2Yr Old Biting Her Nails

Well, my son is three right now and he wipes his snot with his entire hand and licks it. DRIVES ME NUTS! I was a nail biter when I stopped sucking my thumbs and my mom rode me forever about. I used to get spankings if I bit my nails, she also tried rewarding me...nothing worked. I think giving attention to the situation might make her actually continue. But, I just say that because that is what I did, I would gnaw on my fingernails when mom wasnt looking. I was just a nervous child...do you think she might be relieving tension this way?

My almost three year old is just kicking the habit -- even has little white tips on almost all of her fingers!! I think the nail biting is normal behavior -- maybe teething, soothing, etc. -- however, it grossed me out knowing that her hands aren't always clean. I tried to encourage her to stop by letting her know that we would paint her nails if she let them grow and also that she may get a tummy ache if she continued. I settled for her not putting her hands in her mouth until after she washed her hands.

Not sure if what I said is helpful, but there are signs are hope on this end. Good luck!

Ignore it. It will pass more than likely. My 2 1/2 year old does it too. I have found that if I keep his cuticles trimmed, he doesn't bug them, but if there is something to get a hold of, he will work on it.

Dr. Sears, whom I respect a lot, says that there are lots of habits at this age and to just let them go. The more you mention it, the more they do it. It's tough and sometimes annoying, but I have noticed that our constant nail biting has slowed to a way less common event. Today in the car on a long ride he was doing it, but I haven't noticed it in days.

Good luck.

We're right there with you! My 2 1/2 year old does the same thing. I talked to her doc about it, and he said not to make a big deal out of it. It drives me nuts, but it's just a habit she'll outgrow. I found she does it when she gets anxious or scared of something. She especially does it at bedtime, as she is starting to have a wonderful imagination which includes being scared of monsters in her room. It could also be soothing in some way to her. Good luck & hang in there.