My baby has dirty fingernails :(

[newmum234]

What is the best way to clean the dirt from under a two month old baby’s fingernails? I have an adult nail brush but the bristles are far too harsh...

Ive found that just a normal bath works with my little grub, but if you're struggling to get them clean, maybe a toothbrush rather than a nailbrush?

How did baby get dirty nails? Do you bath her/him every day? That, along with a top and tail wash at the other end of the day should be enough.

How did baby get dirty nails? playing in the garden, I'd imagine

How did baby get dirty nails? Do you bath her/him every day? That, along with a top and tail wash at the other end of the day should be enough.

I honestly have no idea - he’s only 8 weeks and hasn’t been anywhere dirty! I only bath him 2-3 times a week but thought that was enough? His hands may not be submerged for that long though; he splashes around quite a bit!

Use a baby toothbrush nice soft bristles.

@0blio that comment came across a little judgy? I’ve been told repeatedly by doctor, midwife and health visitor not to bathe my 7 week old DS daily as it’s bad for babies skin.

Massage vaseline or baby oil into the nails and leave for a while before wiping and washing out. Vaseline is particularly effective at collecting grunge.

At that age I used to use my teeth to gently nibble his nails to keep them short so that he didnt scratch himself - they were always too short to get dirt under them (at least I certainly never noticed any between baths). I also only used to bath him at the same frequency as you - any more than that isn't necessary or good for them at that age, don't worry about pp.

Could you just use your own nails to clean them out

I used my own teeth at that age.

cut the nails so by default dirt can't collect under them.

mine would scratch their own faces/necks and my boobs badly so I quickly learnt to trim them regularly. 2 birds with 1 stone

My 3 month old often has dirty nails because he keeps his hands clenched in a fist a lot of the time. I keep his nails very short, and if it's not a bath day I simply wash his hands in the sink with a bit of soap!

@0blio

How did baby get dirty nails? Do you bath her/him every day? That, along with a top and tail wash at the other end of the day should be enough.

@Oblio

it's don't dirt from mud or changing oil in the car, but as they chew on their hands and touch their faces so saliva, sweat & skin cells (and any creams, skin's natural oils) will collect under the nails. add fluff from clothes, blankets etc and they can end up with unsightly nails!

When my baby was 8 weeks old it was a very hot summer, and he used to keep his little fists all scrunched up. At the end of the day they would often be all sweaty and linty, and sometimes smell a bit cheesy!

@0blio

How did baby get dirty nails? Do you bath her/him every day? That, along with a top and tail wash at the other end of the day should be enough.

Yeah and dry his skin out while you're at it! Two washes a day is excessive no?

@Bimblybomeyelash

When my baby was 8 weeks old it was a very hot summer, and he used to keep his little fists all scrunched up. At the end of the day they would often be all sweaty and linty, and sometimes smell a bit cheesy!

Haha aww bless him 😄

I used to get my finger nail under his and scrape it out. Worked fine with them being so soft. No idea how they got dirty either

Babies get dirty nails from sweat, milk, parents skin cells, if you have been wearing a dark top…keep them as short as possible by cutting when baby is asleep and I use baby hair brush to scrub nails in the bath everyday