newborn's nails?

The approximate frequency of this procedure on the arms should be 1 time every 4-5 days, and on the legs – 1 time every 7 days.

After some time, with diligence and patience, parents will have practical experience in cutting their baby's nails. After this, the procedure will become simple, accessible and will take a minimum of time.

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Ingrown toenail: is home treatment possible?

Most adults believe that ingrown toenails are caused by wearing uncomfortable shoes and improper care of the nail plates. These beliefs are partly true. Just don’t forget that even very tiny babies can have ingrown nails. What to do if you notice this pathology in your own baby? The best solution is to show the child to the pediatrician as quickly as possible. Do not attempt to treat or cut such a nail yourself. The risk of causing pain to the baby is too great, and even a successfully removed nail will most likely grow back incorrectly. Only a doctor can determine the cause of abnormal nail plate growth and prescribe effective treatment.

To prevent deformation and ingrown toenails, it is enough to wear only things made of natural fabrics on the baby and avoid squeezing the feet. Try to remember how to cut a newborn's nails correctly and follow these rules.

How to cut hair

There are several opinions on how to properly cut a newborn's nails. Much depends on the structure of the baby’s finger, the location of the nail plate on it, the shape of the nails, etc. But in any case, the order of work should be as follows:

Disinfect scissors using alcohol or alcohol-containing wipes;
Wash your own hands thoroughly with soap;

Wipe your own hands and your baby's hands with antibacterial baby wipes;
Pinch your baby's finger between your thumb and index finger;
Stretch the skin so that the pre-nail ridges do not protrude too much in the cutting area in order to avoid damaging the skin;
Using your middle finger, move the pad of your finger under the free edge of the nail down;
You can call the second parent for help, who will firmly fix the child’s hand;
Cut your fingernails rounded so that the child does not scratch himself;
Cut your toenails the other way around, as straight as possible, in order to avoid the occurrence and development of the problem of ingrown toenails;

The main rule in how to trim a newborn's nails is their length. Do not leave them too long, especially on the arms, as the child may scratch himself. But too short a length is also inconvenient, since it causes discomfort for the child himself, and in addition, when cutting the hair, you can damage the baby’s finger. The ideal length for cutting a baby's nails is 1 mm.

Ingrown toenails in infants

The nail plate of a baby is soft and practically does not grow in. But sometimes this happens and leads to injuries and inflammatory processes. If you notice that your child has an ingrown fingernail or toenail, contact your surgeon immediately. You cannot try to fix the problem on your own; this can lead to negative consequences and major injuries. Even if you manage to cut the nail without injury, it will not grow back correctly. Leave the problem to a specialist.

It is necessary to trim a baby's nails - this is basic hygiene. The process is not complicated, but both parents and the child must get used to it and adapt to it. Proper nail cutting technique will help avoid scratches, ingrown nail plates and hangnails.

How and when to cut a newborn's nails with scissors for the first time

No matter how familiar the process of cutting nails is for parents, cutting a baby’s nails for the first time is stressful. In fact, cutting the nails of a newborn is very simple and requires only attentiveness and composure from parents.

When to start cutting children's nails?

When the baby's nails will have to be cut for the first time, parents can only guess. Some children are born with long nails, and some have nails that are very soft and fused with the skin and you will have to think about cutting them in 2-3 weeks.

Pediatricians advise children who were born with long nails to cut their nails not immediately, but after 7-10 days. It is necessary for the nails to become stronger.

It also happens that a nail breaks off and brings anxiety and inconvenience to the child. Putting socks or anti-scratch guards on the hands does not always help; a broken nail can cling to them and irritate the baby.

If the nail breaks while at home, contact your nurse. She will tell you whether to touch your nails or not. It is also quite reasonable to ask the medical staff to trim your baby’s nails.

Trimming tools

Scissors
.Pliers
File

Scissors can be different; in the modern world there is a huge selection of scissors for babies on sale. With blunt ends, with balls at the ends - they are all different shapes and sizes. The absence of sharp edges gives parents less chance of injuring the baby.

When can you cut a newborn's nails for the first time?

After the baby is born, parents pay attention to his marigolds. In some children they are long from birth, thin and slightly curved towards the phalanges. There are cases when newborns are born with short nails, but they quickly grow back in the fresh air. Young parents are left wondering when should they cut their babies’ nails?

Pediatricians advise not to cut fragile nails until the child is two months old. If the plates are long at birth, they will break off on their own. To prevent the baby from scratching himself when flapping his arms, “scratchers”, rag bags, which are sold in specialized children's stores, are put on his hands.

At birth, the nail plate of babies is soft, the regrown nail is flexible. If not trimmed in a timely manner, it can dig into the soft tissue of the extreme phalanx and cause an inflammatory process, which can result in suppuration. Also, if you do not cut your nails from the moment of birth, they will take on the wrong shape, and this will lead to unpleasant consequences in the future.

Neurologists do not support pediatricians in cutting off overgrown nails from the second month of life. If you keep your baby scratching all this time, he will begin to develop physical abnormalities. By this age, babies have a well-formed grasping reflex; they hold their parents’ fingers with their tiny hands, try to grab small toys and rattles, thereby exploring the world.

