• Skip to content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Shop ModernMom
  • Become An Insider

ModernMom

The premiere destination for moms

  • Parenting
    • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Kids
    • Tweens and Teens
    • ModernMom Monday Videos
  • Cooking
  • Living Healthy
    • Breast Cancer
    • Health & Fitness
    • Body after Baby
    • Beauty
    • Relationships
    • Love
  • Lifestyle
    • Crafts
    • At Home
    • Education
    • Travel
    • Pets
    • Decorate
    • Money
    • Brooke Burke
  • Celebrate
    • Holidays
      • Easter
      • Valentine’s Day
      • New Year’s
      • Christmas
      • Hanukah
      • Halloween
      • Thanksgiving
    • Birthdays
    • Parties
  • Must Have
  • Contests
  • Entertainment

How to Stop Toddler Nail Biting

January 5, 2011 by ds_3c4390334a86 Leave a Comment

Your toddler may develop habits such as thumb sucking and hair twirling, but according to CVS Health Resources, nail biting is the most common. It is also the habit that is most likely to be carried through into adulthood. Your toddler may be nail biting for a number of reasons such as to pass the time, boredom, to relieve stress or out of habit. Although most children will grow out of nail biting, there are a number of steps you can take to help stop a toddler from biting her nails.

Step 1

Record the times of day or the activities the toddler is involved with when nail biting occurs. This could be an activit,y such as watching television, or a time of day, such as just before mealtime. You may need to observe the toddler for several days to recognize patterns.

Step 2

Give the toddler a substitute activity that by default will replace nail biting. For example, give the toddler a rubber ball to play with. Finger puppets will also keep the toddler occupied while covering the nails, preventing them from being bitten.

Step 3

Talk to your toddler about any anxieties the toddler may be feeling. The toddler may not be able to express these anxieties, so you may have to continue the conversation until the toddler reveals something that is troubling. Recent experiences such as parents divorcing or a family move may be sources of anxiety.

Step 4

Remind the toddler when nail biting occurs. Because it may be a subconscious habit, he may not even recognize the habit.

Step 5

Cut her fingernails short, at least partially removing the temptation.

Step 6

Encourage the toddler to stop biting her nails. Encouragement can work, but the toddler needs to want to quit. Continue a dialogue with the toddler and wait. In most cases, she will stop the habit.

Comments

comments

Filed Under: Parenting

About ds_3c4390334a86

Doug Hewitt has been writing for 20 years and has a Master of Arts from UNC-Greensboro. He authored the book The Practical Guide to Weekend Parenting, which includes health and fitness hints for parents. He and his wife, Robin, are co-authors of the Free College Resource Book.

Reader Interactions

Primary Sidebar

Search

Tell a friend

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

ModernMom TV

Featured

10 Life Lessons I Want To Pass On To My Daughter

I look at my little girl, who is now three years old, and I … [Read More...] about 10 Life Lessons I Want To Pass On To My Daughter

Must Have

STEM-related Toys to Include in Your Child’s Easter Basket This Year 

April has arrived which means it’s time to pull out the food … [Read More...] about STEM-related Toys to Include in Your Child’s Easter Basket This Year 

Did you know?

Symptoms of Pregnancy If HCG Injection Is Taken

How to Even Out a Spray Tan That Left White Spots

How to Even Out a Spray Tan That Left White Spots

Breast Pains & Pregnancy

Breast Pains & Pregnancy

Natural Remedies to Increase Sperm Count

Natural Remedies to Increase Sperm Count

Mild Cramping During Early Stages of Pregnancy

pregnant while not ovulating

Can I Get Pregnant While Not Ovulating?

Refrigerate Fresh Lemon Juice

How Long Can You Refrigerate Fresh Lemon Juice?

Can I Use Baking Powder to Thicken Sauce

Can I Use Baking Powder to Thicken Sauce?

What Will Draw Smells Out of a Closet?

What Will Draw Smells Out of a Closet?

Baby Brain Development in the Womb

Footer

  • About Us
  • Contact ModernMom
  • Advertise With Us
  • Press
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Contributors

Copyright © 2023 Modern Mom. All Rights Reserved.

Reproduction of any portion of this website only at the express permission of Mom, Inc.

The information provided on ModernMom is for educational use only. It should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.