Tricks to Cutting a Toddler's Fingernails

Wrestling him may only increase his anxiety and make it worse for you next time.

What works for me (my daughter is pretty resistant to nail trims, too):

* We have two baby nail clippers. I give her one to play with while I use the other.
* I tell her that she can use the clipper I'm using (which is the one she really wants) when I'm finished--"Mama is going to use it first, then you can use it."
* I clip a few at a time each time I change her diaper, change clothes, before/after bath, etc. She's patient for just a few only.
* When I'm finished, I let her "clip" my nails. We say "chook! chook!" each time we "clip," to add sound effects. :-)

I don't know where I got this from, but you can try making or buying some finger puppets. After each nail is trimmed you put on a puppet. They look forward to getting more puppets and they can play with them afterwards. But only use them for nail trimming, not everyday play time. (Otherwise they won't be a big deal.) Good luck!

I use a nail file (emry board however you spell it) on my 2y/o's nails. He hates the clippers, but will sit and watch me file them, plus I do it why we're rocking watching TV before bed... Or when he's asleep even!

The singing a song works sometimes... I also have noticed that my son LOVES tools and machines. So if I allow him to push down on the clipper with me, while I have the cutter on his finger nail... he feels he is doing all the work. I just have to line up the nail to be on the inside of the clipper... and I say, okay, 1,2,3 push... and we push down together. (Granted he doesnt know I am really the one doing all the steady handwork.
Much LUCK!

My son (23 months) will only let my husband cut his nails. Its something they do together as part of quality time. My husband cuts his first while my son watches, and then since he wants to be just like Daddy, he lets him then cut his too. Works for us, good luck!

I clip my daughter's nails while she is watching a movie. She gets really locked in so she is more focused on the movie then what I am doing and she is more likely to sit still.

My son also hates the clippers. My sister in law actually peels her daughter's nails, so I tried it. Young children's nails are so thin that tou can actually pinch the end of the nail and just pull it across. It works really well and it doesn't hurt them. It's a lot less scary for them too. Good Luck!

I always give my boys (who are 18 months old) something to play with that they can handle with one hand while I clip the nails on the other hand. I try to do this while they are sitting in their highchairs after eating...that works well for clipping toenails too. Good luck!

Have you maybe tried singing a counting type song...such as one little, two little, three little indians?? Or The Farmer In The Dell...to where you can add animals with each finger perhaps? Also, a little bribery could do the trick. :) Good luck! Make it more fun some way and maybe you will get better results!
Roxanna

I file my daughters nails instead of cutting them because I am afraid that I will cut her. It works well and she does not mind the file because it tickles.

You can try doing it when he is napping.

How i got my son to like getting his fingernails clipped i would sit him on my lap with his back against me and i would clip enough to the point when i let him pull the rest off, he loves when i clip his nails. YOU CAN ALSO TRY CUTTING THEM WHILE HE IS IN THE TUB

WOW, 75 responses so far...you probably don't need another one, BUT I count as I clip my 2 1/2 yr. old son's nails...
1....2....3.....4.....5 you get the picture, he likes to count with me OR I say, "do you have any monkies under your fingernails??" while he looks..I clip! That works too!

Hi N.,
I too have a 27 month old and 4 month old, both boys. Anyway to cut my older sons nails, we make it a game naming the fingers. I ask him: "Show me your pointer finger, show me your ring finger, etc." I also let him help me with my guidance of course;). Getting him involved helps instead of me just coming at him to cut his nails. Hope this helps. By the way are you in Ballwin? We just moved here from Chicago and I will be looking for a daycare in the fall. Are you in love with yours and is it close to Ballwin?
Thanks,
K.

We had a child who hated to let us cut his nail. He was a sound sleeper so we started doing it after he fell asleep. He also had a few hair cuts sitting on Daddys lap sound asleep. Not the best hair cuts! Ha Ha!

