Avoiding Finger Injuries: How To Stop Nail Biting In Toddlers
Maryland Pediatricians Share Tips For Parents To Prevent Children From Biting Their Nails
Nail-biting is a common habit in toddlers and children that drives parents nuts. Nearly half of children will bite their nails occasionally, and many children start this annoying habit at a very young age. Nail-biting is formally categorized as a body-focused repetitive behavior. Many children begin biting their nails out of boredom or because they are feeling fidgety; for some children, it’s due to anxiety or nervousness since repetitive behaviors can be soothing.
Not only does nail biting expose a child to the bacteria growing under their nails, it carries the added risk of causing long-term damage to teeth or nails. The habit may need to be addressed with a dentist. Usually, nail-biting doesn’t cause significant health issues and isn’t caused by a serious issue; it’s just a nervous habit and can be redirected.
Strategies To Stop Nail Biting In Kids
Many toddlers eventually outgrow their nail biting habits, so some parents prefer to just ignore it. Other parents may find the habit to be too gross and opt to work toward stopping it. If nail biting starts very suddenly, consider whether your child is undergoing any new stressors. Even some positive changes, such as getting a new pet or moving to a new classroom group, can be stressful.
Therefore, our experienced Maryland pediatricians will share some strategies for parents to prevent children from biting their nails.
1. Cut Your Child’s Nails Frequently
Keeping fingernails short reduces the available surface area to bite. It also means that there is less dirt and bacteria lurking under your child’s nails and getting into his mouth. Consider keeping a small nail file or clippers in your purse in case of a snagged nail, which may be too much to resist.
2. Find a Substitute For Nail Biting
Find a healthy substitute, such as celery or carrot sticks, to satisfy the urge to chew on something.
3. Give Your Child Something Else To Focus On Instead Of Nail Biting
Keep your child’s hands and fingers active with something they can stroke or manipulate and keep in their pockets, such as a smooth “worry stone,” stress ball, or putty. This enables your child to focus on the texture of something positive so they are less tempted to bite their nails.
4. Choose a Subtle Signal To Make Your Kid Stop Biting Her Nails
When you see your child biting her nails, lightly touch her arm or use a code word so you can remind her without announcing it to everyone else. This will help her become more aware of an often subconscious habit.
5. Create a Reward System For Your Kids
Try a sticker chart. If one whole day is too long, break it down into smaller chunks of time, such as before breakfast or during dinner. Set an accomplishable goal, such as earning five stickers means a trip to the park.
6. A Manicure Can Help Stop Nail Biting In Children
Some girls love the idea of growing out their nails with the goal of getting them professionally polished. This can be a really fun parent-child bonding activity, with the added bonus of compliments on her nails once they are done. Plus, when her nails are professionally manicured, she will likely work even harder to avoid biting them.
7. Try Bite-Averting Nail Polish
The standard fallback is a nail polish that tastes terrible or burns when a child bites their nails. Talk with your child’s doctor for some suggestions. At the very least, the bad taste will help your child become more aware of the habit. Use with caution, as the acetone or cayenne pepper in these kinds of nail polishes can be painful if your child rubs his eyes.
How To Avoid Making It Worse For Your Children
While some reminders of nail biting can be helpful, calling too much attention to it may backfire and make the problem even worse. Drawing attention to it at the wrong time can cause embarrassment, even if it’s just in front of siblings, which is more likely to create resentment and stubbornness rather than being helpful. Telling your child that nail-biting is gross or giving long lectures probably won’t be effective either.
Usually, the most effective way to help your child stop biting their nails is to get them on board with a plan you create together. If your child does not want to stop nail-biting, your efforts are less likely to be successful, or they may bite their nails when you’re not around. You may find it better to wait until your child is ready on his own.
To bring up the subject in a non confrontational way, you could say something like, “I’ve noticed you biting your nails a lot lately. Do other kids seem to notice?” or “It looks like your fingers get sore when you bite your nails. Do you ever wish you didn’t do that?” If your child wants to stop nail biting, work together to create a plan to help, using some of the strategies listed above.
Most of all, be patient. Sometimes nail biting gets better for a while and then worse again. That’s a common part of the process of ending a bad habit. Bad habits like nail biting are hard to break, but with time, patience, consistency, and some creativity, it will subside. When you get frustrated, remind yourself that you and your child are in this together, and that nail biting is usually just a phase that will pass.
Visit a Top-Rated Pediatric Clinic In Germantown, MD
Germantown Pediatrician is a top rated pediatric clinic in Germantown. Our friendly, caring, and knowledgeable staff have diverse pediatric experience and are committed to providing your family and child with a personal approach. We offer same day sick appointments, preventative care for newborns, and management of acute and chronic illness. Contact us today to schedule your child’s appointment!
Maryland Pediatric Care
19525 Doctors Drive,
Germantown, MD 20874
Phone: 301-424-2400
Email: [email protected]
Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri: 8:00am – 5:00pm
Wednesday: 8:00am – 1:00pm
Every second Saturday of month
(9:00am – 11:30Am)
