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It is fun to apply nail polish to babies' piffling toenails and fingernails. Infant nail polish may wait adorable, and many moms honey to twin with their footling one on special occasions with matching nails. However, it should be considered whether smash smooth is safe for babies and whether there are nail polishes exclusively for babies?

It is recommended to utilize non-toxic and condom nail polishes for your baby. Near standard adult nail polishes and paints may incorporate chemicals that are harmful to babies.

Read on to know nigh the safety of baby blast shine, the correct age to use nail smooth, and the dos and don'ts.

Is It Condom To Paint Baby'southward Nails?

The condom of smash polish for babies depends on its ingredients. Standard blast polish could contain ingredients, such as toluene, which are toxic and could crusade a host of problems, including those affecting the nervous organization (1). Another potentially harmful ingredients nowadays include plasticizers, hardening agents, and solvents.

Babies tend to put their hands in oral fissure,increasing the risk of accidental ingestion of blast shine and its harmful chemicals. Some blast polish chemicals, such as formaldehyde, may even cause allergic reactions, such as contact dermatitis (2). Therefore, blast shine meant for adults is potentially dangerous for the babe.

If you wish to use nail polish, yous may consider those specially fabricated for babies. These nail polishes are not-toxic, have a balmy smell, free from harsh chemicals, and have a h2o-based limerick. They are also usually free from potential allergens, such as gluten, soy, and fauna-sourced by-products.

When Tin can You Paint Your Baby's Fingernails?

You may paint the baby'due south fingernails after they have stopped the habit of sucking at their thumbs and fingers.It reduces the risk of accidental ingestion of nail shine. Thumb and finger sucking unremarkably stops in toddlerhood —betwixt the ages of ii and iv years (three). Also, toddlers betwixt these ages are likely to sympathize instructions better, and, thus, tin understand that nail polish is for external use only. Then, it is recommended to avoid nail painting until subsequently your baby crosses the two-yr mark.

When Can You lot Pigment Your Infant's Toenails?

Since toenails are harder to achieve, some babies may not suck at them at all. Babies who suck at toenails may end doing and then by the historic period of 12 months, which is when they begin walking with support (cruising) (4). Go on a lookout man on your baby to meet when they stop sucking their toenails. Once they practise, yous may use nail polish on their toenails.

Nail Shine Chemicals That Might Be Toxic For Your Baby

A nail polish meant for adults could contain several toxic compounds. The following are some of the notable potentially harmful chemicals oftentimes nowadays in standard nail smooth.

  1. Toluene: It is the most ordinarily used solvent and stabilizer in nail polishes. Long-term exposure to toluene could lead to respiratory issues and nervous system disorders and developmental issues (one). Exposure to even minute amounts of the compound may induce headache and dizziness.
  1. Dibutyl phthalate (DBP): DBP is an odorless emulsifying agent that ensures the flowing consistency of the nail smooth. It is considered carcinogenic, and prolonged exposure to this chemical may increase the take chances of liver and kidney disorders (5).  It has likewise been linked to reproductive issues. The chemical is banned in several countries.
  1. Formaldehyde: It is often added to nail polish to aid its hardening. Formaldehyde likewise prevents the flaking of dried nail smooth. This chemical is considered carcinogenic (nasal and lung cancers) and is an irritant to the center and respiratory tract. Information technology may also lead to skin irritation (6).
  1. Camphor: It provides the boom polish a glossy look for a long time. The compound is considered a neurological toxin. The ingestion of fifty-fifty minor quantities of the chemical compound could increase the risk of disorientation and seizures among babies (vii).
  1. Triphenyl phosphate (TPHP): Information technology is added to nail polish as a plasticizer, which is a compound that keeps the blast polish thick yet flowy (8). The compound could increase the risk of skin allergy on pare contact. Also, accidental ingestion may affect the liver, kidneys, and nervous arrangement (9).
  1. Phthalates: These are added as plasticizers to blast polishes (10). The chemical compound could cause skin irritation and may adversely affect diverse organs, such as the liver, kidneys, and lungs (11).

