Can I cut the nails of a newborn baby?

Nails are tissues that grow in every normal person. When nails grow long, they need to be trimmed to the appropriate length. Therefore, cutting nails is a seemingly ordinary but necessary behavior in life. There are many traditional things to pay attention to when trimming nails. For example, the nails of newborns will also grow long and need to be trimmed, but traditional concepts prohibit trimming the nails of newborns. So, can the nails of newborns be trimmed?

During the process of raising their babies, many expectant mothers find that the nails of their newborns are already very long one month after birth. In addition, the newborns' hands and feet will move around and scratch uncontrollably, and they may even accidentally scratch the skin on their faces or other parts of the body, which may be infected by bacteria and easily lead to the occurrence of skin diseases such as eczema. Therefore, the nails of newborns need to be trimmed.

Generally speaking, the nails of newborns can only be cut when they are about four weeks old. Do not cut the nails of children who are too young. That is because the nails of newborns grow too fast after birth. Some newborns may even have very long nails when they are born, which is very detrimental to the baby's daily life. The frequency of nail trimming should be determined based on the length and growth rate of the newborn's nails. It can be done once or twice a week.

When cutting nails, be sure to hold the baby's hand firmly to avoid shaking and hurting the baby. You can also do it when the baby is sleeping. However, if the baby is accidentally injured, you must use sterilized gauze or cotton balls to stop the bleeding and apply some anti-inflammatory ointment to kill bacteria, so don't worry too much.

When cutting your nails, if you find dirt, do not use the tip of a file or other sharp objects to clean them. Instead, wash them with water after cutting your nails to prevent infection. In addition, the practice of "biting baby's nails with teeth" is very unscientific and undesirable, because it is not only not conducive to the growth and development of baby's nails, but also related to hygiene issues.

How often should you trim your baby's nails?

Babies are in a period of rapid growth and development. Their nails grow at an average rate of 0.7 mm per week. If they are not trimmed in time, the following consequences may occur:

1. Long nails are prone to harbor dirt and breed bacteria, becoming a source of disease. Babies who like to suck their fingers are likely to swallow bacteria and viruses into their stomachs.

2. Babies like to scratch everywhere with their hands, and their long nails can easily scratch their delicate skin.

4. Some babies like to clench their fists. If their nails are too long, they will leave deep marks on the palms of their hands and hurt the baby.

3. Babies are lively and active, but the nails of newborns are thin and soft. Once they are hit, the long nails can easily break, or even break into the flesh. In severe cases, they may injure the skin of the fingers.

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