The baby puts its fingers in the mouth while still in the mother womb. It is not surprising that children begin to bite their nails and burrs very early: this is a natural movement for a person. Often mothers are touched by the sight of a child with a finger in mouth. But the habit of nail biting is not at all safe: because of it, an infection gets into the mouth and the shape of the nails deteriorates. How to deal with the habit of biting nails in children, and what happens if do not do it?
- Why children bite their nails: how a habit is formed
- What's wrong with nail biting
- How to help your child get rid of an ugly habit
- Methods you shouldn use
Why children bite their nails: how a habit is formed
What could be easier than putting your finger in the mouth, grabbing the edge of the nail with your teeth and tugging? Although nail care products have been known since ancient Egypt, most people get rid of regrown nail edges in this natural way. Therefore, this habit is so common: every second child bites his nails, and adults do not shy away from this either.
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But in children's habit of biting their nails often acquires a neurotic connotation. When a baby is sad, he is upset, his parents are unhappy with him, he drags his finger into his mouth. Some psychologists believe that in this way the child satisfies the sucking reflex, as if moving into the period of infancy, when everything was fine. And when the finger is already in the mouth, the nail bitten off very quickly.
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What's wrong with nail biting
The main danger, of course, lies in the & nbsp; dirt under the nails. During the day, children play in the street, go to toilet, crawl on the floor, and take hold of all kinds of surfaces and objects. Microparticles of different materials remain under the free edge of the nail: this is how dirt accumulates. With this dirt, an infectious agent can enter the oral cavity, and it will be good if everything ends with a simple indigestion, and does not create more serious problems. Micro-wounds often appear in the place of bitten nails, which can also get infected.
Also, bitten nails — it is not comfortable. The uneven edges of the nail cling to the fabric, leaving puffs and additionally injuring the nail bed. If the child bites his nails for years, the nail plate changes shape. The human nail has a rather complex structure: the free edge of the nail protects the underlying layers. If this edge is constantly gnawed under the root, the shape of the nail hole becomes more trapezoidal. For girls, this is fraught with problems with manicure: it will not be possible to grow long nails with such a form, all that remains is to stick artificial ones.
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How to help your child get rid of an ugly habit
There are several ways to combat nail biting. Which one is right for your child depends on his character. If it didn't work the first time, do not despair, but try another way. But be careful and patient. If you go too far, the baby may develop a real neurosis, and then you can do without the help of a psychologist.
Nail care
Neatly trimmed nails — it is beautiful. If once every few days you pay attention to nail care, show your baby how to use a nail file and scissors, use children's nail polish, you can teach your child to take care of his hands. Children's scissors with rounded ends and non-toxic children's varnish will make the procedure completely safe.
Lac Bite
Our grandmothers and mothers weaned children from the bad habit of biting their nails by smearing their fingertips with bitter ointment or rubbing with pepper. The effectiveness of the method is rather small: in the end, we ourselves teach the child to wash their hands. Now they have invented a special non-biting varnish: enamel with a bitter taste is applied to the nail and dries. Not suitable for everyone: some children pull their fingers into their mouths more than ever, first gnaw off the varnish from the nail, and then the nail itself.
Pleasant activity for hands
Fingers won't end up in the mouth if the hands are busy with something that brings pleasure to the baby. Modeling from plasticine and colored sand, games with mosaic and puzzles, soft toys that can be wrinkled in hands, — all these activities will help to distract the baby from own nails.
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Fight anxiety
This method is suitable if the child bites his nails when he is nervous. To calm him down, ask him to take a deep breath. This will saturate the brain with oxygen, but also make you release your finger from your mouth. When the finger is free, talk to the child, hug and calm down to remove anxiety.
Methods you shouldn use
If you pull the child every time when he drags his finger into the mouth, and then apply physical action — — to spank, to beat on hands — he will stop doing it. At least with you. But this method has at least two negative consequences. Firstly, it is possible that the child will begin to bite his nails in secret from you, and you will notice this later. Secondly, the baby may begin to develop neurosis. So better don't resort to such methods.
Even if you failed to wean your child from the ugly habit and he continues to bite his nails, don despair. With a high probability, he will simply outgrow this habit.
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