I have a 4 1/2 year old girl who won't stop bitting her nails, I've tried putting nail polish on even hot sauce on her fingers, I've also told her that the nails will grow in her tummy. She doesn't care and is still bitting them. Any asdvice out there?
2006-12-20 04:53:53 · 11 answers · asked by Mrs B 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
It's good to see a child psychologist for advice. Nail-biting can be symptomatic of an emotional problem such as nervousness, stress, or boredom, as I assume your child doesn't go hungry. Your doctor may help you with behavioral therapy, such as suggesting an activity that can help your child focus on this rather than on her nails.
There are also medications that can stop this habit such as anti-depressants but again, your doctor will know best.
What's important is not just to stop the habit, but to eliminate the factor that's causing this habit in your child.
Hope this helps.
2006-12-20 05:05:28 · answer #1 · answered by DarkAngel 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sorry to say, there may not be anything to stop her. I bit mine until I was 26. My daughter now bites hers and I can't her to stop. They do it due to boredom and/or stress.
They sell some thumbsucking stuff that also helps with nail biting (didn't work with my daughter), nail polish is not good to ingest - so maybe that should be avoided, some people put band aids, some say hot sauce - but if she has a cut, or rubs her eyes that will hurt and so that's not a good idea either. I quit by putting on artificial nails and letting them grow out. - if they fell off, i just put another one on - but her fingers are probably too small.
Try not to shame her. It's a very difficult habit to stop and you will only make her feel bad about herself if you harp on it. In the meantime, keep on her to wash her hands often so she doesn't get sick from having her fingers in her mouth.
Good luck
2006-12-20 05:08:12 · answer #2 · answered by island3girl 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think is very normal.
I am a nail biter and I'm a mom! I don't do it anymore though.
I bought this nail polish called NO BITE made by Orly you could find this stuff at any beauty store, just ask the cash register
and they'll be gladly to help you. This stuff is nasty!
I guess it worked for me, now when I want to put my nails in my mouth I just think of the nasty taste of the nail polish.
I am 100% this stuff will work for your daughter.
2006-12-20 05:11:57 · answer #3 · answered by Sabine 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with DarkAngel...sounds like a possible nervous habit. Pay close attention to what is going on when she starts chewing her nails & see if you can see a pattern.
My 5 year old son is a nail biter and a lip chewer...he gets nervous in new situations/environments (like when he went to Pre-K this year). I just talked to him about other things he could do when he felt nervous. We settled on "thumb-twittling" and it has really helped. I rarely see him biting his nails or his cheeks anymore.
Hope that helps! Good Luck
2006-12-20 06:41:41 · answer #4 · answered by єЖтяα ¢яιѕρψ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have you ever tried one of the anti biting nail polishes that contain Bitrex (a bitter-tasting ingredient). They taste HORRIBLE.
I used to be a nail biter but my mother says one day I spontaneously told her I was going to stop biting them and then I never did again. I don't remember that though.
2006-12-20 05:27:13 · answer #5 · answered by you_likea_the_sauce 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ive been biting my nails since i was 4 too. It basically a bad habit kids have to grow out of. Ive heard hotsauce works but obviously not in your case.
2006-12-20 05:02:05 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I bite my nails, and unfortunately my son started biting his... He's almost 5 and just recently I told him that Mommy is not going to bite her nails anymore so he shouldn't and he hasn't bitten his nails in about 3 mths... With your situation, you're probably going to have to give it time... Just be consistent with telling her to stop..
2006-12-20 05:18:54 · answer #7 · answered by Kat0312 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Make her dress stiching loose or if she is wearing frocks then remove hooks from frock and then if she wears the frock then the frock will fall either left or right side then she holds the frock continuelsy and she will forget bitting nails.
2006-12-20 05:09:28 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
My 12 year old does too!! I have tried everything but nothing has worked. SORRY!!
2006-12-20 05:04:56 · answer #9 · answered by chilly 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
try ignoring it for a while maybe she's found a good way to get your attention
2006-12-20 05:21:05 · answer #10 · answered by Greeneyed 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