Nail Trimming Nightmare!

Use a file.

I cut my son (2) once, and could never take clippers to him again.

I do it while he's watching his favorite cartoon and zoned out. Just sit him on my lap and take his hands. I use the roughest adult nail file that I can find (usually the black ones that you find in professional nail salons). That way, you only need a swipe or two per finger before it's done.

This happened with my son around the same age. i let him eat a lollipop while cutting or after cutting his nails. He never eats candy, so this was a real treat for him. Now he forgets about the lollipop most of the time because he is use to it and no longer afraid.

You CAN master the art of holding a flashlight in your mouth and clipping at night like the rest of us! LOL Good luck.

You might try filing them down, it will take longer, but it's a thought........
Have you tried to ask him why he is afraid? Let him play with the clippers a bit and see if that helps......clip paper....make sure you stay with him while he has them!

Good Luck and take care.

Try doing it when he is asleep:)

Let them grow a little bit longer. It will get better. 2 is a tough year. Also try showing him that you cut your own nails. And Daddy too. That will take away anxiety. Another example - my son was thrilled when I put my cycle helmet on after he had been wearing his for a while.

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Hi,

I trim both my daughters' nails when they're asleep. I usually do so right after they fall asleep when the sleep is deepest. This way, they don't fidget or worry and I can do it slowly and gently. Best of luck.

AR
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I was always afraid they'd wake up if I did it in their sleep. My son was the same way and now I make sound effects as the nails come off and for some reason that works. He laughs at all the silly sounds I make.

I found that it helped to trim my own nails in front of my daughter first. Then she gets interested. However, this does not always work. It really depends on the day.

Do it when he's asleep. You won't have to hold his feet and hands so he probably won't even know you were there. If he notices his nails are trimmed, tell him the nail fairy came during the night...!

I would file them until he is old enough to trim his own nails.

Definitely try doing it during nap time or while he is strapped in his car seat.

<laughing> Yup. Common problem.

Asleep or TV

-OR-

Let him start "helping"/ "doing it himself"

My husband had a brilliant idea when our kids started balking at nail clipping. It goes like this: "If you let me trim your nails, then you get to choose which color you want your nails painted" (he then gestures to a plastic bag filled with many different colors of polish). As a result nail clipping time has become a looked forward to event rather than one filled with whining and anxiety. If you are not too keen on fingernails you could also just do toes.

Good luck!\

My son is the same way. I use adult manicure scissors. It is so much easier to trim with those plus no noise. Good luck!

When my son used to fuss over nail trimmings, I would sometimes do it while he slept.

My daughter never liked clipping her nails, even now at 6yo. She claims it "hurts". So i try to do it after shes had a bath/shower because the nails are softer after a bath. She does prefer the maincure scissors, they dont pinch.
Good luck! =]

Can you distract him with a little TV or do it while he eats or something? A sugar-free lolly? Sneak in while he sleeps?