Smash polish meant for babies is free from these compounds and thus safe. Nevertheless, check for the ingredients on the smash smoothen bottle. You may even contact the manufacturer of nail polish for babies to know more about the product's specific ingredients.

Dos And Don'ts While Painting Your Baby's Nails

Here are a few things to keep in listen if you take decided to pigment your baby's nails.

Dos

  • Keep the baby still to avoid adventitious rubbing of pigment on their bodies.
  • Avoid accidentally dripping the nail smooth on the babe's wearing apparel to minimize pare contact.
  • Use nail polish in a well-ventilated room so that the nail polish fumes and fragrance does not persist for too long.
  • Endeavour choosing low-cal or transparent colors every bit they might not tempt your babies to suck their fingers.
  • Boom smoothen application should be reserved for special occasions. Polish-free catamenia allows nails to regain their normal color, wet, and texture.

Don'ts

  • Do non keep the blast polishes within the baby'south reach.
  • Let the paint dry out before you leave the baby. Do non leave them immediately after applying nail smoothen.
  • Practice non let the paint come in contact with the skin around the nails and the fingers.
  • Repeated application of even non-toxic nail shine could damage a babe'southward delicate nails. Hence, practice non apply nail polish often.

How To Paint A Baby's Nails?

Hither are some tips to follow to have a smooth smash painting experience with your babe.

  • Place the infant on a high chair earlier application. It will allow easier access to the fingernails and toenails. Place a toy in front of the baby or talk to them while applying boom polish. Apply to ane mitt at a time. Hold the mitt while the nail polish dries to forbid accidental ingestion. Older toddlers could too be taught not to ingest the nail smooth.
  • Paint the nails while the infant is asleep . It could be a good option if your baby ofttimes attempts to put their fingers in the mouth immediately later on application of the nail shine. Exercise make sure you place a cover beneath their nails to forbid your bed sheets from getting dingy.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why doesn't nail polish stay on my baby's nails?

The water-based nail smoothen meant for babies tends to chip-off sooner than standard smash polish meant for adults. Also, children tend to be agile with no regard for their painted nails. Thus, the pigment may not stay for long and fall off before long.

2. Can babies go to boom salons?

You can accept your babe to salons that specialize in painting a baby's nails. Salons meant for grown-ups tend to accept nail polishes and other products that are unsuitable for babies and toddlers.

If you love to see your little i'due south nails painted, then make sure that the nail polish yous choose is gratis from whatever toxic chemicals. There are several babe-friendly nail smooth brands in the marketplace that use natural ingredients. Some manufacturers even guarantee that their products are costless from a number of fundamental toxic chemicals by labeling their products as three-gratuitous, five-free, or 7-gratis. Nevertheless, always exercise adequate research before picking a nail polish for babies and check its ingredients earlier application.

Fundamental Pointers

  • Not all boom polishes are safe for babies since some ingredients can be harmful. Y'all may utilize boom polishes specifically made for babies.
  • You may avoid boom smooth in younger children who oft bite or suck their fingers, or until two to iv years of age.
  • You may apply non-toxic baby blast polishes on toenails since they cannot mouth it. Nonetheless, it is not recommended for infants who suck their toes.

References:

MomJunction's articles are written later on analyzing the research works of skillful authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. Y'all can learn more nigh the authenticity of the data we nowadays in our editorial policy.

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Dr. Pooja Parikh is a pediatrician whose medical journey has taken her from Rajkot (PDUMC) to Vadodara (SSGH) to Bombay (Hinduja & Breachcandy Hospital). Currently she is actively involved in critical, intensive and general care of 0 to 18-year-olds in the port town of Gandhidham, where she was born and brought upwards. She believes that a doc should be involved... more

Rohit Garoo is a zoologist-botanist turned writer with over 8 years of experience in content writing, content marketing, and copywriting. He has also done an MBA in marketing and human resources and worked in the domains of market research and e-commerce. Rohit writes topics related to wellness, wellness and development of babies. His manufactures featured on several notable websites, including... more