Dear N.-- It's been over 20 years, but I would cut my son's fingernails when he was asleep. He was a very sound sleeper (once we got him to go to sleep), so I would just wait him out, and then cut them (sometimes by flashlight) when he fell asleep. J.

Wait till he is alseep! It worked with my son...

Find something that will capture his attention while you're cutting his nails. A favorite show was something that worked with our little girl. Since we didn't watch tv alot, she would become engrossed in the show and sit still so I could cut her nails. If there are two of you available, have one read a book and the other cut nails. That helps too. Good Luck!

PS Cutting while she was asleep never worked for us. It always woke her up no matter how deep a sleep she was in.

Can you cut his fingernails when he is asleep?
K. S

It sounds stupid but I usually wait until he's in bed asleep and I cut his nails then. Sometimes he still squirms even in his sleep but it gets the job done.

Hi N., I go through this with my daughter and I started whispering in her ear while I am cutting her nails and I try to cut them as fast as I can. She loves "secrets" so I just start whispering and then she pushes her head towards me so she can hear me better. Hope this works for you too!

Cut his nails while he sleeps!

I echo the advice to cut them while he is in the high chair. We have twins (40 digits to keep trimmed!) and they seem to do better when I am facing them when I clip. They squirm when I sit them in my lap AND grab hold of their hands. I'm not sure they object to the clipping--maybe it's the immobility that freaks them out. SO the high chair works because I can face them and they are sitting still.

Why don't you just cut his nails when he is sleeping. In theory it would be great if we could teach our kids to tolerate necessary activities like nail-trimming but pick your battles. I cut my 2-year-olds nails when he is sleeping and I still have to cut my 8-year-old daughter's nails when she is sleeping too. It's just easier for the both of us that way!

I pretend like the clippers are an alligator and he's hungry and wants to "chomp chomp" some fingernails. I make it fun not scary. I realize some kids, my niece for instance, would have freaked at that approach, but it worked for my kids. My 13 month old giggles when I clip his nails.

Why don't you try cutting them while he's sleeping?

Wait until he is asleep and be very gentle and quit.

I have never had this problem before. If I did I guess I would just cut them at night when he was sleeping. Hopefully he will get over it.

If you give him a bath and let him go to sleep, the nails will be softer and he will be unaware.

Have you tried doing it while he's asleep?

Hi, N.. I try cutting my daughters nails before bathtime. I think it helps to have it as part of a routine. Also, you can make a deal and say one hand before bath- one hand after. You are still getting what you want, but they feel like they have a little more control over the situation. Good Luck!

Just cut a couple each day. That way it doesn't take too long and they will stay short if you make it a part of your daily routine. I cut my son's while he is watching tv but I still only get about 4 done before he is squirming so we do four a day and it keeps them short.

Good luck,
D.

I have to wait until my son falls asleep and then I turn the lamp on and grap the clippers, otherwise you're right after a few fingers they are squirming about. Hope this helps, E.

My daughters used to squirm and whine that it hurt when we cut their nails. After checking that we really hadn't cut them, (they were just using it as an excuse) we started having them watch a TV show or movie. They get so mesmerized by it that they aren't paying any attention to what I'm doing.

watching a baby einstein or another video during the process always made it easier for me. And/or give him a reward, like a sticker or a stamp on his hand afterward and praise him for being so good.

Do it outside so you can keep distracting him with things to look at, such as "Look at that bird!" or "Do you hear a puppy?". Also, there is no law that says you must get all 10 done at once. If you get 3 done in the morning, get 3 more done in the afternoon, and get the last 4 done tomorrow, it is ok!

My son was the very same way. We cut his nails after he fell asleep and it worked great. Fortunately, as he grew older, he allowed us to cut them when he was awake. Good luck!

I had the same problem - sometimes he would sit still and sometimes not. We would handle in several ways. Daddy would hold him, while I cut them, I would do it while he was sleeping and sometimes do it while he takes a bath. Luckily he grew out of it, he is 3 now and he will sit still and let me cut them. Good Luck!

