painting baby's toenails

Steph - posted on 07/12/2012

I agree that it is more for us moms then the babies, but to go as far as some of the comments you mentioned seems just plain ridiculous to me!! My daughter is 1 month, and I found this page because I was actually looking up how old they should be before painting their toes so that their nails are hard enough to not let the polish soak into their blood stream.. I cant wait to paint her toes though! Its so cute on babies, and its not like its permanent!! I have a 2 year old boy, and was super excited when I found out my second was a girl and was looking forward to pink, pink, pink, and more pink! lol :) I will always have my daughters toes painted in the summer, and maybe even winter too, and i would love for some one to say I am a bad mom for doing so, because I would just unload on them! At the end of the day Holly, they are your children, and no one has the right to tell you what you should or shouldnt do besides your husband (if you have one) or the father of the children! Keep on painting! :))

Johnny - posted on 06/23/2012

Amanda, they now make polish that is safe for children. It does not last as long, but it's still lots of fun.

Amanda - posted on 06/22/2012

nail polish contains chemicals which can easily be absorbed through a babies much thinner than adults nails..... Why would you expose your baby's body to chemicals that could be harmful..... Plus babies put their hands in their mouths!?!?

Mommy - posted on 06/19/2012

My daughter LOVES her polish. I waited until she was almost a yea,r only because she was still chewing on her feet before then, and I didn't want her ingesting the polish. She goes into the bathroom drawer and pulls out the polish everyday and asks me to do it for her. I think it looks so cute. It's even cuter when my husband does it for her...I love that. I also have some roll on perfumes I'm not a huge fan of, so she takes those out and puts them on her toes too...lol.

Boni - posted on 06/08/2012

I figure as long as they can't (or don't anyway) stick their toes in their mouth (where they can swallow polish chips) what's the harm? :) I plan to paint my one year old's this weekend :)

Emma - posted on 04/06/2010

I don't paint my daughters nails or even do the play with make up thing with her. but i think that's mainly as im a tomboy and don't own nail polish the only make-up i own is mascara and lip ice, When we visit my sister my daughter and her do the girly girl thing, with one rule not out of the house.
But that's me i really don't think its anyone's business if you want to paint her toe nails, i do have a bit of a prob when i see little kids with real make up on out, you know the type, that has obliviously been done by an adult, the full works, but if a kids been playing and you can see it was a DIY job that's fine.
I think my daughter will never really want to wear make-up as she has stunning olive skin and thick dark lashes that go on for miles.

Julia - posted on 04/05/2010

Honestly....who has the patience to paint a baby's toes? kids have the smallest nails. Just doesn't make sense to me. I could spend the time trying to keep her feet straight, putting the polish on, blowing on it to make it dry etc etc etc doing other things like reading to her or tickling her making her laugh..

Jamie - posted on 04/05/2010

I dont know if this has been mentioned but they make totally chemical free polish called PIGGYPAINT!! I plan on using that for my 7 month old this summer. It's just cute. I don't see the harm if you aren't using harsh chemicals on your baby. People complain about all the chemicals they need to check what is in a disposable diaper before they condem others for using nail polish!!

Jessica - posted on 03/21/2010

I am with you on the painting toes all my kids get theirs painted and when taylor my youngest (10 months) was first born in May she had her toes first painted at about 1 to 2 months old. I actually cannot believe that this is actually a fueled discussion. My 6 yr old has play makeup and when I have the $ to get my nails done (which is very rarely with three kids and the economy) she goes with me and she gets a mini mani/pedi. I think it's important to let your children express themselves and be an individual as much as possible. I believe in letting your child make as many decisions as they can handle as a child I'm not saying that they can decide to start saying curse words or thinking they have the run of the house but, I have what my husband says is ocd about things ex; having my children and husband all in matching clothes (not like matching eachother or anything) but if my child is in pink pants then her shirt should be white, black, or the same shade of pink as the pants. That is one of the hardest parts of letting them be independent. I let them always make choices with what they take for lunch and what they wear, how their hair is done etc. I will tell you now I have let them make decisions for themselves hoping to instill a good knowledge of what right decisions and bad decisions are and I swear by this it has worked with 2 of my three and Taylor is learning. If you give my child a choice between a candy bar and an apple or carrot she will on her own choose an apple or carrot, they feel they have the control and they want to please and the freedom to be big like mom and dad. I think that people are too tense that they are right and perfect and that anything is a potenial danger to children, What did our parents grand parents great great grandparents do??? We managed just fine thanks. Get over it and let your children be children and have some fun

