Is There an Problem With Nail Care With Children?

If you’re having a second or third child and are focused on spreading out the work of tying tiny pink nails to a sheet, there are a few great baby-related topics you should definitely tackle before your third child arrives: nail care, sleep routines, and how to reduce that annoying “Momma sigh.” Yes, you will sigh more than you want to!

According to Dr. Amy Baldwin, M.D., an Atlanta-based pediatrician, the number one thing she hears from parents is that their toddlers have bad nails. It’s true, and it’s a real problem.

According to Dr. Baldwin, little hands and feet have a hard time doing what they need to do, which is very troubling to parents. “By the time you’re in kindergarten, the nail beds will have shortened in diameter,” she told POPSUGAR. “Nails are very sensitive to injuries from hands and nails and it takes time for the nails to grow back to the size they should be, and you have to nurture the nail beds to ensure that they grow back to their normal size.”

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When it comes to the problem, according to Dr. Baldwin, some children develop issues with their nails and sometimes, they must be surgically removed to save their limbs. Dr. Baldwin suggests parents never shower with little ones and give them limiting access to the shower. She also recommends always removing nails first and the backs of hands as a safety measure. She also said it’s critical to wear gloves and avoid nail clippers as much as possible.

As far as how to fix the problem, Dr. Baldwin suggests kids are given small rubber bands to tie their fingers together at the top end. They should also have those nails trimmed before going to sleep to prevent them from hanging down from their nails.

“If they are tiny they can be cut lightly with scissors,” Dr. Baldwin said. “And by taking away even some of the nail growth on the fingertips, they are at a better probability of having beautiful nails and nails down the road.”

Finally, Dr. Baldwin offered tips on how to minimize your breathing when your tot sleeps. For breastfeeding moms, it’s important to realize that breastfeeding mom has the same issue as most moms — eating. That is how you can tell when your fussy baby won’t be able to get into a swaddle blanket and needs to be in a bed or cot.

You may find your baby sleeping just fine in a swaddle blanket, but if he’s not getting enough to eat, you will reach the happy hour point. “If your baby wakes in the middle of the night, having one or two bottles may not help,” Dr. Baldwin said. “The first thing a baby needs to eat is a good solid breakfast and at bedtime, babies will sleep best if they get one more treat. So breakfast in bed may actually be a good idea.”

According to Dr. Baldwin, morning exercisers can help babies get back on track by doing a few calisthenics throughout the night. “Lying down, tightening your stomach muscles while you do all the different exercises will help the blood flow to the baby so he feels comfortable to sleep.”

Oh, and if you still have trouble with new baby sleeping patterns, Dr. Baldwin suggests your mom friend move over to overnight duties. “Just like moms with teenagers, mothers are trying to figure out how to keep kids with constant sleep schedules when they’re young,” she said.

For some mothers, snuggling with their babies on a sleep mat will give them a new lease on life. It makes the transition from babies to toddlers a little easier and easier than wrestling with the endless change of a little one.