22 Month Old That Bites & Hits Newborn

Sibeling rivalry is sometimes terriable. Don't leave them alone. When the "terriable 2s" does something good for you or baby reward her with plenty of hugs and kisses. She needs to know that she hasn't been replaced and she has to learn that the new baby is helpless without her big sister. It would also help to tell her how helpless she use to be before she grew into the little helpfull lady that she has. Be positive. The reinforcement will help.

Hi J., your daughter is angry and jealous and she doesn't know how to express that verbally so she is acting out physically. You are right that you cannot leave her alone with the baby, even for a moment. My daughter was the same way when we brought her brother home. Three years later, she is still very jealous and picks on her brother when she's mad about something. At 22 months, you cannot reason with her. She can only see her side of things. Check out loveandlogic.com It is a very effective method of disciplining children and it even works on young children. Try coming up with one empathetic line to say to her each time she acts out, like "You're sad that Mommy's feeding the baby, I know that is hard for you..." follow it up with a hug, and just repeat, repeat, repeat. Do not let her see your anger or frustration. This can take awhile, but hopefully she will eventually know that you are empathetic to her feelings and that will give her back some of the security she had as your one and only. Good luck!

I don't know if this would work with siblings but it worked on my daughter biting at Daycare. Everyday that she would bite I took something away from her that she loved to do or play with. Everyday she didn't, she got 1 item back. In my daughters case it took 3 days when I finally took away her favorite movie. every day I would remind her going into school that biting was bad and if she did it what would be taken away that day. I kept the items where she could see them but not reach them as a reminder for the whole night. She has never bitten anyone again.

Hi J. -
to me it sounds like your daughter is looking for attention - anyway she can get it. I recently went through the same thing with my oldest daughter and the new baby. not to your extreme...but i sat with my oldest and asked her if mommy was spending to much time with the baby - and she told me yes. so, we have a "phase" that Brooke will say when she needs a little mommy time - she will tell me - it is time to CUDDLE - and i will hand baby off to dad - go with Brooke to her room, read a book together, or play a game - just her and mom. and i have received nothing but positive behavior from my almost 3 year old now. when Jenna was born Brooke was 2 and 2 months - now Brooke is almost 3 (next month) and Jenna is 9 months and honestly they are the best of friends. but we still use CUDDLE as are key word for one on one time if Brooke feels like she is not getting enough attention. it is hard to split your time - espeically with an infant because all they have it you to take care of them.

good luck and hope this helps.
K.