If your almost one-year-old is anything like mine, then cutting his or her nails is the equivalent to completing a workout with Jillian Michaels.
In order to make it a little less of an ordeal, I put her in the high chair.
Then I don’t expend a super-human amount of effort trying to keep her from wriggling out of my lap.
She still doesn’t like it, but at least she can’t reach her feet to try and rip the clippers out of my hand when I cut her toenails.
If you have any nail cutting tips, I’d love to hear them!
I waited until they were asleep. This also works for taking out splinters and pulling teeth without the panic attack of a 7 year old to contend with. Good luck!!
I’ve also done the deed while they are asleep with one of those forehead headlamps attached to my head (like a miner). Looks ridiculous, but works well. I’ve cleaned cuts, applied ointments, and even cleaned out ears all while #1 was snoozing. However, #2 is a light sleeper so this doesn’t work so well with her. Then again she doesn’t mind having these things done. Go figure.
The experts tell you never to do this but I did. Granted I had my first baby at seventeen but I was a great little mommy. I took one look at those scissors and those itty bitty fingers and I flat out freaked. No way! If he jerked away I might cut his finger or toe off! So I chewed the nails off. I was careful not to rip or tear the little nail or to leave any rough pieces that could snag. It worked great for me. I never heard not to do this until years later.
I use the highchair too! But I always put irresistible snacks in front of him so it takes him a minute to notice what I’m doing to his other hand. I do the feet first so he can’t see what I’m doing. It always ends in tears though, so does brushing his teeth. Hope this phase passes quickly!
As babies I cut their nails while they were asleep. Now that the twins are almost two, I bribe them with mani/pedis after I cut their nails. It’s amamzing how they sit still knowing that sparkly ocean blue nail polish is coming their way!