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Nail-biting, nose-picking fiend

1 reply

AGapInTheMarket · 08/10/2018 13:23

My 5yo is bright, rather anxious and a bit orally-fixated. She had a dummy until 3yo.
She constantly has her fingers in her nose or mouth and has even bitten her toenails down to nothing. It happens more often if she's distracted - watching telly, being read-to or in the car. (The toenails seem to be when she's in bed at night).
I've tried a couple of brands of bitter stuff but it only seems effective straight after I've applied it and she also started getting it in her eyes when she rubbed them and screeching in pain. I was also applying antibacterial gel at night as it has a fairly nasty taste, but it also stings any sore bits and she was getting a bit upset when I was trying to put it on.
I don't really know what to do next! Any guidance much appreciated!!

OP posts:
Kleinzeit · 10/10/2018 10:30

Fidget toys. Try a variety of different ones, stretchy ones, bendy ones, clicky ones, and especially ones she can suck or chew, to keep her hands busy and give her the sensory comfort she wants. Explain that you want her to use them instead of nails or nose, keep them nearby, pass one to her if you see her fingers going where they shouldn't and praise (or even reward) her if she uses a toy without a reminder.

There are lots of examples here and here - they are rather expensive (and I am not saying she has ADD or autism!) but it shows the kind of toys I mean, you can find similar things in toy shops and novelty shops and even a rubber band or lump of blutak may help if you have nothing else, though you may prefer to pay more for a toy she can safely chew.

I keep a fidget cube on my desk at work Grin

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