filed in baby
That Mom: What happened to my grandson’s face?
That Wife: He gouged himself. Again,
I am tempted to start drinking formula, because I suspect it might be the answer to my weak/slow-growing fingernails dilemma. I can’t seem to keep up with them! His face usually has at least one scratch from where he attacked himself.
Because he keeps his chin tucked so much, his neck is a breeding ground for rotten milk. It’s pretty disgusting.
One of my new favorites of him.
I'm a mid-twenties SAHM/part-time photographer currently living in Chicago. My husband is from Poland, my son was born in April of 2010, and I'm LDS. I write frequently about parenting, adventures in the kitchen, my faith, and photography. I post daily because I love checking my inbox for new comments, so please take a moment to say hello!
You can also find me over at Jenna Cole, my photography site. If you like to smile and laugh then I would love to take your picture!
August 11th, 2010 on 8:48 am
He’s such a strong little man, isn’t he? Love his tongue sticking out. So cute!
Reply
August 11th, 2010 on 8:49 am
I’d be scared to have to cut their nails. I think I would invest in a filer, I’ve heard too many “horror stories” of people drawing blood by accident.
So good luck dealing with it.
I guess at the rate he’s growing it’s no surprise his nails do too.
Reply
Sarah for Real Reply:
August 11th, 2010 at 9:14 am
I was just going to say that too!
I love seeing all his little facial expressions!
Reply
August 11th, 2010 on 9:14 am
My pediatrician actually recommended to me when Jack was a baby that the best way to deal with infant nails is to BITE them! Totally makes sense… you can feel with your super-sensitive lips where the nail ends and the skin begins, so there’s far less danger than with even the baby-specific clippers. Dot’s nails grow super fast, too (and she’s a breast baby), so we bite her nails off every few days.
I’ll admit, though… it’s less about her scratching herself than her scratching ME! My whole chest would be clawed to ribbons if I didn’t do it.
Reply
August 11th, 2010 on 9:32 am
Ugh, Kate’s nails grow so fast, too! And not only does she scratch herself, but she scratches me, too! I have as many scratches on me as she has on her. I tried to file her nails, but it is pretty challenging because she flails around. Also, I am relieved to know my baby is not the only baby with milk neck
She hides all sorts of gunk in the folds around her neck — gross!
Reply
August 11th, 2010 on 9:35 am
He is adorable!
Reply
August 11th, 2010 on 9:46 am
Oh Jenna… don’t worry Breastmilk does the same thing. I cut Baby M’s nails at least 6 times in the last 3.5 weeks. I mean, he doesn’t scratch his face but rather mine and my boobs. lol
Reply
August 11th, 2010 on 10:25 am
Yea, I bite Molly’s nails, too. It may sound gross, but it is much easier/less stressful than trying to cut them. They don’t bother her, but when she’s flailing her arms around and scratching my face and chest, it’s pretty annoying. I try to get them when she’s eating because she is distracted.
Reply
August 11th, 2010 on 11:05 am
I can only cut T’s nails when she’s asleep, since she’s so wiggly. My MIL told me that they seem to grow so fast because they don’t engage in any sort of work with their hands like we do, so they don’t get worn down as ours do. And honestly, it makes since with how fast the rest of them grows.
Reply
Crystal Reply:
August 11th, 2010 at 10:08 pm
I’m still cutting my toddler’s nails at night. It’s so much easier.
Reply
August 11th, 2010 on 11:57 am
What a cutie! I think baby nails grow faster than kid/adult nails because they don’t really use their hands much so they don’t get filed down just by doing regular day-to-day stuff. So, you just need to not do anything and you’ll have lovely long nails!
Reply
August 11th, 2010 on 12:13 pm
The WHOLE BABY is growing fast! lol. I don’t think it’s just the nails.
Reply
August 11th, 2010 on 12:22 pm
They won’t stop growing quickly any time soon. I have to cut Eli’s nails at least once a week and I’m pretty sure it’s my least favorite thing to do. I’m not sure I ever would have thought to bite the nails, haha, but I guess that makes sense! I did cut Eli’s thumb when he was just a few weeks old and I was horrified, but I haven’t cut him since.
Reply
August 11th, 2010 on 12:53 pm
I have the same problem with Baby A. She always has little scratches from those sharp little nails. And I end up being scratched quite a bit too!
Reply
August 11th, 2010 on 3:54 pm
My friend cuts her baby’s nails when he’s sleeping to avoid all the wriggling.
Reply
August 11th, 2010 on 6:25 pm
Ha! Let us know how that formula / nail growth experiment works out.
Are we supposed to be holding you accountable to taking pictures of the two of you? Haven’t seen one in a few days …
Reply
August 11th, 2010 on 6:33 pm
Fingernails, yes… but is it just my baby or do the toenails like, NEVER grow? Baby Fink’s 11 weeks and I’ve never had to trim his toenails once, except one big toe and it kind of peeled off by itself. Weird, no?
Reply
August 11th, 2010 on 6:42 pm
B’s nails grow like weeds. I just cut them with a clipper when she’s eating. She’s super still and in a great mood because she’s eating.
As for the neck, I put Baby Powder (cornstarch) on her neck. I usually do it once a day when I’m changing her diaper I lift her chin up and dump a lot out, smooth it over her neck and down into the opening of her onsie and it works well. Plus she smells great.
Reply
August 11th, 2010 on 7:22 pm
Wow, I never thought about biting off a baby’s nails, but it sounds like a great idea! The idea of cutting them with tiny clippers scares me.
Love the pictures of T1 with his eyebrows raised a bit. They show so much personality!
Reply
August 11th, 2010 on 7:44 pm
i don’t comment too much, but i do enjoy reading!
i just have to say how beautiful your son is! really! he could totally be a baby model for anything, he’s just gorgeous! great work
Reply
August 11th, 2010 on 9:16 pm
I CAN *NEVER* KEEP UP WITH HJ’s FINGERNAIL GROWTH.
you are not alone, sista.
Reply
August 12th, 2010 on 3:16 am
I used to make Marcus clip Isaiah’s nails while he was eating… Then one day he was calm enough to let me do it. Now I feel accomplished when we’re done! So glad to hear that Isaiah isn’t the only baby with the neck problem!
Reply
August 13th, 2010 on 8:00 am
Seriously. T1s expressions are so awesome. I clicked over to your blog this morning just because I needed a little pick-me-up. Mission accomplished!
Reply