My 12 month old has had issues with is big toenails ever since he began crawling (and now he's walking some). He likes to walk with his toes curled under sometimes and has his feet weird when he's crawling. Because of this it's too hard on the toenails making them bend in all different places and often breaks/cracks all the way down to the cuticle line on each side so that part of the toenail needs to be clipped off completely. It happens over and over. I worry about it hurting him, but he doesn't seem to be bothered by it. But I also don't want him to have crazy toenails when he's older because of all the trauma.
We have tried many combinations of: Band-Aids and shoes and socks, but he doesn't rest until he has completely taken all of it off his feet. I thought maybe slippers would work, but it's the same story. I don't know if there are slippers out there that would be really hard for him to take off? Yesterday I painted two coats of clear fingernail polish on them, so I'll see how that works. Does anyone have any other ideas??
My mother used to clip our nails when we were sleeping to avoid this sort of thing.
We had the same problem with our son! I used Robeez and that seemed to do a pretty good job until he was full-on running all over the place. He never was able to figure out how to pull them off. Good luck!
I would actually talk to your Pediatrician. While he won't be walking completely correctly for a few more months of mastering his physical strength, some of the curling of the toes could be issues that are correctable early if you catch them. He should not be walking with his toes curled at all, it is not good for his support, bones in his feet nor his toes. I would talk to a Dr about it first, then you have to probably be hard core on supportive slippers or socks even if you have to tape them on, hee hee. They may put him in corrective shoes and have to have him in them until the need to curl them is over with. I cannot imagine it is good for him and best to ask a Pediatrician to see if they need to do something now to help him. Also, buy supportive tennis shoes, ones with arches. If he goes to take them off, be stern and tell him NO! He may not like it and may try to over and over again but I would think it would help him build up his strength and correct the problem too. Just do not allow him to take them off.
I don't know if this is a good idea or not (I don't have experience in this area) but maybe try super glue? Or take him to a nail Technician and see what they say.... otherwise I'd just say ask your pediatrician and maybe they'll have some advice. Good luck!
I wonder if maybe your pediatrician could refer you to an Occupational Therapist who could help bring his feet into a more relaxed and supportive position.
Have you tried Robeez? They are a bit harder to take off since they fit tight on the foot. You can get a great version of them at target too, hanging in the infant/toddler section. Good Luck!
