Hi moms! This is the second time that I have done this. I cut my 9 month old daugter's middle nail WAY too short. There is practically nothing there. The last time I did it, it grew back with a very short nail bed and a lot of the "white" nail. I'm afraid that her nail will be permanently deformed now. Have you done this before and does the nail grow back ok? I don't want my daughter to have awful nails when she gets older! Thanks!
I actually asked my Dr. about this and he said it has no bearing on what their nail-beds look like years from now. The body is an amazing thing and luckily we can't screw it up that easily (lucky for my kids anyway!).
Dear J.,
I'm sure your daughter will be fine, but have you tried filing instead of clipping? They make files for babies and my kids preferred that to the scary clippers.
It tickled when I did the toe nails, so we made a game of it with "This little piggy" and I might only get one or two done at a time, but if they jerked or startled, I didn't have to worry about clipping too short. That happened with my son once and I was afraid he'd never forgive me. So, I tried the files and it worked much easier.
Just a suggestion.
Best wishes!
Don't worry. I bite my nails wayyyy too short sometimes and it hurts but grows back.
I also had a really bad wart in my tweens all around the nailbed of one finger which caused my nail to grow all ridged but once the wart was removed, the nail grew out nice and that is one of my nicest fingers actually.
It may take time, and the anguish you feel is what helps you from doing it again (but I'm sure you'll do it *at least* once more!! I always seem to!!)
Yes, it will grow back. Put some neosporin on it, keep it clean and don't worry Mama.
Blessings......
Greetings J., Let me say that as the mother of 5, I have learned it takes much more than that to harm a childs fingernail growth. But I would caution you to be more careful and aware of what you are doing and when you are doing it so that an infestion can't set in from gettingso close to the nerve. I recently tore my nail and thought it would never stop throbing. Nana Glenda
Well, that "Mother-of-the-Year" award is gone now! Just kidding. I've done this to most of my 5 children. Other than traumatizing me, they all were fine. I still hate clipping nails, even though they're a little bigger now. Take care & Happy New Year!
Hey there. Poor little one. Not sure that it will grow back deformed but I would use a glass nail file so that I won't accidentally cut into her skin. That is always scary. Worth a try. Other than that, I'm sure all will be well. : )
