Any Tips for Cutting Toddler Nails?

I had this same problem out of the blue and also still do at times over the toenails. I think that as imaginations start they think of cutting and literally think you are going to cut them. My son watches me cut my nails and toenails and the whole time we talk about why we need to ( will scratch your face or someone else, etc.) and I reinforce how nice it feels to have short nails and how there are no germs on them (he is a germ freak). Also he loves his puppy and to watch me cut his nails he sees that it only benefits him. Then those really bad times like cutting the toenails sometimes bribery is the only solution!

When my daughter started to hate getting her nails cut, I started to file them with a nail file... That seems to work better, and I don't have to worry about cutting to short as she squirms around... Hope that helps!
C.

Have you tried cutting his nails when he is asleep? It worked for me.

That is about the age that my son started to hate his being cut, and they grow really fast. He loves to sing and dance and so I made up a little song, it goes...
Be a good boy and let mommy clip your nails, be a good boy and let mommy clip those nails, look there, oh no there it goes, yea hunnybear, repeat... I even let him act like he's cutting mine and he loves it...Hope it works if you give it a try, let me know

Hey J.,
Sorry this is late but I found these nail clippers that are about he same size as the toddler clippers but they come to a point. I think they're suppose to be for cuticles but they seem to get me into the nail quicker. Both of my kids like to help pull the nails off. It may sound funny but I first did it on my nails... both fingers and toes. I would cut the nail until it was hanging on by the tiniest piece and then let them pull it off. All kids like to feel like they're helping out and it makes it easier for me to let them pull off the nail. I even have them tell the dog that's it's okay and have them pet the dog while I'm cutting his nails, LOL! Just in case you're wondering, no, they do not always want to help but when they are in a good mood and a helpful one, it's great! Good Luck!

Kids are now five and two.

I heard on the SUPERNANNY that you could put a finger puppet on each finger after it was cut. Then you could make up stories or sing songs when you have the ten puppets in place.

try to cut his nails AFTER bath - that always worked for us :)

I still cut my son's nails most of the time when he is sleeping!!

Hope that helps!
S.

I used to sit Indian Style (now known to our kids as "criss-cross, apple-sauce") and sit my daughter with her back to my chest. I'm going to assume you're right-handed, you can then put your left arm either under his left arm (or putting over it will contain his arm) while you hold his right hand to trim. Sitting this way, you can also use one of your crossed legs to gently hold him in place. It sounds kind of like a contortionist, but it's not, trust me, I'm not that flexible! Anyway, best if you can get some to help you hold him while you are both sitting in this position so you can really focus on trimming the nails. If not, you can clip the nails this way. Also, I found it easier to use a regular size nail clipper instead of the baby one, especially as the nails begin to thicken as they become a toddler. It was quicker and it cut more precise. Seemed the baby one would also make the nails bend while trying to clip them.

L.