My 3 year old got into habbit of chewing his nails.?

Question

Its a horrible habbit and he is young to underestand.what would be the best way to stop him?

Answer 1

Most nail-biting habits among children start at the age of 5, sometimes even as early as 2 or 3 years. Nagging, yelling, or warning you child that he can get an infection won't work because they just don't understand, especially at 3 years old. Very rarely, it could be caused by stress. But, I'm pretty sure he's is just a bad habit, like many of us when we were kids.

The best and most effective way to stop your child from biting/chewing his nails is by applying a very bitter substance that is clear on his nails. The taste is awful! But not harmful. You can either purchase "Stop-Zit" or "Mavala" which you can get at most grocery/drug stores for as little as $8.

It is the best way to get your child to stop biting his nails. The second he puts his mouth over his finger, he will taste the substance and trust me, I still remember the way it tasted, so bitter! Just a few uses and he'll just give up on it.

Hope this helps! Let me know if you have other questions =]

Answer 2

There is a product that you can paint on his nails and fingers that tastes bitter to help him not want to bite his nails... my pediatrician recommended it for me but it didn't work bc my daughter would suck off the product (even though she hated the taste) so that she could bite her nails again- it may work for you- I bought it at Walgreen's for $7or $8 and it was w/ the baby products.

I ended up painting my daughters nails w/ the polish that she chose from the store and that worked (sorry it doesn't help you much).

My best friend used a little bit of Tabasco sauce on each of her child's fingers (only when she caught him biting them, then she made him do it again w/ the hot sauce on, then washed his hands w/ soap and water... she didn't leave it on all the time bc obviously he could get it in his eyes and that would hurt)- I don't know how you feel about her method but I will tell you that it worked for her and her child was broken of this habit in a few days... if you don't like the thought of burning your child's mouth, you could make him eat his least favorite food every time you discover that he has bit his nails... maybe  one bite of the food for every chewed nail, every time he does it- it will take some work on your part but it might be worth your while.

Answer 3

Try this product(follow the link)>>>> http://www.folica.com/MAVALA_Stop_for_d4...

Look at all the great reviews and buy it......and the stuff is completely harmless....

Answer 4

Talk to your pediatrician.  Nail biting is a nervous habit, he may have some issues.  Be open with your doctor about family issues that may worry your child. Protect your baby.

Answer 5

Mine started doing this as well.  He is 32 months now.  When I see him chewing, I pull away his hands, and say take you hands out of your mouth.  No hands in mouth.  He'll repeat this back to me and he'll stop biting.  It has seemed to work for the best, his chewing has almost stopped.  I occassionally see him do it, and again I tell him no, and he pulls his hands out his mouth.

Maybe my baby is too easy, but he usually minds pretty well like this because I been consistent in discipline as he's grown.