Biting Nails

Boo&BugsMom wrote: Someone else awhile back wrote a post about this but I can't find it. Tanner has taken up the habit of biting his nails! I can NOT get him to stop. The only plus side is that I haven't had to trim his nails in months! I hate the fact that he does it, and it certainly doesn't help that he sees daddy and grandpa doing it all the time either . He also doesn't spit the nails out, he swallows them...BLAH! I admit, the habit could be something much worse, but he just seems so young to be getting into this habit. Any suggestions on how to get him to stop?

mom21kid2dogs replied: I know with girls nail polish is a great way to reward not biting. Can you think of something hand related for a boy that you can tie in for a reward? (Making and playing with play dough is all that is coming to my caffine deprived brain at the moment. Or you could resort to what my parents did for me~they paid me for every nail I grew to the end of my fingertip. It was a rather hefty sum (I was about in the 6th grade by then) but I stopped then & there. Of course, I did take up biting the skin around my nails which I still do but I always have nice long nails. Probably did want that part of the story, though, did 'ya!!

Boo&BugsMom replied: I could give that a whirl...the payment plan. Man, I've even gone as far as bribing the kid to go to Chuck E Cheese, and I am not usually the bribing kind of parent on a whole. If I used nailpolish hubby would kill me...but I'd love to see the look on his face if I did!

1lilpeanut2love replied: I have seen men wear clear nail polish! What about doing that???????????

Boo&BugsMom replied:
I don't think he'd let me. The boy that is, or the hubby for that matter. He's a very stereotypical boy, hates anything girly, so if I tried, he'd probably put up a big stink about it or pretend not to care and chew them anyway.

They make this stuff at the store they call Thumb. I may give that a whirl. It's used for weaning thumb suckers, but it gives the same effect.

hoosier momma replied: I believe they make something like Thumb for nail biters too. I remember my mom using it on my sister. You might try vinegar, it tastes just as nasty and won't harm him. It is probably a lot cheaper too.

McKenna replied: I am ashamed to say I'm 25 and still biting my nails, I am at the moment 'quitting' it's more difficult than you think when its such an ingrained habit. There this tuff you can buy called 'Stop N Grow'.

It see through and you paint it onto the nails, and basically it tastes really bitter.

It's safe for children, and I buy it from the pharmacy counter at the local supermarket, so I'd recommend that, its working fantastic for me and I actually have nails for the first time in years.

I should imagine it is also available in America if not a similar product will be available just go to your pharmacist and ask about it there.

luvmykids replied: Have you happened to notice when he does it? Colt went through a phase of it and we figured out it was nerves/boredom. He did it mostly when he was watching TV or in a strange and overwhelming environment so we did all sorts of things to help with those factors rather than really concentrating on the actual nail biting.

Hillbilly Housewife replied:
Ok... so what about telling him that you WILL put nail polish on them if he bites them?

A nice bright PINK one. with GLITTER!!!

CantWait replied:


Hey that might work.

Boo&BugsMom replied:
I haven't fully paid attention to when he does it, but he does do it A LOT if his hands are not busy, like when he's watching tv or doing an art project. It's like he can't just leave his hands alone. I'll see him through the rearview mirror too in his booster seat chewing away in the van.

skinkybaby replied:
I'll have to try that. I still bite my nails, too. I know its disgusting, but I do it without even thinking about it.