Our 3 year old has started biting her fingernails and picking her toe nails. She also "lost" her paci a couple of weeks ago and got a new baby brother in June. I am sure I know the reason WHY she's doing it, but how can I get her to stop? I tell her that when she has the feeling to bite or pick her nails she should put her hands on her knees. We bought the icky stuff for her fingers but haven't used it yet b/c she has her hands on everything I don't want it getting on things that the baby might put in his mouth. We have been very careful to include her on everything and also make an effort to spend 15 minutes with just her doing her favorite things each day. Any suggestions would be great!
What about painting her nails. Maybe you could tell her that in order for you to paint them and keep them pretty she would have to keep her fingers and toes out of her mouth. After you have painted them, let everyone know and make a BIG deal out of it.
Hope this idea helps:P
My daughter would also bite her nails off and on. My husband is a nail biter. How I handled it was I started including her when I would polish my nails and she then focused on wanting to have a little longer nails like mommy.
Ignore it. The more you call attention to it or try to get her to stop, the more shame and anxiety it causes (even if you do it nicely). Keep her occupied. You can redirect her attention by giving her things to do with her hands. This will keep her from doing it without making it an issue. Ask her if she wants to color or play with playdoh or play catch or have a snack or a drink or give her some fidget toys (squishy balls to squeeze, etc). As a part of her grooming routine, clip and file her nails to keep them well groomed. Ragged nails encourage more biting and chewing.
My 3 year old daughter bites her nails as well. I don't know that it has anything to do with changes in her life because it started well after her brother was born. Maybe it is just a phase they go through when their nails actually get long enough to bite them. I try to keep them cut so that there isn't much for her to bite and we do keep polish on them as much as possible. I am not sure it is something to be worried about though. I am 26 and have been a nail biter for as long as I can remember.
