My son just turned 2. Recently he's started gnawing his nails down, to the point where I don't even need to cut them. If we're laying together and he can't bite on his nails, sometimes he'll go for mine! I'e tried the bitter tasting nail polish, doesn't seem to phase him. If I take his fingers away from his mouth, it becomes a game and he tries even harder. He's never had a pacifier or sucked his thumb, gave up the bottle very easily on his own at around 9 months. I'm afraid to ignore it because the longer a bad habit goes on the harder it is to break. Any suggestions? Is this just somethign kids do sometimes, or could there be something else causing it?
My older 2 bite their nails too. I have fussed with them and they think its a game. My oldest is 6 and is starting to let them grow, but this started very recenetly. I know its a pain but I think you should leave it alone. He will either grow out of it or learn to stop when he is older.
I am 25 and I bite my nails. For me its a nervous habit. I do it when I am stressed, nervous, anxiety. I have also found my two children during it. I have tried all the things in the books but i still bite my nails.
I would look at whats going on in his life right now. It could be he is bored or stressed, yes even children this young experience stress. Maybe ignoring it and not causing an issue out of it. It may be a phase. Sorry I am not more helpful.
Im 26 & still bite mine unfortunately. Ive tried many times to stop but its hard. Try your hardest to stop him now. Good luck!
I'll be honest with you. I'm 21 and I STILL bite my nails. I do it when I am upset, nervous, bored, etc. I even do it when I am happy. If he does it to the point where he bleeds, you may want to consult he pediatrician. Some in the medical community are beginning to recognize nail biting as a form of self- mutilation. I wouldn't be too concerned with it at his age though. Like Joanna said, it is probably just a phase. However, as he gets older, if it continues, I would suggest seeing a medical professional about it.
M., I also hava atwo yr old and she started biting her nails at abouta yr. It was a bit strange to me to see a yr. old biting her nails...that is not something i associate with a little child. I tried everythjng too to stop it from happening...the bitter stuff for ur nails, didn't work. I took her hands out of her mouth and she fought me on it. Now she has really just stopped. I reminded her that it was yucky and she was going to hurt herself if she kept biting her nails it could upset her tummy. and now she tells us if she sees anyone with their fingers by their mouth"don't bite ur nails, it's yucky" I think if u just keep reminding him not to and not make a big deal out of it, it will go away. Like I said my daughter does not do it anymore. She also was not interested in a pacifier, her fingers or a bottle. Just keep reminding him, it is prob. just a passing phase.
Try putting band aids on his fingers until he breaks the habit. Also, he needs something else to do, instead of bite his nails, to replace the habit. Find a positive replacement behavior and over time hopefully he will make the substitution. Good luck!