Marilyn - posted on 03/20/2010

I have painted my boys nails and my daughters nail but they were older than one to tell you the truth I can not remember how old the were but I was painting my toe nails they watched and then held out there hands so I painted them, I didn't think about it. My daughter loves it she is three but my son's thinks it is for girls now. As for ear piercings both my son have there ears pieced but my daughter does not and that is because you can not see her ears and she has not chosen. There are more important issues than to nail polish or not to nail polish.

Adrienne - posted on 03/19/2010

Wow - I never knew this could be such a hot issue. My mother in law is a manicurist and while I was getting my toes done I painted my sons toes green for St. Patty's Day. I'm sure people are going to tell me that will make him gay. Nobody could see it. It's cold here so his toes are always covered....the polish was even non-toxic health food store stuff...

...I honestly didn't think anything of it at the time. He's 4 months old, it's not like he'll remember...

Carly - posted on 03/19/2010

I've been putting polish on Taylor forever and she loves it. She also loves sparkly eyeshadow and shiny yummy lip gloss. I personally don't wear make up too often but little girls love to get prettied up and have their hair and make up done fancy, it's one of the perks of being a girl. Besides, she knows she's a gorgeous little sweetheart no matter what.

Minna - posted on 03/18/2010

I don't think that babies are going to make the association when playing with make up and polish that it is something that they need to look pretty. It's fun, it's imitating mommy, it's textile stimulation on the face... no big deal. A three year old isn't going to feel the need to put on blush after playing with it because she can tell the difference it makes. However, a 9 year old is another story. A 9 year old will be imitating peers, and sees the difference make up makes when she wears it. If I were to avoid make up at a certain age, it wouldn't be 3.

Alison - posted on 03/18/2010

I'm with you Holly. If you get a kick out of it, then why not! It's probably not a great idea to do it too often, since nail polish is toxic. But I agree that people need to lighten up!!!

Christy - posted on 03/18/2010

i haven't painted my daughter's nails yet simply because she would never be able to sit still long enough to let them dry. she is 19 months old though and i have been thinking about it more and more, especially since it's getting nice outside. and yes the weather does matter because i don't like the idea of doing it inside with the house all closed up and no where for the fumes to go. i have absolutely no problem with having them painted and since she rarely ever puts her fingers in her mouth anymore and never chews on them i will be painting both finger and toe nails.

as for the make up issue that some people have brought up, i do my make up in front of my daughter whenever i decide to put some on because she likes to play with it. she doesn't open it and put it on but she does know where everything goes. i don't overdo it with make up so i have no problem with her watching me put it on. i also let her put lip balm on. it's not sticky or overly shiny, in fact if you didn't watch her put it on, you would never know she has anything on her lips. she knows it though and is proud of herself that she's big enough that mommy trusts her enough to let put stuff on her lips. not to mention that it tastes good when she licks it off =). i have no problem letting her put on make up when she's 3 or so just to play dress up around the house but i won't let her wear it out, i don't know many moms that would let their toddler go out of the house in make up... for little girls make up is just a fun thing to play with and makes them feel big. it's not going to ruin their self esteem unless you only tell your daughter that she's beautiful when she has it on.

Jackie - posted on 03/18/2010

Geez, Gillian! No one got ugly on on this thread until you... Why be so judgemental? I have an idea... you be you and I'll be me. I think it' alright to state how you feel about it but then you go ahead a proceed to bash other Moms for having a little fun with their little girls. Please!



On topic.. I have a 13 month old who is absolutly perfect and I have not painted her toenails.... YET. But I will, and she'll love it cause Mommy has her toenails painted. It'll be fun.

