Nail Biting - Saint Paul,MN

M.
I have to first of all say that I don't agree with the "ignore it" approach. Nail biting is a very common problem with kids and does not typically resolve itself. I also agree that while he may have anxiety about something or be sensing someone elses anxiety, I think it's more likely a habit. We are still dealing with this in my 13 year old because we didn't do anything about it when he was younger. When my 5 year old started as well, we bought the no-bite that others here have referred to. It worked great for him, I only wish we had done it younger with my older son. Good luck to you and continue to be proactive! (Another tip I've heard before because they often do this at night time is to have him wear gloves to bed - I haven't tried it but it might be worth a try)

Nail biting is usually a sign of being anxious about a situation. I would look into that first. How long as this been going on? If it started when your youngest came into the family then you may need to spend a wee more time with him. I would also start by everytime you catch him, pull his fingers out of mouth and say no! There are also people who are just natural nail biters and no matter what you do they still continue to do so, it is a habit and one that has to be broken. When he gets older and in school, peer pressure will also help break that habit. While we have an issues about bad habits at this age I would worry more about why he is doing it than the habit itself. Especially if he changes one habit for another.

Anxiety is one explanation for your child's nail biting or he may be doing it for a number of other reasons (out of curiosity or boredom, to relieve stress, to pass the time, or force of habit). Of all the nervous habits — which include thumb sucking, hair twisting, and nose picking — nail biting is the most common. Almost all kids do it at some point, and many continue the habit into adulthood. He'll probably eventually stop the habit on his own, either because he loses interest or because his friends and classmates tease him about it.

If you can pinpoint the times and places when your son is likely to bite his nails (while watching TV or riding in the car) try giving him substitutes such as finger puppets, a squeezable ball, or a bendable toy to keep his hands busy. Cut his fingernails short, too, so there's nothing to tempt him to bite.

Your best bet is to ignore the behavior altogether. His nail biting is an unconscious habit, which means he doesn't realize he's doing it (until you call attention to it, of course) so nagging and punishing won't help. Explaining to him how gross you think it is will probably goad him into doing it even more. If he's "particuarly 3" (every request is met with "no" in response), he could respond by biting more!

In some cases, nail biting (especially if grouped with other nervous behaviors) can signal tension. If he bites his nails so intensely that he tears his nail beds or bloodies his fingertips, or chews on his nails and engages in other self-destructive behaviors such as pulling his hair out, for instance, talk to his pediatrician. He may be suffering from more anxiety or stress than is usual for kids his age.

Most 3-year-olds, however, choose one or a few habits to indulge in (thumb sucking and nose play is a common combination), then eventually give them up without any encouragement. Do your best to ignore the habit.

I am a recovering nailbiting-aholic. ;) As young as I can remember back, I bit my nails. When I got old enough, I started smoking. Then I quit smoking and started biting my nails again. I remember my mom trying all sorts of things, and when I got old enough I tried everything too. I definitely recognized how gross it was, and how nasty my fingers looked when I was at work in important meetings pointing at charts or whatever. I would go through periods where I would quit, but I went back anytime I was stressed or anxious.

Now, at 30 years old, I have finally quit biting, but it's still something I fight. I just commented to my husband that I think I finally beat it--when one nail breaks, I don't feel the urge to bite the rest of them off. I also didn't go back to biting when I had some deaths in the family this year. That's HUGE.

Anyway, my point is, he might just be a biter and it might be something he has to work out. I agree with the previous poster--it may be his outlet for stress or anxiety. It's definitely not a good habit, but I'm not sure there's a lot you can do. Maybe gently ask him to take his fingers out of his mouth, or remind him not to bite. I know I often didn't even realize I was doing it. Getting frustrated with him will not make him stop... in fact it may make it worse if he does it when he's feeling anxious or stressed.

I hope that helps!

I know this isn't going to be as helpful as you like but I know there is nail polish that tastes awful that is made specifically for people who bite their nails. I don't know what it is called or how safe it is but I'm sure you could google and get some info. Good luck.

As a nailbiter myself, my mother did everything she could to get me to stop... hot sauce, rewards, consequences, humiliation and even threatening to cut my fingers off with a knife (even went so far as to put my fingers on the chopping block with the knife poised over me)... and yet I am still picking and chewing. I briefly got over the habit for several months, but in times of stress I revert back.

Unfortunately, this may be something that he needs to want to work on hiimself as he gets older. Is there anything that he is anxious about? You may want to look at the surrounding atmosphere to see if something is bothering him and try to help him feel less stressed.

Good luck... and, just in case you're wondering, I'm trying to break the habit... again. :-)

I second the comment of the stuff from wallgreens had this same issue with my just turned 4 years old....He liked the idea of getting his nails done by me. So luckly that worked and I followed up with WOW I am SO PROUD OF YOU...If you can keep it up next week we will go the store and you can pick something! So we went to the $store let him pick a few things...He was so pround of himself!

Hi M.,
there is something called No-bite (I think) at Walgreens,that is natural and taste bitter and stays on for a while!When you put it on your little ones fingernails,make sure you put it around the fingernail as well!!It's for kids that bite their fingernails or suck their thumb!It looks like colorless nail polish.It worked for my friend's daughter!Definetly worth a try!!Good luck!