It’s a curious phenomenon. Baby Finn hardly ever gets riled by anything. He’s ok with baths, meds, nose cleaning, doctor’s visits, even blood tests. I mean BLOOD TESTS! Where an actual needle goes into the flesh and there’s lots of blood coming out. The kind of test where screaming is totally legitimate, y’all. Till this day, I take a blood test and I’m like “ok hang on doctor, give me a minute to compose myself…”
Two weeks ago, Finn had to take a blood test to check for jaundice and I was standing there wincing on his behalf but this little guy didn’t even let out one squeak when the needle was going in. Even the nurse administering the test was amazed by how cool he was.
There’s just one thing that drives him completely nuts – fingernail trimming.
It’s bizarre. This kid doesn’t even flinch while getting pricked by a needle but when it’s time to trim his nails, he screams bloody murder.
In this sort of situation, there are two ways to handle it. One, you try to cajole and pacify, hoping that they eventually acquiesce without putting up a fight. But it’s a gamble because it may or may not work out after 20 minutes. Two, you go for the kill. It’s less pretty and there may be lots of screaming but at least the job gets done in a relatively quick manner.
I usually go for the second option.
Today was one of those dreaded nail-trimming days.
I held his finger steady and before the nail clipper made contact, he went hypersonic, shrieking up a storm. Kirsten has never heard him go crazy like this before so she came running into the room. I turned and saw her standing at the doorway with one hand covering her mouth, looking absolutely horrified, like “Good heavens, mother, what manner of madness is this?”
I could see why she was appalled. I had baby Finn in a stranglehold, grabbing his hand like I’m about to slice it off while he screamed and flailed like a stuck pig. The way he was yelling, I might as well have been brandishing a lightsaber instead of a nail clipper.
I was all “This is not what it looks like, sweetheart. I’m just trimming baby Finn’s nails.”
I could tell that she wasn’t convinced. She looked at me like “Yeah right, mom. I wasn’t born yesterday, you know.”
“No, really. I’m not hurting him. I have no idea why he’s so upset. How about you come help me cheer him up while I finish up the other hand?”
She came up real close to peer at him, then said “No thanks, I need to go play toys. You be careful with baby Finn’s hand alright?”
I actually thought I was the boss of them but turns out, now my parenting skills are being assessed. It’s tough being a parent around here.
20 Comments
“Good heavens, mother, what manner of madness is this?” is Totally what Kirsten would actually say!
Incidentally, she’s been watching Downton Abbey with me so I wouldn’t be surprised if she picks up a Brit accent..
I was trying to cut my baby’s nails today too but I accidentally cut a bit of his finger and drew blood. I gave up and made him wear mittens instead. I think he might have to wear them till he’s 7.
Oh man hope he’s ok! Haha babies are hardier than we think, just put a little antiseptic and he should be fine. :)
It was just a tiny nick, and it stopped bleeding quite quickly so I left it alone. Oops. Funny how I never thought of using antiseptic on it! Thanks for the tip!
Trim when he is taking a nap?
I tried it but he loves being swaddled to sleep and he gets startled when we remove his hands from the swaddle. And then it ruins his entire nap so I prefer to tackle it when he’s awake
we used to trim when baby was napping too, try it! you’re so lucky Finn’s such a cool dude. our daughter freaks out at EVERYTHING, except taking meds. I suspect it’s because she’s just greedy and thinks meds are yummy -_-
So cute! Speaking of meds, I once had to feed Tru and Kirsten TCM herbs and it was so brutal.
I trim at naptime or bedtime too. Its too difficult making Sophia stay still.
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I try not to mess with his naps as much as possible and besides, I have a pretty killer stranglehold so he can’t move at all.
I would go for the 2nd option too, get it over and done with!
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Exactly, right?! What’s that Chinese saying about short pain being better than long pain.. or something like that.
Try this, trim his nail when he just fall asleep. That way he will be too tired to care what you are doing.
Good idea.. Guess I’m just reluctant to mess with the sleeping in case he wakes up. Any time he’s asleep is too precious!
I still find it scary to trim nails! And their nails grow so fast..The funny thing with Natalie is , she will refuse to trim her nails and when I do gorgor’s, all of a sudden, she’s all like – me too mummy! Even when I’ve done her nails!
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She’s so cute! She must really look up to her brother :)
I used to breast feed and cut their nails :P Now I just turn on cartoons.
Superb idea! I think I might just give it a shot. That’s provided he doesn’t go into a frenzy and bite me while feeding!
Kids are experiencing accelerated growth, when they have a younger sibling to mind :)
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