Trimming newborn fingernails – when, how, and how much?

Written on 10.01.2024

You have a tiny, perfect newborn baby, with equally tiny, perfect fingers. But while your precious newborn’s skin is delicate, make no mistake – their fingernails can grow fast and get very sharp!

Is there anything more daunting than approaching your little one’s wiggling fingers and toes to trim their nails? Scratch mitts don’t offer much protection and, apart from the fact they might hurt themselves, even the smallest cuts create a risk of infection. So, while your baby is tiny, you’ll need to become a pro at cutting their nails.

Here, we share tips on how to get their nails super soft while also keeping their fingers and toes safe. It’s time to get clipping!

Why are baby’s nails so sharp?

Baby nails are quite soft. They break easily and don’t have anything like the thickness of adult nails. However, this easy breakage can contribute to their sharpness – rough edges snag easily on soft skin, and scratches on newborn skin look much worse than they do on more robust, grown-up skin.

Fingernails start growing very early in baby’s development – towards the end of the first trimester! So, by the time they make their appearance, their nails are probably already long enough to warrant trimming.

When can I start cutting my baby’s nails?

You can cut your baby’s nails whenever you need to. This might be quite soon after birth if they have particularly sharp nails and are scratching themselves. Newborn babies don’t have good control of their limbs just yet, so are liable to scratch themselves without intending to. You will probably find you need to trim your baby’s nails within the first few weeks of their life.

Is it better to file or cut newborn nails?

There are pros and cons of filing vs clipping baby nails. Trimming with special round-ended baby nail scissors or clippers is more daunting because it carries a small risk of injury to the baby. But it is quick (if you manage to catch your baby at a good moment!) and gives a good result that will hopefully last a few weeks. Filing with a small, soft emery board, however, is a low-risk option – no cutting required – but takes longer, requiring your baby to be still for longer.

What is the best way to cut a baby’s nails?

Whether you’re filing, clipping or trimming newborn fingernails, you need your baby to stay still. When your baby is tiny, the best way to achieve a quick, (literally and figuratively) painless nail trim is to catch them while they’re sleeping. In particular, if they fall asleep in their car seat. The car seat puts them in a good position for nail cutting – relatively upright, with hands and feet available.

For best results, plan ahead. Keep your nail-cutting tool handy – in your changing bag, perhaps – and if you’ve decided today’s the day, dress your little one strategically, with socks or booties rather than a sleepsuit with feet attached so that you have access to fingers and toes. Remember that toenails grow more slowly than fingernails and so will likely need cutting less frequently.

Don’t be tempted to lean into the back seat to do this job, though. Make sure you’re positioned nice and close to your baby in a spot with good light, so you can see what you’re doing and react quickly if your baby starts moving.

If a car seat manicure isn’t possible, enlist some help. Ask your partner, a friend or a family member to hold the baby securely so that you can concentrate on their hands and feet. It’s not advisable to try and cut their nails while they’re lying in their cot or Moses basket, just in case they move unexpectedly.

Can you cut newborn nails with nail clippers?

Yes, nail clippers are a good way to cut baby nails. But don’t reach for the ones you keep in your bathroom cabinet. You need specially designed baby nail clippers, which are better proportioned for baby nails – both narrower and longer, and with a much better grip, giving you good access and control. Some brands even come with a built-in magnifying glass, so you have an optimal view. Alternatively, you can buy baby nail scissors, which have a rounded end to avoid poking your baby. Remember to cut toenails straight (i.e. not rounded) to avoid ingrown toenails developing.

How short should newborn nails be?

Newborn nails should be trimmed so that the sharp edges have been removed, but you can still see a sliver of the nail whites. Don’t cut so short that you cut into the quick. It’s better to have to cut them regularly than to cut them too short, which might be painful for your little one.

You might find after a first cut you can keep on top of sharp edges with an emery board, but it depends on how your little one takes to have a manicure. You’ll find a way that works for all of you.

Help! I cut my baby!

It happens to the best of us. Don’t panic. Don’t beat yourself up. Just press a clean compress on the wound to staunch any bleeding. It will heal quite quickly. Don’t put a plaster on the cut, as there’s a risk it could end up in your baby’s mouth – even if it started on their toes! – and be a choking hazard. If you’re worried about infection, talk to your health visitor or GP.

I’ve cut my baby’s nails, and they’re still scratching themselves

Even when you’ve done all you can to declaw your baby, sometimes they still manage to injure themselves. Try putting them in a sleepsuit with sleeves that turn over their hands, preventing sharp nails from meeting the skin. These work much better than scratch mitts and will also keep your baby cosy.