Best Baby Nail Clippers

If you’re a new parent shopping for your baby, it might feel like there’s an endless amount of products you need to buy. Baby monitor? Check. Endless supply of diapers? Check. Those are all expected must-haves. But there’s one surprising essential you definitely shouldn’t overlook: baby nail clippers.

In the first few weeks and months of life, infant finger nails grow at a rapid rate. Within just a few days they can get long and sharp and require regular trimming to ensure that your baby doesn’t accidentally scratch her face or body. Whitney Casares, M.D., M.P.H., F.A.A.P., recommends checking your baby’s nails on the 3rd or 4th day after delivery, as this is usually the time when baby nail maintenance is required. After that first trim, you should cut or file your baby’s fingernails at least once a week, or more often if they grow faster than expected. (Toenails might require less frequent trimming.)

“Make sure to use a clipper specifically designed for infants, as an adult clipper might be too sharp or too wide to safely cut the nail effectively,” Dr. Casares says. You should also avoid biting or peeling your baby’s nails to keep them short. This is an old-school technique, but could lead to an infection. 

Different types of baby nail clippers

As Dr. Casares mentioned, never use an adult nail clipper on a baby, as they’re less precise and could accidentally nick your baby’s skin. Luckily, there’s no shortage of baby nail trimmers on the market — they come in all shapes, sizes, colors and with varying technologies. To help, we’re breaking down the different types of baby nail clippers to help you whittle down your search based on your needs, all of which are safe to use from birth:

• Standard nail clippers: These nail clippers are fairly basic, but are still distinct from adult nail clippers in more ways than just size. They tend to have a wider and more grippable handle so that parents can have more control while they cut their baby’s nails. They also tend to have blades that are more dull and that overlap to ensure a foolproof cut that is full and complete.
• Nail scissors: Just as the name describes, these are not nail clippers, but scissors, that work efficiently to snip your baby’s nails at just-the-right angle. They work in the same way as regular scissors, however they are significantly more dull and tend to have a more rounded tip and smaller blades. Just as with standard baby nail clippers, baby nail scissors tend to have a wide-grip handle that better facilitates their use.
• Electric nail trimmers: If you’re looking for the easiest-possible solution for grooming your baby’s nails, an electric trimmer may be for you. These battery-operated devices — which technically file, not cut — basically do all the work for you. Many come with an LED light that helps you see what you’re working with and ensures an even cut and a pain-free experience.
• Nail files: You can also find tiny, softer emery boards to use on baby nails. You can either use these on their own to file down baby’s nails, or to help soften sharp edges once you’ve finished using clippers or scissors. Just note that filing typically takes longer than clipping, so you might spend more time on baby’s manicure than desired.

How we made our picks for the best baby nail clippers

To create this list of the best baby nail clippers, we browsed the virtual aisles of top sellers in the infant retail space to find the best quality, top-rated and most durable options available on the market. We also relied on our What To Expect community members to find which baby nail clippers they found most useful and convenient during their child’s first year of life to ensure we were recommending products that real people use and love.