My little man is 6 months and I'm having a bit of a problem trimming his nails. I used to do it after I would rock him to sleep but I started letting him put himself to sleep a month or so ago and now he won't let me rock him. So I can't do it that way and he's been sleeping really light lately so I can't pick him up after he falls asleep. I trimmed them while he was awake tonight and it went ok 'til about the middle of it and then he wouldn't stop squirming and yelling. Any ideas?

I totally understand... I still try sometimes while my dd naps. Otherwise, I've found that she let me file them so that helps control things when she won't let me clip.
I've also found that when she's calm she'll let me clip a couple of nails but then starts squirming a lot. So I do two or three... then try again later in the day... Honestly sometimes it takes me two days to get all the nails clipped, but it gets done.
The key has been her acceptance of filing. That way if her nails are getting long and sharp I can at least hold of the clipping with a strong file for 24 hours.
Kind of chaotic I know... but that's what I'm doing for now.

I do it when I am feeding my DS. I put him on my lap, hubby holds the bottle, and I trim away. Take two people, but it works.

Hi All -

I'm new to this board, but saw this post and HAD to reply, simply to make everyone laugh!!

My daughter (who is now 3) was a real sqirmer when it came to trimming her nails. Luckily, I had a secret weapon - my now ex-husband is a professional juglgler. When it came time to clip her nails, he'd haul out his machete's and juggle for her!! It certainly kept her distracted, and I did the job up quick and easy.

As for this being applicable to other people, maybe not so much!! I think the key was the distraction, not the juggling. Try having hubby or a sibling bounce a basketball or provide some other really interesting distraction. It works great.

Cheers

AAAHHH, I'd like to get my husband to juggle with machetes! Welcome to the boards catherine.
I get at ds when he is asleep in the car.

As lililou said, a little bit at a time -- take what you can get! :) I have 5 cats and trim their nails, too... some let me do it all at once, while others take 2 or 3 sessions.

we always do it when my daughter is locked up in her high chair. i turn the tv on and let her watch tv and i cut her nails. sometimes (especially if she is cranky) i'll give her a treat like animal cookies or fruit snacks to keep her further occupied. yes, distraction is definitely key! :)