Anyone with a baby or toddler is all too aware of how difficult it can be to properly trim their tiny finger and toe nails without a struggle. The anxiety of cutting coupled with a writhing child can be frustrating at best and dangerous at worst. These 15 tips and methods, both traditional and unconventional will get you both through the chore with a smile.
1. Use small finger puppets as a distraction and de-stressor. Making the nail cutting part of a larger show amuses young children, and allows them to be part of the action. After each nail is cut (toes too!), slip on a finger puppet. When you are finished, have a little puppet show, or if time doesn't permit, do a quick fun song with the puppets. Keep a set of finger/toe puppets that are only permitted at nail clippings to preserve the novelty.
2. Let them help you. Children's nail clippers are far smaller than adult ones, and can be safely handled by older kids, when properly supervised. Allow your child to help you gently squeeze the clippers. Feeling as though they have some aspect of control can work wonders. Have your child pull off nails that are 'barely hanging on', or pick up clippings to put them in the trash. Letting them help you will invariably help them feel like an important part of the process.
3. Use a high chair. A high chair equipped with a flat tray is extremely effective at safely restraining a child, and elevates them into far easier reach for a big person. It also provides convenient all-around access to the child. You can lift your kid's hands from on the tray, or hold them up from behind the chair. Toe nails are a snap when sitting sit in front of chair, out of sight (the tray will block your child's view of you). Placed a toy or food on their tray as a further distraction.
4. Wait until they are sleeping. The old tried and true favorite, especially effective with babies. Be sure you are still firmly holding the infant/child in place as some babies/children have very sensitive or unpredictable startle reflexes.
5. Don't cut at all! Use an emery board and file any long nails down. Nail files are much less intimidating then traditional, shiny, sharp nail clippers, and safer too. Older children can enjoy taking an active role in this part of their personal hygiene and file their own nails.
6. Buckle your child into their car seat. You can take it out, or leave it in the car if space permits. The new, mandatory 5-point harnesses on car seats can restrain any fussing child, and keep them safe and comfortable at the same time. If your child is old enough to understand what a rocket ship is, make believe you are going on a space adventure and do a countdown from 20 to 1 with each nail, until you are finished, then blast off, out of the car seat.
7. Use a distraction you can count on. This can be another family member making faces, singing, or turning on a favorite television show or movie. As with the finger puppets (see Part 1 of this series; link below), making a special 'nail cutting only' distraction will guarantee your diversion is a sustainable one.
8. Use a slow, calm version of 'This Little Piggy' with fingers and toes to make the experience entertaining. Use the time you spend saying 'this little piggy...' to clip each nail before moving onto the next. Put the nail clippers down when you are finished and do a very big encore with lots of excited tickling when the job is done.
9. Offer a reward for sitting still and being patient. Bribery works, as any parent can attest to. And you can use just about anything, depending on the age of your child. Use small toys, a favorite game, a choice of snack or dinner, candy, a movie or even an outing after their nails have been cut.
10. For a toddler who enjoys being pretty, promise a pretty nail polishing after you have finished cutting. Head to a dollar store, and let your daughter choose a couple of her preferred colors for each time there's a nail trimming needed.
11. Give your child a relaxing hand and foot massage with lotion before and after the clipping. Use lavender scented lotions and creams that will sooth them. This will soften up the nails you need to cut and the little person as wella well relaxed child makes for a quicker cut every time.
12. Make cutting your child's nails an established part of the routine. Whenever it may be, try to cut your nails at the same time or in the same setting. Children thrive on routine, and when they know what to expect, they are far more apt to remain calm and cooperate.
13. Make a mini-manicure/pedicure kit with your child. Head to a department (or even a dollar) store and let them choose their own pair of nail clippers, nail file and perhaps their own small tube of lotion (the travel sized samples at drugstores are ideal). Pick up a fun zipperedcase as well to keep their 'supplies' in.
14. Double up. If you and your spouse (or older child) can physically make it work safely, take a set of digits each. Cutting the finger and toe nails simultaneously halves the time required to do the job. This tip works well when combined with #3 (using a high chair); one adult can easily hold a child's hand steady from behind while another sits in front of the feet and clips the toe nails.
15. Keep cool. Anxiety and stress are contagious and children are the first to 'catch' them both. Take a deep breath before you begin and smile! You're in charge. It'll all be over shortly. Remember, it's nail clipping, not brain surgery. If things get too intense, for either of you, take a break.
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