Fingernails

Sandra.
My baby Max is almost one week old and since birth his nails have been long and he scratches his face. I have tried mittens and using the fold over hand covers on his clothes, but he hates having his hands covered. I have tried filing the nails, but they are soft and that doesn't seem to work. I tried to cut them, but (I know it sounds weird) it is so hard to tell his fingernail from his fingers. The doctor says after a bath they will be soft enough to peel the ends off, but I can't submerge him until his cord falls off. Please share your advice for the best way to tackle baby nails in the first few weeks. Thanks so much.