ABOUT THE BABY

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8357, 18 February 1913, Page 5

ABOUT THE BABY

A foolish idea is often heard to the effect that babies’ nails should never be cut, but should be bitten off. There is no reason for doing this. The nails should be kept trimmed with sharp but blunt-pointed scissors, and the skin at the roots of the nails should be gently pressed back by using the corner of a linen towel and later- using an orange stick. If the nails seem very brittle rub well into the roots some cocoa butter or a little w-hite petroleum: this often prevents hangnails also. A wooden toothpick is the best and safest thing to clean a baby’s or a young child’s noils with. Alany children have the very bad habit of biting the nails. Putting bitter substances on the nails, having the child wear gloves and mittens, or even placing splints on his arras, so the elbows cannot be bent to allow the fingers to reach the mouth, are some of the means that should be tried to stop this injurious habit. Very often if an older child Is given a pretty little manicure set he may be taught to use it nicely, and will become interested in. the care of his hands and nails in this way. The toenails should also receive careful attention and be cut straight across about ouce each week after the child has his bath. This will often prevent ingrowing nails, which are so painful and many times are hard to cure.