Chapter 6 – A Perfect Manicure

A newborn’s nails, although tiny, grow quickly—about 0.1 mm per day—and it’s easy for the baby to scratch themselves unintentionally, especially since in the first few months they don’t yet have full control of their arm movements. Some babies are even born with long nails, which is why in the past hospitals used to put mittens on newborns to prevent them from scratching their faces. Today, however, science tells us that touch is a fundamental sense for newborns. Through their hands, they learn to know themselves, discover the world around them, and, most importantly, reestablish skin-to-skin contact with their mother.

The best solution, therefore, is to learn to trim their nails early on, even if it may initially seem difficult or intimidating for new parents. Fingernails should be trimmed about once a week, while toenails—growing more slowly—can be trimmed once or twice a month. During the first 2–3 weeks, when nails are still very soft and fragile, it is recommended to use a cardboard nail file, gently rubbing it along the edges. Later on, you can switch to using special baby nail scissors with rounded tips or, even better, spring-action baby nail clippers.

To prevent the risk of infection, the tools used for trimming should be washed and disinfected after each use.

Nails should be cut following the natural contour of the fingers, preferably with a straight cut that protects the sides to avoid ingrown nails. At the same time, it’s important not to trim the nails too short—it’s best to stay a bit away from the nail bed to avoid cuts or bleeding.

For the same reason, it’s advisable to choose a well-lit and comfortable place, and to trim the nails when the baby is calm. The best time is after bath time, when the baby is relaxed and the nails are softer. Once you’re done trimming, a gentle massage of the fingers with a few drops of almond oil can turn the experience into a wonderful moment of wellness.