Shannon - posted on 03/18/2010

LOL.. I paint my baby's toenails. I don't think it's a problem. I DON'T paint her fingernails though, only because she chews on her hands & I don't want her "eating" the polish.. People are silly!

Kylie - posted on 03/18/2010

I think it depends why your doing it. I do think that some mums encourage their daughters to grow up too quickly, and in England at least, we have seen the oversexualising of toddlers and young girls.

But if its play, and something your doing all together for fun, I don't see the problem. And we let kids have painted faces at fairs and things, so I fail to see how playing with make up at home is much different.

My mum let us play with make up from a young age, but we weren't allowed to wear it out until we were 16!

And now I am not bothered by makeup. I love wearing it, but I just can't find the time, and now Joseph has discovered my face, I don't think it would stay on for 5 minutes!

April - posted on 03/17/2010

this is an interesting debate..i didn't think it would create so many opposing views. it seemed like a mundane topic but i can see that it's not. there are definitely some things to think about (does make up help with self esteem or does it do the opposite?). anyway, i don't have girls, and i don't wear make up myself, so i know very little!

Charlie - posted on 03/17/2010

I love nail polish BUT i only put it on myself when no one is home or i will go outside by myself simply because the smell is so strong and toxic , not something i would want a baby to smell for long periods of time , i think doing your older girls nails is fun as long as your in a well ventilated area say 8 , 9 , 10 and older as long as your teaching them that people are beautiful without make up and that its necessary to look beautiful , thats a big thing for me , the lessons some girls learn from wearing make up , getting overly dressed up ect in fact on the news this morning they had a discussion with psychologists on the topic of young girls wearing make up and the terrible effects it can have when girls grow to think make up is the only way they can be beautiful .

Teresa - posted on 03/17/2010

I'm not a big makeup person. I did paint one of my twin's nails from 2 weeks (as soon as I cut off the hospital anklet) to about 2 months cuz I was afraid of mixing them up in my sleep deprived state... After I finally let it wear off I think they were 3 or 4 when my ex did their nails. He used to do their fingers and toes and my toes (I don't like my fingers done). At 8, they do their own now when they want.



I don't REALLY see the point of doing a baby's nails, but like I said I'm not a make up person. I don't have any major objections to it. :)

Chatty - posted on 03/17/2010

Jackie: you just have to wait till they're asleep! LOL! My daughter passed out in my lap while I was breastfeeding her......I gently put her on the couch next to me and painted her toes!

Jocelyn - posted on 03/17/2010

Oh I thought he looked adorable! He was wearing jeans and long sleeved shirt covered with skulls; totally bad ass :P

Good Day! - posted on 03/17/2010

@Jocelyn

I have a friend that paints her 3 year old son's toenails silver. Not just once in a while, but they stay silver. Dad doesn't care. I personally wouldn't do it and my husband would be livid if I did!

I'm sure you son's black toenails were cute...like a little punk rocker. =)

Rosie - posted on 03/17/2010

i have absolutely no problem with it. i get what gillian is saying about makeup on a baby, but i don't consider to be makeup i guess. my nieces always loved watching me put on toe polish and it was our fun bonding time together, they were around 1-2 at the time i first did it. i see no problem with it earlier than that either, to me there are alot worse things out there than nail polish.

Jackie - posted on 03/17/2010

Well my daughter would never sit still long enough so it sa mute issue for me. Never seen a baby with painted toenails, but I can imagine it would be adorable with all of her little summer dresses if she'd sit still so it could be neat.



As far as poisoning your child, they make all natural nail polish specifically designed for children (not targeted at babies....at CHILDREN...I am just pointing out the chemical free polish exists).

Jocelyn - posted on 03/17/2010

I painted my sons toenails once, black lol. I was painting mine and he wanted his done as well (he was around 20 months or so) His dad was NOT impressed lmao. Haven't done them again, he won't sit still anymore. Now I have a 5 month old daughter, and I will probably paint her toes when she's a little bit older. I don't see the harm on something that is occasional fun, for a special occasion, etc. I know one mom who would paint her daughters toenails when she was on the potty; seems like a pretty good way to get them to sit for more than a few seconds while training ^_^

Ashley - posted on 03/17/2010

I don't really see an issue with polishing a baby's toenails unless they are a toe sucker. I have a boy right now, so I wouldn't polish his, but I am pregnant now, and we don't know what we are having, so who knows! :)
Oh, and Holly, the Christmas colors sounded adorable!

