I don't do my daughter's fingernails because her hands are constantly going into her mouth, but I've been doing her toenails, when she asks me for it, since she was around two. She is a major tomboy and doesn't have pierced ears, Barbies, age-inappropriate mini-adult clothes (what I call prosti-tots clothing), or Disney princesses, but she loves to have her toenails painted. I use my own nail polish -- good brands with supposedly fewer harmful ingredients. I don't like the peel-away toddler nail polish because to my mind, one that is more difficult to remove is better.

Honestly, I just don't agree with the "too young" warning. No one is more opposed to sexualizing or altering little girls than I am. But they just like having different color toes, and they get covered up by shoes all day anyway. I even know little boys who like toenail polish because it's a novelty.

let's be honest here, we're talking about toddlers. They put everything in their mouths. So, whats worse, them sticking god knows what in their mouths or a their nails? Kids will be kids, i think theres a lot more to worry about then nail polish. Chemicals are everywhere, just have a look at those fishy crackers you give your kids on a day to day basis, or the container in which those precious vitamins come in. All your child's bedding, including crib bedding in Canada is doused in a flame retardant. So....like i said before, there are plenty more things to worry about than nail polish. Not only that, they love it, they have a good time and it makes them smile. let kids be kids for crying out loud. And oh btw, for all those germ freaked out parents, mud is a good thing. Free play is a good thing, trust me, i'm an educator.

harmless!

I've been painting my daughter's nails since she was two - as a reward. She picks colors (sometimes as many as 3) and we alternate nails.

Chemicals are everywhere! As long as your child is not licking the polish out of the bottle, she (or he) will be fine. And if you remove it with nail polish, just have your child wash his/her hands after. I do that myself b/c the smell of the remover is so strong.

My son's preschool teacher put nail polish on everyone in the class who wanted it, including my 5 yo son. He loved it. I didn't mind it, except I was a bit miffed because I didn't want to remove it with toxic chemicals. So I left it on and he chewed it off in about a week. Yuck! Never again. So I'd say be careful if you child is a chewer.

Actually, I just did some research and there is an ingredient that is harmful to all of us in nail polish, as well as some shampoos, conditioners and moisturizers. It's called Dibutyl phtalate (also butyl ester and plasticizer) and washes off whenever it comes into contact with water- and then goes right into your skin. It's the ingredient that was just banned from all children's plastic toys and cups. It can build up in your system with exposure. So this isn't really a question of appropriate or not, but more about health issues.

i think my daughter got her first professional manicure when she was 1. we knew the salon owner so they just did her nails and she loved it though i kind of freaked out because i thought it was too young. but since then, i've just gotten over it and painted her nails as rewards for things and let her have fun with it. she never chewed on the polish...

hey 15:12, my mom did something like that in the Philippines. They didn't have nailpolish, so she used little flower petals, the size of a finger nail, and stuck them on with honey or something sticky. So that's what I did with buttercups and azaleas when I was little. My mom forbade nailpolish for a long time!

My daughter is a prima donna and LOVES having her nails painted. I've never even thought twice as to whether people are judging me or not. She is 3.

WAY too young -but harmless, all the same. My daughter loves to wear (and eat) my lipgloss - I make sure to buy non-toxic. Painting toenails can be a way to satsify the little one's urge without having her nails out for public view (and judgement) 8)

You can buy Hello Kitty nail polish at Child's Play. I started using it on my DD at around 2, because that's the only way I could get her to let me cut her nails. I cut, then she gets a polish.

Honestly, I don't see the harm. She's not wearing make-up (although she LOVES gloss that she got in a goody bag once). She doesn't wear sexy clothes. It's just fun dress-up stuff. Same as putting on a tiara or tutu (or firehat or spidey outfit) in my book.

I agree with 14:59, that it's way too young in my opinion.

There is a flower (can't think of the name) that is used to stain nails. When I was a little girl and wanted painted nails, this is what my grandmother used. She wrapped the flower petals to my nails and the next day they were red.

I have thought about this too...born in the 70's and we had 'peelable' nail polish in late 70's early 80's? I think 'Tinkerbell' was the brand or something. I am sure it would be toxic now!

I think my 2 yr. old daughter would peel and eat it too if its still available, but I loved peeling it off! I remember getting my nails done 'clear' and color on my toes when I was a flower girl in the 1st grade. I think kindergarten or first grade is okay for nails. Or (summer) vacations to make it special..along with peelable tattoos! My aunt does that with her kids and it seems fun and something for them to look forward too. Great thing for them to do with the sitter, as well.

look online for non-toxic nail polish. that said I think a toddler is WAY too young to have her nails painted.
the fumes from reg polish is really harmful to children so even when she's a lot older use the non-toxic polish as well.

Just a quick, easy question... Please don't be judgemental... I'm just curious here (and having a boring day at work, too!)

Just visited a preschool and saw a few of the 4 year old girls with nailpolish, made me wonder when others have started painting their toddler's nails. My two year old is infatuated with my painted nails and toes (well, when I have a manicure). Does anyone paint their toddler's nails as a fun activity? I think she'd LOVE it, but my gut is telling me this is way too young... she could eat off the polish. That said, if you do it, what kind of polish do you use? Anything non toxic?