I know toddlers have habits when they get nervous, or scared, or experience other emotions, but this nail biting has been going on for over a year now. Bright side? It's just his finger nails and not his toe nails. But still, I haven't trimmed a single finger nail in {gasp} probably near a year and a half. #fail
He mostly does it when we're reading to him at night, or when he's watching TV or a movie. It obviously doesn't happen when he's playing, or doing hands-on activity, but he definitely finds time to keep them bitten back.
I mean, just look at that middle finger nail? It's like half gone!
I'm sure it's "just a phase", but in the back of my mind, it's been going on for over a year and his phases don't normally last that long! We've tried discussions, constantly pulling them out of his mouth, making sure neither of us are chewing ours and even telling him that his fingers get sad when he bites their nails. Lame, right?
Any and all suggestions are welcome. I'm sure there are creams to put on to make them taste bad, but I'm not interested in putting any chemicals into his body just to stop this. And sorry, but I'm not sending my kid to school with bandaids taped to all 10 fingers!
Thanks in advance!
Sincerely,
Worried Mother Of A Toddler Who Might Not Have Any Finger Nails Someday
I still bite my nails occasionally. It is terrible. And I use cuticle trimmers to constantly maintain my cuticles. It's a weird OCD thing for me, so I will come back and check out what others say and may apply the toddler advice to myself.
ReplyDeleteSIDE NOTE: I also only do it when I am watching TV or zoning out. Maybe if you could give him something else to do with his hands during those times?
Grant went through a phase of doing that, when he was about 4. It wasn't too bad, mostly when they would get long and I didn't notice he'd start biting. I just gave him constant reminders. But I was a serial nail biter, until college!!! I started because my dad used to cut my nails so short it would hurt, so I just would bite them off before he cut them. Turned into a long long habit and screwed up my teeth in return. I suggest using Thumb and rub a tiny drop on each nail. It is an vegetable product, so no crazy chemicals, it just has a bitter taste to it. I've also heard friends out a dab of hot sauce on their kids fingers (mostly to stop sucking thumbs, which is what I should probably try!). Good luck my friend!! We have a thumb sucking habit to break around here and I know it will not be an easy one!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThe things that gross me out the most with nail biting is the fact that lots of germs live on fingers and under nails and kids are not good hand washers!
ReplyDeleteThere is a book you might read him: The Berenstain Bears and the Bad Habit
Oh my goodness! Poor kid! I was always a nail biter, too, and actually never stopped until I got pregnant with my first and had nails of steal! Unfortunately, I have no advice, other than one day he may just stop biting them. :(
ReplyDeleteI"m a serial nail biter. Always have and always will, so I have no hints or advice for you. But I can tell you that I'm warmly welcome adorable Mr. Drew into the nail biters club.
ReplyDelete(also, I always have to write my comments twice on your blog for them to post...weird)
I don't have any experience with this, but maybe a suggestion would be for him to hold something in his hands, like a teddy bear or toy, while you guys are reading to him?? Like I said, not much experience in this area. I hope he kicks the habit though.
ReplyDeleteAwe. There is this stuff called "No bite" that my mom used to put on my fingers, but I have also hear of other methods as well.
ReplyDelete:( I used to be a nail biter, it was the worst. I wish I had solutions but I just grew out of it.
ReplyDeleteSince he's mostly doing it when you're reading to him or watching TV, he probably doesn't realize he's doing it. It's likely just an oral habit and may or may not fade in time. I would suggest giving him a fidget toy (putty or a koosh ball) for those times, or something that he CAN chew on during those times.
ReplyDeleteThanks, for stopping by my page! Yes, painting the door was really easy, no sanding down , I just did primer first and 2 coats of black paint.
ReplyDeleteOuch, that looks so painful! Our younger daughter likes to put her hands in her mouth constantly. Luckily, she's not biting her nails, but still. So we started to mostly sit with her when she's watching TV and holding her hands. Also if we read books or have quiet time, we try to hold her hands, so she can't put them in her mouth. If she's watching TV by herself, we ask her to sit on her hands, so they don't end up in her mouth, and mostly she's fine with it. Good luck helping your little guy braking that habit!
ReplyDeleteTrenton is a serial nose picker. On the bright side - at least he doesn't eat them. ;-) Charlotte has now picked it up; I think because she sees Trenton do it all the time. I'm seriously thinking of making them wear gloves around the house and in the car.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Renee. I would try a toy that he can play with instead of chewing on his fingers. I know that isn't new help, sorry! My son has been putting his fingers in his mouth a lot lately. I'm not sure if he's getting on of his 2 year molars or if it's becoming a habit. Keep us posted on anything that works and how he's doing. :)
ReplyDeleteAw, little buddy has a nervous habit. I do the same thing. I don't actually bite the nails off, but I just chew on them. Gross, right? Good luck with your quest to get Drew to stop.
ReplyDeleteOk - I know you don't want to use any chemicals/creams to get him to stop but thought I would share our success in getting Cooper to stop sucking his thumb. The link to the blogpost is here, http://adamashleyjones.blogspot.com/2014/02/coopers-big-accomplishment.html . Good Luck!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteHope it's not genetic! I bit my nails until I was in my late 20's, but I have no idea why I stopped. Aunt Karen
ReplyDeleteCan you encourage him to replace the activity with a different activity? Another idea might be to reward him when he stops. Like if he notices what he's doing and stops himself he gets something.
ReplyDeleteMy nephew does this and my sister has tried every trick in the book. He's seven. I will definitely let you know if she finds a solution!
ReplyDelete