Chatty - posted on 03/17/2010

I admittedly painted my daughter's toes ONLY ONCE when she was about 8 months old......I HATED IT!



I think people over react about lots of silly stuff but it takes all kinds to make the world go round, and round.....AND ROUND! LOL! I think we need to choose our battles wisely! ;)

Lady - posted on 03/17/2010

My 9 year old does play with make up, I would never deny her that fun part of being a girl but I never would have had her do it at three and she never wears it outside the house and will not be allowed to until she is much older. As she's never been a very girly girl I doubt she'll ever spend hours getting ready it's not in her nature - I expect as she gets older she'll take more time with her appearance that's natural but hopefully I will have been able to install enough confidence and self worth in her and she'll know what a beautiful girl she is. Girls will always mimic their mothers which is why should love ourselves, embrase our bodies - wobbily bits and all and be proud to leave the house bare faced and product free every now and again.

Good Day! - posted on 03/17/2010

I agree Gillian, little girls are perfect! =)

I honestly don't wear much makeup either. Takes me less than 5 minutes to apply. My mom didn't wear much either. But she let me play in hers until I was about 12 when she bought me my own. When I started wearing it, I applied very little like she did because that's what I always saw. I feel as long as we aren't overly obsessed with beauty our daughters won't be either. Therefor, I see no harm in allowing my daughter to play with my makeup when I apply it.

Amanda - posted on 03/17/2010

Welp I hate to tell you Gillian your daughters will spends hours and hours infront of the mirror doing their make up. I agree no one needs make up, so much so I dont even own make up. I raised my oldest saying the same things you say, and guess what!! Gasp she wears make up, she enjoys putting make up, she loves the whole process, does she think it makes her prettier? No. Does she go out without make up on? Yes. But she still loves learning make up, wearing make up, and keeping up with fashion trends. Its a part of being a teenager, its the FUN of teenagehood!

Meghan - posted on 03/17/2010

We LOVE to paint our nails...Carleigh brings me the paint bottle, we do them together its a little mother daughter time for us...we pop in an Elmo DVD and I paint hers and my own...we have been doing this together since she was about 4 or 5 months old. There's no harm I go and get mani-pedis with my mom and grandmother once every 2 weeks for girl fun time together I'm sure ill bring Carleigh eventually but not until she is much older, so for now this is my compromise...it used to be for me but now she really likes it and I only do our toenails so she cant get them in her mouth. (I don't like paint on my fingernails for some reason and never have) idk what the big deal is...I'm not taking her to get a tattoo or something pierced!

Lady - posted on 03/17/2010

Henna tattoos are very different to teaching your children to wear make up when they really don't need it. I have very stong veiws on what we teach our little girls about the way they look and feel about themselves. I don't want either of my daughters to grow up spending hours and hours in front of the mirror trying to make themselves look beautiful when they already are, And I don't want them trying to look older and ruining there skin and nails with products not meant for them. Magazines and the media are putting so much pressure on young girls all the time. I think as mothers we need to protect them and show them the natural beauty of just being them. And before you ask yes I do wear make up but not everyday and not a lot when I do wear it but being 33 I need it to cover up my imperfections - little girls are pefect.

Good Day! - posted on 03/17/2010

Gillian, I don't think she said she puts actual makeup on her daughter. It's just play. My own daughter watches me put on my makeup (what can I do? lock her out the bathroom?) and I let her play with my blush brush. She thinks its fun. Would I put real make up on her? Not until she is much older. But there is no harm in playing. And to tie this back into the nail polish thing, there is no harm in letting her have it on her toes (under her shoes for the most part) for a few days. She loves it. And yes, we bond in many many other ways besides her watching me apply makeup and nail polish.

