When registering for baby gifts, mothers-to-be are often overwhelmed by the number and variety of baby care products available in manicure kits. Of course your baby will need some of these items, but which ones? If you are expecting your first baby, or haven't had a baby in the house for a long while, it may be difficult to know what's necessary and what will sit in the drawer collecting dust.
A baby manicure set should contain, at a minimum, a pair of nail clippers and tweezers for removing splinters. Nail clippers are essential because newborn babies, who lack coordination but are constantly moving their arms and legs, can scratch themselves with nails that are too long.
Because baby's nails are so small, some baby nail clippers come with magnifying glasses to help cut the nails without hurting the baby. However, not everyone finds these magnifying glasses helpful. Look at what else is included as you make your decision on whether to choose that particular manicure kit.
Besides the tweezers and clippers, many baby manicure sets come with medical and health aids as well. Bulb syringes, also known as nasal aspirators (for removing mucus from baby's nose), thermometers, and medicine dispensers are all common in manicure/baby care kits.
Manicure kits also often include a baby hairbrush and comb. Look for a kit with a very soft brush; hairbrushes included in some of the cheaper kits may have bristles that are a little too stiff for a baby's sensitive scalp. The comb probably won't be necessary (or advisable) for the first year of the baby's life.
Be aware that more is not always better: by buying everything in one convenient kit, you may either buy more than you need (i.e., buy a kit containing 12 pieces and only use the clippers and the brush) or buy a kit with all the pieces you need, but in substandard quality. Or the items included may be inappropriate for a very young baby - toothbrushes with bristles, for example, are not recommended during the first year. It may thus be a better bargain to buy smaller kits of higher quality pieces.
Most parents find that the most important pieces in a manicure kit are the clippers, tweezers, and brush. A quick look at online reviews of baby manicure and health-product kits reveals that out of 8, 12 or 30 items in any given kit, the most-used items are indeed the clippers and hairbrush - leaving several items unused.
For example, medicine dispensers such as droppers or spoons often come with manicure sets. However, droppers and measuring cups are usually included with prescription medicines for babies and young children. These items are nice to have in a baby kit but may see very little actual use, and can be purchased separately if an otherwise perfect manicure set does not include them.
If you still aren't sure about which items you need in your baby's manicure kit, just ask a friend or relative who has a young baby at home. Someone with recent hands-on experience will be better able to tell you what's a necessity and what just looks nice in the package.
