Bubs Nails - Do you prefer bite or Clip??

[chon]

I have an 8 1/2 month old DD whose nails are driving me a little crazy now. Now she is at the age she likes to suddenly grab at your face and anything else that interests her, her nails are becoming a real problem.

I have been nibbling/biting her nails off since birth but now she doesn't make it easy by constantly pulling her hands away each time I try to do it, even during feeding, which is when I usually would do it. I have contemplated trying it while she is napping but I don't want to accidentally wake her.

I am interested to know if clipping them is quicker? Also if you do clip them how do you make sure there are no pointy sides on each nail that she can still scratch with?

Thanks in advance

[Snacks]

Hey Chantal! We clip here. Natty's the same, makes it really hard for me to bite them nowadays. I'm usually able to only do one hand at a time - she watches me do it and is quite interested in the clippers (but only for a short time, hence the one-hand-at-a-time thing.) I just run my finger over each nail really quickly after I clip to check for sharp edges, but there aren't as many as when I used to bite them anyway. Good luck!

[PinkPalace]

chon
i cut dd nails with round edged baby scissors when she is asleep or i get dh to distract her. it means you dont have to put them in your mouth etc - she thinks i am just holding her hand.

[Pandora]

I use the round edge baby scissors too, but still have the problem of DS pulling his hadns away, no matter which way I try. I try to ensure there aren't sharpies on the corners, and when he is being a good boy he'll let me file them with a baby (I think its tommee tippee) nail file.

[nikbrad]

With Mackenzie when she was younger I would bite them and then moved to the scissors too. With Boston, his nails don't seem to bite as well so the MCHN suggested I use a buffer (not a nail file but a buffer) on them which has worked well. With Mackenzie I used the scissors regularly and now at 3 she just gives me her hands and feet as if she is getting a manicure!

[{sarah}]

Zander loves his manicures now as well!! When he was little though I used regular nail scissors when he was asleep, I had problems with the baby ones & hate clippers.

[Fi]

I bit Jenna's untilI stopped breastfeeding her (about 15m) and then I had to start using the clippers. She loves it now, but it took a while for her to get into it.
We do "where is thumbkin etc" as we are cutting nails.
I dont do to great a job on them to be honest. She is a real outdoor girl and breaks her nails alot. I have caught her biting them if they break, so I'd rather keep them short and snagfree so she doesnt develop that nasty habit

[chon]

Thanks for the replies! Seems common to bite at first then move to clippers. I am out shopping today so will pick up some childrens nail clippers and will look for a baby file as well.

I will let you know how I go.

[MantaRay]

I have cut both boys nails from birth. Jack was born with really long nails and the paed said to cut with scissors. He said that biting can cause infection due to mouth bacteria and I can't remember why he said not to use clippers. So scissors is all we've ever used. I accidentally cut Thomas once when he moved suddenly but that's the only time for either of them.

[visitor1]

I bit until Chelsea was about 2 months old... now i clip and she hates it!!! It turns into a real screaming match.....to clip her toe nails i put her in the high chair and she sits there and lets me do it.. then she gets a foot massage!

[Evie76]

I'm like MelanieR....... have always clipped - with those baby clipper things. Daniel was born with claws.

He doesn't mind it I suppose because I've always done it. I have also always clipped our indoor cat's claws to save the furniture. So, if he can put up as good a fight as her, I'd like to see him try.

[aussienic]

I either use little baby clips or the scissors. I personally prefer the scissors because they are easier to hold esp for my 2 youngest when I clip there fast growing nails..

they are "the First Years" brand.,

[August]

I put baby nail clippers on my gift list when I had my baby shower as I knew I would not bite off DS nails as I cant even stand the thought of biting my own! He has been scratching his face so I did them for the first time this morning after a feed when he is most relaxed. It went well, I just gave the ones that really needed it a quick trim. The buffer idea is great will keep that one in mind.

[Tracey]

Same as Fi whilst breastfed I bit/bite the kids nails & then DH does them with clippers as they are older!!!

[chon]

I havent bought anything yet as I don't know whether to get the clippers or scissors. I have been waiting for more responses to see what the majority use. Thankyou to those that have already

It seems to be pretty equal with scissors and clippers.

Do the clippers take more time? as I know she won't make it easy for me so the quicker option the better.

[Alan]

I suggest using a wooden emery board it is soft enough not to damage young fingers and it does not leave any sharp edges as biting or cutting can do

[chon]

Thanks Alan, I have some of them here! I will try today....when she lets me

Actually shes asleep at the moment, might try now

[Nadine216]

I just rubed them off when dd was born!! They were sooo soft. But now I use the baby clippers on her when she is sleeping. DH usually has quite the laugh, because I get myself into seriously pretzely positions to get to her little fingers without waking her. If she moves, I back off and wait till she settels and start again! For her toenails I go to my mom! She has these pair of clippers that look like a plier. It has great grip, so you can consentrate on holding that tiny wriggely toes!!!