Amanda - posted on 03/17/2010

You need to lighten up Gillian a little chap stick, and powder for fun is not really make up. No one can see it, and if that is how Amy and her daughter bond no big deal!! Im actually shocked you didnt jump all over her for the temp hanna tattoos. IMO is a great idea btw, and just might do that for my children this year, cause I really hate those stick on tattoos. My kids always want temp tattoos to look like mommy.

Lady - posted on 03/17/2010

I find it sad that you think puting make up on a three year old is a way of bonding with her, that is a fun thing to do with them when they are much much older, I have a 9 year old and a 4 year old daughter and we play and do art projects read stories talk and a million other things to bond, but I certainly don't teach them how to put on make up, exactly the oposite in fact I tell them how beautiful and wonderful they are and tell them they don't need to wear make up that they are perfect just the way they are.

Amy - posted on 03/17/2010

I did it with my daughter too. I did Henna when she was about 2. it's a natural stain and even has healing properties. she to this day loves henna! you can also "tattoo" with it temporarily. lasts about a week. So my daughter will apparently be a tattooed up wild woman before long! oh yeah, we do make up too. granted, she has chapstick and plain ole powder - she is just immitating and learning from me. she wants to do what i do and be a part of my life. it's a bonding thing for us. Plus it's visual for little ones. i did it with my daughter in the summer and she'd play with her pretty colored toes in the car - as opposed to screaming like normal. she couldn't toss her toes! :) it is to this day fun mom and daughter bonding. and with henna - i can paint little dragons/bugs on son's feet too without him having painted toes like a girl. i don't get what the big deal is. wearing nail polish is not setting up little girls to become objects or putting them in harms way. it's for us, but not for others. and that SHOULD be fine.

Good Day! - posted on 03/17/2010

This is funny because I painted my almost 2 year old's toenails last week for the first time. I was outside painting mine for a wedding we were going to, and she came out and watched the entire process. Then she started jabbering frantically in her sweet baby talk and pointing to her toes. So, I asked if she wanted me to do hers and she smiled and said, "ah!" which is her way of saying "yes." I put her in my lap and the most wiggly child I've ever met, sat extremely still and watched me paint her toes. In fact, when I got done painting one, she pointed to the next one as if to remind me not the skip one or stop. I thought it was very cute.

When her daddy came home, she ripped her shoes off her feet and started jabbering and pointing to her toes. The same when we went to my parent's house and even when we talked to her other grandmother on skype. She shows everybody!

And it is less than a week later and the paint has almost all chipped away already. I probably won't paint her nails again until she asks again.

So for those who say, "they can't chose to do it." I give you permission to use this as an example. She chose.

Lady - posted on 03/17/2010

Just to add a babies foot is THE cutest thing on earth and you are by no way improving it by putting on nail varnish, in fact you're spoiling it by adding something fake to it. It would be like spraying airfreshener onto the most beautifully scented flower.

Lady - posted on 03/17/2010

I'm one of these mums who's going to get a little irate I'm affraid, I hate seeing nail polish, make up or jewelry on any children it's completley uneccesary and looks awful. There is no need for it and not good for them. It is full of chemicals and stops the nails from breathing and forming properly. Childrens nails especially babies are not the same as adults and are a lot softer I would be worried about them absorbing the chemicals into their skin. It is something that should NEVER be done in my opinion and wish everyone would see just let their children be the wonderful beautiful human beings that they are with out the need for dressing them up with thing completley unapropriate for their age which I agree with Geralyn should never be before they reach at least 10 or even teenage years.

Jennifer - posted on 03/17/2010

I agree with Gerlyn here. Plus nail polish is highly toxic if they can put their fingernails/toenails in their mouths and even the fumes from it can affect your baby's breathing - afterall some people use it to get a high. But at the end of the day what everyone does is their business =]

Jess - posted on 03/17/2010

I think its harmless fun, but having said that, I do worry about the chemicals. I haven't painted my 7 months old toe nails, but I have been tempted. I choose not though. If I can find baby nail polish than I would paint them. But I can't imagine my daughter would sit still long enough to let me paint them and have them dry !

Geralyn - posted on 03/16/2010

I do not agree with make up or nail polish on an infant, toddler or child. I do not think that it is appropriate before a certain age, which for me is in the double digits.

