2.3yr old dd biting nails - Isn't this a bit young?

[MrsWalton]

She's properly biting them, sometimes getting pieces of nail caught in her teeth. She bites them when she's watching the television, almost subconciously,

How can i get her to stop. I can't bear the idea that she's now a nail biter.

Is it not stupidly young to start this?

That's FINGERnails obviously! Please help.

Don't know what, if anything, you can do but my DD2 started this at around her second birthday and is still doing it at 2.6 (although she did stopfor a short while )

At least she's not the youngest. Have you thought of putting that kak stuff on her nails? Don't know what's in it though. She'd wise up to it fairly quickly too.

My ds1 started nail biting at about 3 and his little brother appears to have copied him, so started at about 2 and a half.

I was a nail biter and you are NOT going to be able to stop her - I used to suck the "kak stuff" off my nails and then carry on biting (and the skin around the nails, which tasted really good...pork scratchings, anyone???...). It's not that disgusting if you really want to bite your nails. I eventually stopped nail biting in my 20s - but still can't resist the urge to pick my nail off or bite it off if there's a little rough bit on it (just too annoying to leave if you're nowhere near a pair of scissors or a nail file), so try to ensure your daughter's nails are as smooth as possible (eg file what's left of them), so there's nothing there to encourage her to bite in the first place. And point out to her that it's really not very hygienic, given the amount of dirt that gets trapped under the nails. Apart from that, they're her nails and she's going to do what she wants with them, regardless of any sensible advice you may give her.

Sorry, missed your reply lat night.

I agree with everything asteamedpoater said. I was a nail biter too and still bite my nails now on occassion - it's a hard habit to break. Sometimes peer pressure or a desire to look more girly will do the trick but I think you'll be waiting a while for that!

One thing I would add is that I definitely bite mine when I am sitting doing not much - BFing, watching TV (don't do that much now though) so a good deterrent is to give her something else to do with her hands (MNetting works for me ). My DD2 has 'quiet time' when she watches a dvd, she has her comforter at the same time usually but if she doesn't have it to hand she bites her nails instead. It's the same at storytime.

Thanks for your replies.

I am so annoyed at myself. I too am a bit of a 'chewer' and the first time i noticed her at her nails, was in the car when i was stopped at the lights and i was subconciously chewing away.

So i know she picked it up from me. I hate i have passed that on to her.

Is there anyone who can tell me that their dc bit nails for a while and then stopped?

Is there still a chance?