Nails

The key to good nail care is keeping finger and toenails short. This helps keep them clean, prevents your baby from scratching himself or others, and prevents nails from breaking and tearing.

Newborn babies’ nails are very fragile, so resist cutting them for the first few weeks. If they’re very long, a pair of scratch mitts will keep him from scratching his face. After a few weeks, you can start using baby scissors with rounded ends or special clippers. Avoid cutting too close to the quick.

Remember to check older children’s toenails regularly – small children’s nails grown very fast, and unless they’re in open-toed shoes in summer you may not see much of their feet, so be sure to have a look at bath time and check whether trimming is in order. Ill-fitting shoes can cause all sorts of problems for growing feet, including in-growing toenails, so be sure to have your child’s shoe size measured regularly.

Remember that most babies and young children dislike the feeling of having their nails cut, or may be afraid of scissors, so a good time to try and do this is when they are asleep. Keeping a pair of scissors handy (in the car, for example, for when you take a long journey and your baby or toddler might have a nap). To see how nail care is carried out, watch the gurgle video how to trim your baby's nails.

The information on this feature is intended for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional.