Nail biting is a very common problem in children, and its not certainly associated with any deficiency in normal conditions. As a habit they adopt nail biting, often from someone in family or friends. As a fact, more than 60% children have been nail biting for some time during their growing years. Normally it is to beat stress or boredom, and they adopt any of these like nail biting, chewing toys or stationary items, some even chew clothes or grab their hair and start munching. This may reflect a deficiency of calcium too. So we bring you some ways to prevent nail biting in toddlers and ensure health and hygiene for your little one.
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It may be very difficult if it becomes a habit, so attention needs to be given right where it began from. Be sure to remove this as soon as you see in your children. As a mother i have seen my then 2.5 year old child start nail biting when she joined a school. Being a little impulsive mother, i checked with the pediatrician within a few days. And also discovered a miracle “stop nail bite nail paint” , its not really a nail paint but its unpleasant and bitter in taste. As soon as the child puts their finger in the mouth they taste pungent and strong so the reflux taken their hand away from mouth. We were unsure about its effect on 2.5 year old but with medical supervision this over the counter nail paint worked wonderful. Though only once in 2 weeks we applied for a brief period of 2 months to get over.
[Read: Stages of cognitive development in children]
There are ample other ways to prevent nail biting in toddlers, some of these are:
1- Attend immediately:
It is always easy to unlearn something thats yet not seasoned in a child’s brain. The sooner we pay attention the easier it is to stop. As soon as you see it the first time, ask them to stop. For the kids who can speak and understand, you must share its impacts. The unhygienic part of putting the fingers in your mouth and the diseases it may cause
2- Check what causes this:
When exactly does your child start biting their nails. It it is a need or a desire they are pointing towards. Maybe they are hungry or too stressed or too bored. It is always nice to observe a few times and then find reasons. There may be some psychological or medical reasons for it too. Read: Ways on spending quality time with your kids
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3- Switch to distract is easier for beginners:
It is always easy to switch to distract toddlers into something more involving and enriching. As soon as you see them biting their nails, you may introduce a game or activity they would not deny. Be sure to spend more time with them, when your little one starts biting nails, to understand what prompts them to initiate.
4- Make your child a part of your “stop nail biting campaign”
As a matter, children learn more when they are made a part of lesson giving. They love taking the lead and being responsible for activities. Just start measuring the nails everyday until a time decided. And for that you may have your little one check using a small ruler. Set some rewards for reaching a size and be sure to proceed with it
5- Give them more crunchy foods to munch on:
When you see them biting their nails, give them some toast, carrot or peanuts to munch. They may have itchy gums or teething problems too. Also use some lemon juice or orajel for rubbing their gums to sooth the itch.
6- Check their calcium levels:
Get your child checked for their calcium levels, by your pediatrician. This will help in finding any deficiency or medical reason which is causing the nail bite. It may also help to introduce some multivitamins at this stage, only after consulting your pediatrician. These would not only help in covering for some vital nutrients but also they may help in getting over with this habit.
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7- An author gave a few remedies on “what to do when bad habits take hold”:
- Distract: Hand them something to distract or use your hands to cover their nails
- Interrupt: Apply “stop nail bite” nail paint for their foul and pungent smell. This will interrupt their routine nail biting activity
- Munch: Offer other delightful crunchy foods to munch upon
- Relieve: Give them proper rest and have a fitness routine to prevent stress or boredom.
- Reinforce: Praise them more for not biting their nails, more than you punish them for biting it. Use the bitter nail paint as least as possible
8- Trim the nails often:
Keep the nails trimmed often to avoid any long nails prompting kids to bite. This will also ensure hygiene and health.
[Read: Dealing with children’s behavior issues]
The above compilation on 8 ways to prevent nail biting in toddlers, is based on my own experiences and some readings over time. As a mother i have learnt, what works best is to attend immediately, as if it forms a habit it becomes very difficult to prevent. Bad habits are just usual for every child, they undergo immense changes within and around them. So adopting habits from people is very common and actually a good sign of their healthy development. We just have to be a little alert and cautious until, well we will have ample situations at every age and stage of their growing up. So enjoy every bit of it, and be sure to not give in their bad habits.
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By Minu Manisha