I always waited until they were in a deep sleep. It was alot easier then for me.
C.

I have been told to cut their fingernails when they are asleep. That is what I did went my children where babies. I hope this helps you.
G. R.

My middle child was always the one who wouldn't sit still and would fight me. Most the timeI did it when he was sleeping......other times I would just make silly sounds or make up a silly song to distracted him.

Let me just say I cringed when people first told me to do this....but I must admit it works! I was informed that the easiest way was to bite your childs fingernails! TO me this seemed wrong on so many levels but I finally tried it and now it is pretty much the only we go. I usually do a little "trimming" While we are cuddling before bed time so he is already calmer then during the busiest part of the day. Hope this helps!

Wait til he is asleep.

N.,
They are easier to cut when they are fresh out of the bath since it has softened the nails. I have always found it easiest to have the child on my lap, faced out, so I can have my arms around the child. For some kids it has been enough to sing counting songs or itsy bitsy spider, or I know its not the best option, but bribery sometimes works? A distracting video that they can be absorbed in while you trim the nails = ) I always cut my kids nails after the bath and close to bedtime, that way it was almost like a snuggle on moms lap before bed than something scary.
Hope this helps! I haven't read the other responses but I have come to expect great things from all the moms out there!
Good luck!
B.

I think I saw a couple of others respond this way...but do it when he's asleep. Just wait until he is sound asleep and voila they are cut. We did it with my oldest that way. Eventually as he gets older it will get easier. Good Luck and God Bless.

try setting him on your lap in front of the tv with one of his favorite shows on. that will keep his mind off of what you are doing. or sit with him on your lap and sing to him a familiar song like the abc's. i have used both these techniques with all three of my children and it works. good luck!

I have always done the kids nails after they fall asleep, it is much easier and less stressful for all of us!

I cut my son's mails once he was sound asleep. (This is also when I would cut his hair, one side at a time!) Now that he is a bit older, he will let me cut his nails; his job is to file them (a very fine grit block). He holds the block and waits for his turn. I of course file them a bit later if need be, but he feels "very important to help!"

You probably know this, but you might try cutting them while he's in the bath or immediately after because then they are softer. It also doesn't make that irritating grating noise which might be bothersome to him. Also, I used to sit my dauther on my lap and have a book open to look at/I'd read, while I was cutting her nails. Good luck!

My first thought is to cut them when he is sleeping. If that wakes him up, then try to get him interested in what you are doing and maybe he will let you do it. Show him your finger nails, then show him how you trim one of your own. Show him his own finger nails, talk about how long they are getting, and then show him how you can make them shorter. Maybe he will let you do a few at a time. Make if fun and interesting for him.

Good Morning N., I am not sure how she does it but one of our daughters in law's can do it in a flash and no one whines or squirms. We had trouble with the same issue, for our other 3 yr old gr son. Gen was trying to trim them up, and the battle was on! Aunt Bethie said let me try. She sat him on her lap with him leaning against her she started talking to him and showed him what she was doing with a litle story. Less then two minutes she was done and he was down playing again. Now we all can trim them and not have the squirmies. ;)

For her little guy almost 8 mo, she either trims them right after his bath, or while he is taking a bottle falling asleep. He is relaxed and doesn't curl his hands shut or seem to mind at all.

When your little guy starts squirming and ya have to hold him down, stop and wait until later to finish up. Just tell him your not done, but he can go play for a little while then you will finish trimming his nails a little later.

Good Luck N., hope you find something that works for you.
K.

N., You might try cutting the fingernails while your
son is sleeping.

Cut them while he is asleep.

Try when he's been asleep for 15-20 minutes. He'll be in a deep sleep at that point and won't know you're there! I've always done this for my almost-one-year-old and have had great luck with it. Hope this helps!

