12 week old and nails as sharp as claws

[Meerka]

I've tried everything I can think of - filing them (once he's asleep, he moves his hands too much otherwise). Nibbling them myself. Very carefully clipping him but I caught his skin once so I don't want to do that again.

Whatever I do they're so sharp! he scratches the top of his head and tears the skin, he scratches me when bfíng and cuts the skin. Filing them very carefully for 30 mins helped slightly for like 24 hours then it was back to nails like that guy from Friday 13th, only attached to tiny cute little fingers.

Any one found anything that helps?!

Clippers worked best for us. I did cut dd once and felt awful but read that it happens to everyone once! if you can do it while they are asleep or partner can do it while you are BFing then he is less likely to wriggle.

I don't think there is a perfect solution sadly!

Scratch mitts while bfeeding? Or some babygros have integral ones.

Found the nails go softer after a bath. So would give him a daytime bath and put dd on the sofa with bright daylight for her nap after bath and clip away.

Now she prefers to be distracted by the tv and watches it and sits still while I clip away. I found filing made them sharper and thinner so more prone to scratches.

I remember holding my breath when doing it. she was little and I had clipped her once accidentally but it has never happened again. Since then I always do it in good day light

My db is convinced that it's easier to cut tiny baby nails with scissors rather than clippers. I'm far to scaredy to do that but it might work for you?

Otherwise I think it's just practise. My 17 week old ds needs his nails cut 1-2 times a week and I've become an expert at it through forcing myself to do it. Also helps if you can find something to distract them - I find the tv works well.

hmm thanks, ill try scratch mitts and scissors. when i think about it, I think that they got sharper after filing too. also more prone to naturally tearing a bit which made them jagged-edged. Ouch!

Socks are great to use instead of scratch mitts at night I found because you can pull them up high. My DS could always escape scratch mitts!
I've always used scissors when he's asleep. He's 1 now and they still need cutting about 3 times a week!

Ah, tell me about it! My DDs are like little talons. We found that cutting them with baby scissors then filing down the sharp bits work. It is a relentless task though!

We were recommended putting vaseline on them every day to soften them but this was nearly 12 years ago so it's probably a no-no for some reason now
Did it religiously after I nicked her finger trying to cut them one day - completely traumatised me.

I thought the same, he'd escape from mitts, so I've just ordered these. fingers crossed they'll work!

thanks everyone :)

Clippers here - DD2 was born with tallons and they grow incredibly fast.
DD1 learnt the word "incentive" very young owing to DH's technique of offering bribes (chocolate buttons usually) to sit still while her nails were cut. The pattern was well established before I found out about it!

Clippers during a feed. Now she's a toddler it's a right chore. I practically had to sit on her yesterday to hold her down

I use little baby nail scissors from Boots - they are ace, and much better than clippers, for me, anyway. DD is 11mo now though and wakes up if I try and trim them while she's asleep, so it's not got much easier!

tried cutting the claws with scissors nervously and they've been better the last two days. They're starting to get sharp again tonight tho!

Can see I'm going to have to become quick, dexterous and cunning to get the better of him!