Nail Cutting - There Has to Be an Easier Way!

C., that is a very lively age, and it's not surprising that her agenda and yours don't always match. Have you tried cutting them in her sleep? Even if you could just do one or two a night, it'd be a much easier time. E. (mother of three, and owner/director of Middleton Baby and Child Care).

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I cut my son's nails while he is sleeping. It is so easy for me. He has even opened his eyes, looked at me, and then just closed them back again. He will fall asleep in the car, so I am ready to pull over (safely) and cut them enroute. I plan to have to cut them sometimes like that during a road trip somewhere just to get them cut because he can't stand for me to cut them while he's awake. I even do it after he falls asleep in his crib at night. It works out great for us.

Good luck.

R.
First time mom of 21 month old boy.

1 mom found this helpful

I had a difficult time also with my daughter. My solution was to keep the clippers in the car and anytime she would fall asleep I would park and then clip her nails. It worked great since in the car she was sitting upright and I had easy access to her hands. I hope this helps!

I have that same problem with my 17 month old. The only thing that has worked for the last 5 or 6 months is to put on a baby einstein video and have him sit on my lap. I can usually cut his finger and toenails in one sitting without too much squirming. Maybe this will work for your little girl.

We started having trouble with our son around 9 months. We've actually taken to cutting his nails while he is in his highchair. The toenails are typically VERY easy because he can't reach his feet and he is distracted by his finger foods.

For the fingernails, we make sure there are plenty of favorite finger food snacks and then hold one hand up and we stand at the back of the chair. The you switch hands.

I know this SOUNDS sort of elaborate, but it isn't and it works pretty well most of the time.

We have never cut our son's nails while he sleeps and he isn't always a heavy sleeper, so we leave him alone when he is snoozing.

Hope this helps!

Good luck.

--N.

You could try to cut them when she falls asleep at night.

Both my daughters were like this. It was such a pain, lol. The best time for me to trim their nails was right after they fell asleep. Otherwise, like you, I'd end up trimming a nail here, two there, whenever I could. As my girls got older and started wanting their nails painted (right before age 2) it became much easier. Hang in there, I know how frustrating this is! :)

The trick that worked well for me from a friend of mine was offering to give her a little manicure. Tell her that you'll paint her nails only if she gets them trimmed first. There are pretty light pink polish that dries quickly.

I've never had an issue since.

Have you tried to cut her nails when she is sleeping? That is what I used to do with my babies. But, I will say that I was very lucky because my three have always been very heavy sleepers! Good luck with it!
L.

I too have a squirmy 9 month old boy who doesn't care for his nails to be cut. I've found that if I sit him on my lap and give him a toy in the other hand, then sing twinkle twinkle little star he will let me cut his nails. I don't always get both hands cut in the same night but give it a try. Good luck.
D.