Thabiting Nails

From Sally Beauty supply there is a nail polish called "no bite". I believe Orly makes it. I use it on my husband all the time. It's VERY bitter...so when they bite subconciously (sp?) the taste is there and deters it. the polish will last at most 2 days on the nails depending on wear and tear.

Something similar can be found at Walgreens, and it's in the baby section. Not sure of the name though.

It sounds like a nervous habit that, as you indicated, is a soothing mechanism. If possible, I'd see what other things calm him down (blanket, etc). For one of our kids, it's thumb sucking. For the other, it's her pacifier. For both, it's their blankets.

It can also be an indicator of OCD - nothing I'd rush to call the pediatrician about, but I'd put it on a list of topics to discuss the next time you have an appointment to see what they recommend.

Just remember that deterring this behavior (which sounds justified) may lead him down the road of another behavior you'll have to correct later.

Good luck!

I second the recommendation to redirect his nail biting by moving his hands and putting something in them instead. I am a partially reformed nail biter and it was only as I got older that I was able to stop the habit. I had to make a really conscious effort to catch and redirect myself. Now I only bite when I am thinking hard/focused or stressed. I would strongly discourage putting anything on his hands to make them taste unpleasant. My own mother took this route and I hate to admit it but it was really traumatic. I always felt I was unable to please her since I cried through whatever horrid thing she applied, biting my nails through the tears and discomfort. Good luck.

Any habit is going to be hard to break...that is why they call it a habit. It sounds like he is stressed out, first he had his nuk taken away and now he has a new sibling in the house. Some children can handle to change, others can't. I would try and redirect his attention when he starts biting his nails.. a hug or kiss or attention for you will probably do the trick. However, yelling or punishment will have an opposite effect. I would pull his fingers out of his mouth, gentle say we don't bite our fingers nails, give his a hug/kiss and ask if he would like to color or something that will keep his hands busy so he doesn't have time to bite them. You can also go with the nail stuff that makes it taste horrible to have them in his mouth but I have heard that isn't all that effective and they get used to the taste. Good Luck!

There was a vinegar based clear nail polish. I'm not sure if it's still around. Vinegar was the old drink. Just using a cotton ball to wipe some on the nails. When my kids put their hands in their mouth I gently grab their hand and kiss it and say ucky. But they don't have bad habbits and weren't thumb suckers either.

I bit my nails forever.........took great will power to stop..........you can try putting stuff on his fingers like they do for thumb sucking, but it probably won't help.............

What about giving him something to take care of? A stuffed animal, or some toy he can put in a pocket..........
When he bites his nail, take his fingers from his mouth and put something else in his hand........toy, keys, something......don't say anything, just do it.......

If that doesn't work, talk to your doctor and see if he has any ideas.........

Good Luck and take care.