Experts recommend purchasing scissors for cutting children's nails at the pharmacy. They are sharpened quite well, do not have sharp ends and cannot injure a child. Significantly smaller in size than for an adult, quite convenient to use.

Many parents, despite the convenience of scissors, still feel afraid when cutting their children’s nails. If desired, you can bite them off with your teeth. This way, mom or dad will feel how short they want to cut their nails and will not cause harm to the newborn baby.

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So, children need to cut or bite their nails with their teeth from the moment they are born. The procedure is repeated as they grow back. On average, fingernails grow faster than toenails and should be trimmed at least twice a week. On the lower extremities, this manipulation is performed less frequently, no more than once every two and a half weeks.

Parents need to take this event responsibly. Overgrown nails can harm the baby, scratch his skin, grow into soft tissues and cause inflammation. Microorganisms collect under long nails, which can enter the baby’s body through the oral cavity and develop many diseases.

To cut your baby's nails, just wait until he is fast asleep. During sleep, his body will be relaxed, and the baby will not be awakened by pulling out his hands, interfering with the hygiene procedure.

If the child resists and tries to escape, this can lead to soft tissue injury. Parents should calm the baby down before the procedure, hum a tune to him or distract him with a cartoon. Cutting nails should become a habit in the family, and the child should associate this minor, but very significant procedure for his health, with something good and cheerful.

Best time to cut baby's nails

It is important to guess the right moment to cut your nails. There is nothing wrong with postponing this matter for a few hours, or even until tomorrow, if the child is capricious and nervous. It is better to wear a vest with closed sleeves than to scare the child.

When is the best time to cut baby's nails? It’s very good if you can do this in your sleep. Carefully take the handle or leg, lightly press with your fingers on its finger and trim so that 0.5-1 mm remains. And the wolves are fed, and the sheep are safe. If the child is fast asleep, he won't even notice.

It seems that the baby's limbs cannot be secured securely. They are constantly on the move, and the slightest pressure causes them to cry.

There are proven techniques that will help you carry out manipulations quickly and without problems:

Work in pairs. One of the parents arms himself with scissors, and the other distracts the child with toys, conversations, and cartoons.
Ideal position. For the little ones, a position on the tummy is suitable; the arms and legs are bent at the joint one by one and all the fingers are treated. It's simple: the baby doesn't see what's happening and doesn't worry.
Dream. How to trim baby's nails? During a sound sleep, when the body becomes limp and the fingers relax.
Counting manicure. The game format is suitable for children aged six months and older: each finger has its own rhyme or story. Any poems and songs with listing.
By my own example. A child tends to imitate his parents - when he grows up, you can show him how his parents cut their nails and invite him to do the same. Just in case, you should not give your baby sharp scissors.

Having figured out how to cut a newborn’s nails for the first time, parents are wondering how often they will have to do the procedure again? Children's nails are trimmed as they grow, usually the need arises once a week - 10 days.

With such a procedure as cleaning the nose, parents also face difficulties for the first time. How to do this correctly and efficiently - read the next article.

Crescent or with corners: how to cut nails correctly?

Author:

pediatrician, children's neurologist Kovaleva Irina

1 minute

1544

The first is to cut your nails in a semicircle, which is what most of us usually do. The second is in a straight line, without cutting corners. The third - in a semicircle on the arms and in a straight line on the legs. But what is correct? Let's find out!

The shape of a crescent (semicircle) is a classic of the genre. Objections against it are based on the fear that it is easier for a nail cut in this way to take and grow under the skin. And an ingrown toenail not only causes pain, it also becomes inflamed. For a healthy person this may not be so scary, but for someone suffering from diabetes it can result in the amputation of a finger or the entire foot. And if you consider that half of people with diabetes do not know about their diagnosis and cut their nails as God pleases, and not “according to science,” and thereby put themselves at risk, the topic of manicure and pedicure takes on special relevance.

So is it really necessary to leave corners along the edges of the nail? Of course not!

Collage: MedNews

It is the corners that dig into the skin with their sharp tip, especially if the shoes put pressure on the toes, forcing the nail to go the wrong way. And in comfortable shoes you can get the same effect if you stumble out of the blue. The impact will cause the nails to bend, and the uncut edges will dig into the skin, causing infection to enter the wound and inflammation will begin.

If this happens, we usually act radically - we cut off the edge of the nail that has dug into the skin. This should be done after a 15-minute warm bath with salt, soda or a weak solution of potassium permanganate. Usually this is enough to forget about the problem, but sometimes the nail (most often on the big toe) continues to grow into the nail fold with manic persistence. And here tight shoes and stumbling out of the blue have nothing to do with it: the fact is that the notorious nail grows rapidly in width, but simply does not have time to lengthen in height. It is precisely this disproportion of growth that doctors explain the problem of ingrown toenails. Trim it often, without allowing it to injure the skin.

Sometimes you can come across this advice: try to lift the ingrown edge using a thick thread or flagellum as thick as a candle wick. It is suggested to do this to change the direction of nail growth: slip a flagellum under it and leave it for several hours, and then try to move it deeper. But if the problem is a disproportion of growth, then a flagellum cannot overcome it. You just need to cut the edge of the nail as it grows, that is, a couple of times a week, and in a circle, not in a straight line.