We use a little bribery in our house! I get out a favorite treat that he does not get on normal occasions and while I trim his fingernails he gets his treat. If he gets down, the treat is taken away. My son is a bit younger than yours but he knows that as long as he is sitting still letting me clip then he gets his treat. This has been a lifesaver for us and we typically use "special" fruit snacks to keep him still!

Hope that helps!

K.

N., I gave up fighting with my Daughter, who is now 3 1/2, about 2 1/ or 3 years ago. I just cut them while she is sleeping. It is probably a lot easier to trim your 4 month old Daughter's fingernails than your Son's. Try while he's asleep, it's funny sometimes she fights me in her sleep to, at which point I stop and continue the next time she falls asleep. Good luck!
M.

I have always heard people say, do it while they are sleeping. But I believe they need to learn that this is something that needs to be done. I would recommend allowing his other hand to be on your, so he feels he has some control. My 2 year old thinks he is helping. If your child is a sound sleeper and you do not wish to battle then give it a try. But eventually he will have to learn to handle it

If he is a sound sleeper, the do it while he is asleep would be great. Mine is not. I distract him. I also agree that you don't have to get all 10 toes and all 10 fingers done at the same time. If he will only stay distracted for a few at a time, do it that way. Much better than wrestling and potentially cutting him.

Do it while he is asleep.

My son has the same issue with cutting his nails. I tried to do it when he slept, but that just woke him up. Now I do as many as he'll let me, then later do a few more. It seems to be the easiet, pain free way for us.

if you have to, maybe cut just a couple at a time. it might have to be an every night ritual, like during his bedtime routine, after he brushes his teeth or something. mine gets the same way, and sometimes it's just easier to let him go once he's figured it out, and try again later. good luck!

Try to cut 2 finger nails at a time and then tell him that you are gonna give him a little break...then come back to it about 10 minutes later. Reward him with something that he likes even after the first 2 nails - like a cookie, but break it in 1/2 or quarters and tell him that you will give him the rest of it when he gets 2 more done and so on... I always like to pretend that I am cutting my toe nails... (I have "fake" nails so I cannot cut them), but I say "Louie, watch Mom cut her toe nails. he gets really interested and then trys to cut his own - it's cute. he is 2 y/o at the end of this month. Then when I do cut his nails, I always say after ecah trim on one finger "OH Louie, you are such a big boy - GREAT JOB SWEETIE...almost done, hang in there" With this encouragment and a couple of cookies I am now able to get all 10 cut in one sitting. If the nice approach doesn't work, then get tuff. That is what I would do. Good Luch N..

Wait until he goes to sleep....

What I've tried that has worked a couple of times is sitting my daughter (21 mo) in front of the computer on my lap (I usually put our family photos on slideshow) and she'll be too busy naming off her family, she forgets I'm doing them. I can get them done fairly quickly. Good luck!

See if he wants to "help" you, and count as your cutting. I sometimes have the same problem and he usually stops squirming when he thinks he's helping me cut his nails! Make a game out of it, kids enjoy doing anythig if they think it's fun!

I always trimmed my kids nails as they slept! They never know. I did it with my youngest until he 7 or 8 because he hated having it done. I had to quit when he started waking up.

We wait until our 8 month goes to sleep and then one person holds while the other person cuts. Seems to work for us!

Maybe just do a couple then let him run around a minute, do a couple more, let him run around agin, etc... Or, you could try a hand game. I play a shadow puppet game where you open one hand wide so that you can see the shadow of al the fingers on the wall. My other hand I make into a "bird" where my fingers and thumb tap together (like a sock puppet). You could cut one finger and then the "bird" eat the the worm (the finger whose nail was just cut). When the bird eats the worm I fold the worm finger down. I don't know if I did such a great job explaining that? One more idea is to make him a special smoothie with a fun straw he can drink while he's getting his nails cut. He could hold it with one hand while you do the other. He only gets the special drink during nail cutting. I know it's totally a food bribe, but I think every now and then it's okay.