Charlene - posted on 03/16/2010

I don't understand why people feel the need to make a mountain out of a mole hill for EVERY little thing they don't agree with.



I have to agree with Carol.. it's harmless fun. I can see people being against it if you (general) were painting your baby's toenails all the time, because it's not good for their nails, or anybody's nails for that matter, but being vehemently against it at all.. I just don't get.

Now for me, I actually never thought about it at all, but that's probably because I never ever paint mine. I like to keep my nails long and if I even paint them for a day or two, they get really brittle and break easily.

But even if I wanted to try it, my daughter is seven months and I can't even get her to sit still enough to trim her toenails, let alone paint them and then keep them out of her mouth until they dried. :P



When she is older though, I definitely plan on taking her for pedis and manis once in a while for mommy-daughter time. (If she wants to anyway. :P)

Johnny - posted on 03/16/2010

Harmless fun IMO. I haven't painted my daughter's toes and I can not see her sitting still long enough to let me. I just don't have the desire to do it really. But talk about a non-issue. It wipes off in a few minutes, and yes it is just for the mom but then so are those funny t-shirts with the slogans on them and hair bows. Do these moms just dress their kids in plain denim jumpers and runners every day? Probably not. Dressing up a kid is the same as painting toenails. I think it's kind of fun and hey, you're spending face-to-face time with your baby. What's bad about that? These women need to get a clue!

Michelle - posted on 03/16/2010

Well my oldest daughter loves to paint toenails. As fingernails aren't allowed to be painted during school terms. She is 11 and has only in the last 6 months just started being interested in doing it. I also have 3 year old identical twin girls. I never painted my girls toes as babies or even young toddlers. For one, because to be honest I never really thought about it, as I am not one for painting my own fingernails or toenails. And two, not that I don't think the term is inappropriate, maybe the word is more unncessary at that age in my opinion. On the odd occasion my oldest paints her sister's toe nails and finger nails, and they just love it. They think they are the bees knees, and go around showing everyone. It usually is just clear sparkly nail polish, or a light pink shade which I am fine with. Having a theme for Christmas like green and red is fine too. But I wouldn't have my girls wear bright red nail polish or anything like that though. With little ones you only need a very thin coat of polish, and it doesn't take that long to dry really. My 3 year olds know they can't go off and play or put their fingers in their mouth while it is drying. I think every now and then is quite ok for older toddlers and little kids. I wouldn't judge people if they had nail polish on their babies nails, not my cup of tea, but each to their own!

Amanda - posted on 03/16/2010

Hard to believe mothers would get upset about painted toes. My mother paints my childrens toes, and they LOVE it, its their bonding time. My youngest 20 months askes her grandma to do her toes (so much for children not knowing what they want LOL).

Holly - posted on 03/16/2010

I only do my baby's because she has NEVER put her toes in her mouth (neither one of them have now that I think of it...). Of course I wouldn't do it if they put their toes in their mouth, but the other reasons I just don't get...

I do my 1 year-old's toes, but not her fingers.

I do my 2 year-old's toes and fingers, but not her thumbnails because she's a thumb sucker

I do my 7 year-old's toes and fingers all the time AND we go get pedicures at least once a month in the summer as well for our "big girl bonding time" :)

Melissa - posted on 03/16/2010

I wouldn't do it because I would be afraid of my baby sucking/chewing it off. I think people who are 'against' it don't have much of a leg to stand on. Painting the toes is no more an accessory as dressing them up in cute clothes. All little girls want to put on make up, it has nothing to do with painting nails. Dress up, including make up, is common amongst toddlers and older children, not limited to girls. It is nothing to get bent out of shape about.

Jackie - posted on 03/17/2010

Well my daughter would never sit still long enough so it sa mute issue for me. Never seen a baby with painted toenails, but I can imagine it would be adorable with all of her little summer dresses if she'd sit still so it could be neat.



As far as poisoning your child, they make all natural nail polish specifically designed for children (not targeted at babies....at CHILDREN...I am just pointing out the chemical free polish exists).