I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for my 2 year old who is biting her nails. She has recently started biting them again, to the point of bleeding a few times. I know she starts this habit when we are going through changes. Right now, she has recently started preschool for 2 half days, and we are getting ready to move, so this is why she has started it again. Does anyone have any suggestions to stop her from biting, besides just telling her, and trying to make the best of the new schedule (she adapts to change very well, she just bites her nails for a while!). Thanks!
Keep her nails trimed too short to bite. I bite mine and I have watched my kids they will too if they get longer than normal before I cut them.
I can tell you as a previous thumb sucker, that if the habit is nerve or stress related, all the bad tasting stuff in the world won't help. For your daughter, it does sound like a stress thing and maybe just talking to her as much as you think she can understand about all the changes and just making sure she doesn't see or hear you stressing too much might help. It sounds like you two girls have really been through a lot and if the nail biting is her worse symptom you are doing a pretty awesome job of things!
I tried with my own daughter on the painting nails thing, as a pretty, and it wasn't enough incentive... also you have to be careful because many of the children's nail polishes are toxic if they ingest too much. My daughter is almost 6 and has just stopped chewing on her nails in the last year. We got in the habit of correcting her every time she would do it. It's frustrating, and it takes a while, but it will eventually get through to her. So, don't stress about it too much and keeping loving that little girl!
What about making a big deal about painting them--so pretty!!! Let her pick out the color...make a HUGE production out of it. Then remind her, when she starts biting, that she doesn't want to mess up her beautiful nails!! This worked with my daughter---let me know how it works for you if you give it a try!!
Are you sure that it's because of changes in her life? I am 22 and I still bite my nails if I stop taking my vitamins. Maybe you should look into that...Also, that nasty tasting nail polish works wonders too, I think you can get it at just about any pharmacy. Walgreen's is a good bet. Good luck!!
I really liked the suggestions so far. especially the big deal about painting her nails. Making it a kind of nightly ritual might help as well for reinforcement during times of change.
I have heard of the stuff yuou put on the nails that tastes bad, but I don't know what is in it. I would suggest "painting" the nails and fingertips with Grapefruit Seed Extract. It's full of Vitamin C, supremly healthy, and tastes horribly bitter and nasty. The taste stays in your mouth for a while too. Really gross and hard to forget, but all natural and good for you. Some people like the taste of vinegar.
I'd suggest GSE.
I have a 2 year old that is biting his nails too. I was a nail bitter up until 5 months ago when I had my teeth pulled, now I just cant bite them. Well anyway I was thinking of doing this with my son since I really dont want him walking around with nail polish. I am going to try to dip him nails into vineger that way when he goes to bite he gets the taste of it. I know years ago it help my oldest who is 9 now from cursing. I have also tried it with my 2 yr old when he started biting people and it only took 3 times in his mouth and he stoped. If you try this let me know how it work as I plan on doing this with my son.
You might put finger nail polish on them. Sounds like she is struggling with all the changes. Good Luck!
try painting her nail with a nail polish that tastes bad or they do have nail stuff that tastes bad just for little ones who bite thier nails, you could also try sticking her fingertips in vinegar when you catch her with her hands in her mouth
