Cut newborn’s finger tip, feel terrible

[User24763]

Posting here for traffic

I stupidly used the baby nail clippers to cut my 4 week old’s finger nails. I’ve learned my lesson to use the nail file only!

Unfortunately I cut the tip of his finger with them. He was so upset (so was I) and he bled for 10 mins or so. He is now quite happy.

I’m so worried it’ll get infected. What can I do to avoid infection? Pic attached

I did this on my middle one! It's definitely more traumatic for us than for the little one. He's a happy 5 year old now (and still moans about having his nails cut)

Baby will be fine. In the unlikely even of an infection you are.looking for redness, swelling, smell or pus (but it's not likely)

Just keep it clean with fresh water. Boiled and cooled. It will heal quickly. Baby finger nails are so delicate, don't really need trimming or filing. It wasn't on purpose so be kind to yourself about it.

Don't beat yourself up OP I did this when my second son was a few months old. Omg I was a mess, but he was absolutely fine. It just healed as normal.

We have all done it at some point. Just keep it clean and dry.

I'm another mum who has done this ( twice in fact)!

Go easy on yourself, your baby will be fine !

Oh dear, I think I managed to do this with all of mine at some point! Just wash it with soap and water (and rinse the nail clippers too).

Observe for signs of infection in the area (swelling, redness, heat, pus) but it should be fine.

Me too.
It's devastating to accidently hurt a tiny baby- but it happens.
Infection v unlikely.

After this a neigbour who was a nurse advised me to bite a baby's nails short. File also good.

Forgive yourself: you didn't mean this to happen, and baby won't remember. If this is the worst mistake you make with your baby, you're doing fine.

We've all done it, I think. I didn't sleep the night I did it, I kept getting up to make sure the bleeding had definitely stopped.

I'm sure it'll be ok I'm a couple of days, they heal so quickly at this age.

Thank you everyone! Thanks for what to look out for for infection. I will keep it clean with cool boiled water then dry it.

Should he sleep with his hands in or out of his sleepsuit mittens tonight?

I was for cancelling all of our weekend plans and cuddling him all weekend I felt so awful! I’m just glad it was me who did it and not DP. I’d never have forgave him!

It'll be ok. Put some Sudocrem on it.

I've done this too, a couple of times! Just keep it clean and dry. It will be fine in a couple of days. I'd leave mittens off (if it's warm enough) just until it scabs over so it doesn't collect the annoying fluff that likes to stick to healing wounds.

Savlon will help keep it infection-free.

I did this too both of mine it happens - as I suspect will other things down the line that is part of parenting life. Forgive yourself and when he invariably does something your DH

I did this a few days ago and felt awful too, so you're definitely not alone!

But it is all healed now already - I can't even see where the cut was anymore.

Sudocrem will soothe it, you could put a bit on under his mittens.

I managed to do this with both kids when they were newborns. Dd when she was less than a week old! I cried!

It'll be all healed in 48 hours. Baby skin heals so quickly. No need to cancel weekend plans!

My Husband did this to our PFB 12 years ago, it was, obviously, all absolutely fine. We still talk about it though.

Ahhhh, we did it too. A rite of passage almost! I got the file you stick on your thumb - think it's called a Thumble? After that

I don't know how all you numptys have managed to butcher your babies, and some of you multiple times!!4 kids here and not done this .

Oh give over 🙄

Well aren’t you parent of the century! Thanks for your helpful input

Hardly butchered.

My dh has never done this because...he never trims the dc's nails. If you are the parent who trims the nails, you are likely to make this mistake at some point. Babies and small children squirm around and have tiny nails to cut! It's a difficult task and it needs to be done at least fortnightly. You're bound to nick them at some point

I've done it, sudocream is the way to go. Don't beat yourself up.. it's not like you did it on purpose. Extra cuddles will help you both x

Most of us have done it ( except superwoman upthread )
It will soon heal! My kids are adults now and I still remember how awful I felt when I nicked DS1. He does not remember!

I did this to my eldest almost 25 years ago. I cried longer than he did, and I still think about it. Pretty sure he’s not held it against me though.