Nail Biting Problems for a 21 Month Old

I would say try using a petroleum jelly to keep her hands from being chapped. Also try doing mommie-and-daughter manicure days!!! Wash your hands together and soak them in a mild soapy water solution, whatever baby wash you use, and then dry them. File them down for her then let her do yours (or help her do yours). Next use the petroleum jelly as your nailpolish. Put it in a small travel container, so she won't know what it is to try to find it, and rub it on your hands together. Express to her that keeping her nails pretty will make them grow strong and that if she doesn't bite you and her will do this all the time.
I hope that may help a little.

I have never personally had to deal with this...But there are a lot of bad habits that little ones pick up...THey say it is out of boredom. When does she usually bite? My 2.5 yo picks his nose like it is going out of style...But he only seems to do it when he isn't doing something active (riding in the carseat, watching tv, etc.)...So, if we give him something to occupy him during those times (a book for the car, a healthy snack during tv, etc) it really helps to cut down on his nose picking sessions...The other thing is it could be caused by anxiety (also depending on when she is biting). I would definitely try to break her of this habit though...My dad used to do this as a child and actually got an infection where they had to give him a shot under the nail in the nail bed...
Sorry I don't have any concrete help! Hope it gets better!

A.

Hello S., my name is D.. My daughter, when she was around the same age, had the same problem. She would bite her nails until they bled, and there were barely any left. I received tons of advice, but only one thing worked. Children need consistency, in their daily schedule and discipline. I didn't have much of a schedule, meal times were whenever we got hungry, somedays we'd stay out shopping with my mom for hours, other days we stayed home with little to do. I also tended to over-discipline my daughter, not realizing that many of the things she did were normal for that age. So, I lightened up and became more consistent. Each meal, bath, playtime outside, even the trips to stores were done at a set time. Once she got used to it (which didn't happen overnight) she not only quit biting her nails, but became more creative and imaginative during playtime. We were both more at ease. I sure hope this helps you, it did me when nothing else would.

Have you tried gloves? I know most kids don't like to wear them but if they are the pretty dress up kind that would come in a princess costume, maybe that might work. Good Luck!

Wow that seems young to be biting so much. Try polishing her nails and she will see how prety they look and if she bites them all the polish will come off. There are polishes that are non toxic you can get. Have you talked to her Doc. about it?.