Good luck! I hate cutting my son's nails too!

Wait till he is asleep and cut them or try when he is in the bath tub since the nails are softer then. You are also the parent so you are in charge. Talk to him. There is no reason to cry and fuss, your nails need to be cut.

I always clipped my kids nails when they were asleep.

I always had the same problem with my little boy from the time he was a baby. I consulted with a nurse who told me to wait until he was in bed for the night (not during a nap). Once he falls asleep, wait 20 minutes, and then go in to do the cutting. He should be in such a deep enough sleep that you won't wake him. Have your husband hold a little flashlight while you do the cutting and filing. It's hard on your back at times, but the process goes so much smoother than when he's awake. I hope this helps you!

I have that problem with my 10 mo. old. I used to cut them when she slept but now she sleeps on her tummy with her bottom up in the air and her hands under her chest. (Adorable and hilarious at the same time.) The only thing that's seemed to work for me is to cut as many as she'll let me - usually around 1-3 - and then wait until later in the day or the next day and do a few more. It takes a couple of days to cycle through and I feel like I do it constantly, but it's the only way I've found to make it work.

If you can't do it when he's asleep, distract him. I sit on the front porch with my daughter so she can watch people walk by.

Do It while he is sleeping.

That's easy, wait until he is asleep. It works like a charm.

try it when he's asleep or give him something to look at in his other hand or a show that will have his attention while you are doing this.

I usually sat them in my lap and cut them. It seemed to be an easier angle to get them better and the kids didn't get so squirmy. My kids didn't seem to mind me cutting them so I didn't have to try any other methods.

If that doesn't work, try cutting them while he is asleep. I have heard other Mom's talk about that's when it worked best for them.

Hi N.-

We do it when he's asleep, that's the only way he'll let us do it! Good luck!

M.

Hi N.,
We've had the same problems with our two toddler girls. I have recently been waiting for them to take their afternoon nap before I dive in with the "manicure". But if they go to daycare, this is probably not possible. Does he ever fall asleep in the car? Perhaps you could take along the clippers on the next "longer" excursion in the car. Also, I've tried after the bedtime bath when they're usually calmer... I'll lotion and lightly massage my 13-month-old until she is very relaxed, and then I can cut at least 3 or 4 nails this way. Then, I continue the next night or the next afternoon nap. Hope this helps,
K.

Well, this is just an echo of what everyone else is saying, but ....... do it while he is asleep.
If that doesn't work for you, get an older, more experienced Mom or Grandmom to do it for you !
Kids will usually do better for someone else for some reason. I can't count how many times I have done this for others, and I really don't mind being asked to do it.

try cutting them when he is asleep..

I've known people who do it when the child is asleep..or maybe try it after his bath when the nails are softer, maybe he's fussing because it hurts if the nails are softer then it may not hurt. I know with my son he's fine with the fingers it's the toe nails that he can't sit still for...he's really ticklish!

Wait until he is completely asleep. That is the easiest. If he is completely asleep he is relaxed and generally won't wake when you causing that little bit of movement to his fingers, hands and arms.

Have Fun!

I've had this same problem with my 2 year old until about 2 months ago when i was told to sing the ABC's while cutting her fingernails. Surprisingly, it works great with her and an extra bonus is shes learning too. Every once and a while she'll get a little squirmy but i just switch to the birthday song or the barney song and it keeps her occupied for a while longer. Good Luck!

Do it when he's asleep...that's what I did with my daughter.

When my daughters were infants, the only way to cut their nails was while they were sleeping. This would sometimes span numerous naptimes or bedtimes, but I did it for a few years until they were able to sit through being awake for nail trimming...

The only thing that works with my 15 mo old is if I sing to him while I trim the nails. Maybe it's because I never really sing to him or my singing voice puts him in shock. :) Either way, it works for us.
J.
www.jessicagrimm.com