5 Things to know about newborn toenails

If you’ve ever looked at a newborn baby’s toenails, you probably have noticed how barely there they are. There is good reason for that. In utero, a baby’s nails start to appear near the end of the first trimester, and finish forming in the third trimester. After birth, let them grow naturally until they need to be fussed with.

When cutting your baby’s toenails, it may be easier to do it when the baby is relaxed; either just after a feed or a nice warm bath. It is not advised to bite the nails as this can transfer bacteria from your mouth or tear the nail, both of which can promote infection. We recommend baby safe nail scissors or clippers, and that you cut the nails straight across.


5 things to know about newborn toenails

1. Baby nails are thin and soft at birth
   
2. Ingrown toenails in new borns are not uncommon. Watch out for redness, swelling, puss or fluid coming from toe.
   
3. Check for things that are too tight on baby’s toenails - socks, shoes, baby suits that are too small etc
4. Salt water soaks will help calm the toe down if inflamed or ingrown
5. See a podiatrist if symptoms continue