When can you paint baby’s nails?
Painting your baby’s nails can be a fun and creative way to bond with your little one, but it’s important to keep a few safety guidelines in mind. Knowing when it’s the right time to start painting your baby’s nails is essential.
Ages 0-3 Months
At this age, it’s best not to put anything on your baby’s nails as they are very fragile. To ensure your infant doesn’t scratch themselves, you can keep their nails clipped short as needed or cover them with miniature mittens.
Ages 4-6 Months
Around this stage in their development, it is ok to start introducing paint to your baby’s nails. However, this does not mean to leave them unsupervised while wearing the polish. During this stage, it’s best to use a “breathable” nail polish, one that doesn’t seal the top of the nails.
Ages 7-12+ Months
Once your baby is standing and running, it’s ok to start using the “conventional” nail polishes on their nails. Before allowing them to go out wearing the polish, make sure that:
- The polish is completely dry – to avoid smudging, allow the polish to completely dry before dressing your baby.
- Read the instructions and age restrictions – conventional polish does contain chemicals that could be harmful to small children if ingested.
- Remove the polish when it starts to chip – if the nails start to chip, it’s best to remove the polish as the particles can some times get into the eyes.
Safety Tips
It’s important to remember that your baby’s nails are very delicate and they require extra care when trying to beautify them. Always keep the following tips in mind:
- Keep the products away from your baby – Make sure products like nail polish remover and the polish bottles are kept away from your baby at a reach they can’t get to.
- Avoid cuticle oils or removers – Cuticles are part of your baby’s natural protection against bacteria and should never be tampered with.
- Never use acrylic nails on your baby – Acrylic nails have chemicals that may be harmful to your baby’s sensitive nails.
Painting your baby’s nails can be fun for the both of you, as long as you pay attention to the age of your baby and take the necessary safety precautions.