Biting - Trenton,FL

I agree with the posters who said to be vigilant about trying to anticipate when he'll bite. I would use distraction and redirection. I would also remind him that "teeth are for chewing food" or "teeth are for smiling." I would also tell him what he CAN do as part of redirecting him. "If you're excited, you can clap your hands!" Or "If you're upset, you can stomp your feet or jump up and down." I think it's really important to tell kids what the appropriate thing to do is because they won't know on their own at such a young age. I personally didn't do time out at that age because I think they are too young to get it. It's better to channel their actions in a more age appropriate way.

S. we have had the same problem with my 18-mth old...I spoke with his teacher about it and she told me to try to keep an eye out for when he seems like he is going to do it and grab him and take him out of the situation. We make him sit in time out in a toddler chair or the playpen empty. It has seemed to reduce the incidents. She told me that once they start being able to talk more the biting will stop because they won't be so frustrated...doesn't help us much though!!!

Good luck!

-L.

It's an aggressive behavior that wants to shift. Although he is young, try having him bring washcloths to the sink, wet them, wring them out, put them in a baggie and then put them in the freezer. You talk to him while he is doing this activity. That he gets to gnaw on them when he feels frustrated. (This is great for teething babies...)
The wash cloth does not care that he bites it; but people do mind.... Also, while he is focused on the chore, He may be young and unable to verbalize it; but when he knows you are there for him, he will learn to trust you and his own choices. Your conversations (with anyone, actually) also allow any language or communication barriers to be broken...it builds the bridge to your relationship.
My children would act out and when we sat down to find out the "root cause", it would end up that they didn't do a homework assignment, another kid acted aggresively...so many reasons for frustration.
God Bless us all. Parenting is an opportunity for us to make this world better through our children...

Hi -

I highly recommend teaching him some basic signs (help, more, all done)to help increase communication and ease the frustration level. Just a few signs has worked wonders for us and you can add more as you go along.

Watch for signs (is he biting when more tired, at the end of a play session, when kids are too close to his space, when he wants something) if see a pattern you can anticipate an incident and step in. If he bites remove him from the stituaiton immediately for a cooling off period (especially helpful if he is digging the negative attention like a squealing big sis). I highly agree with telling them calmly and firmly "biting hurts" when it happens and equally praising for "playing nice".

please don't bite back that just teaches physical agression at this age. it might stop the biting but then can lead to other physcial displays.

good luck!

I had the problem many many years ago(my daughter will be 34 this year), what someone suggested, and worked, was to bite my daughter (not too hard!) just enough for her to realize that it hurts. babies/small kids really don't know it hurts until they feel it. I hesitated, and when I tried, it all stopped. but, now a days, there might be other ideas! good luck.

Hey S.,
Try spraying him in the face with a spray bottle filled with water. The shock of it usually works.
God bless,
P.

My son used to do the biting. I had a meeting with the friends he play with. I told the thry could bit back but not hard.MY belief is the don't know it hurt. A little nip won't hurt him but will teach him it hurts.Tell me that is wrong but in less than a week he stopped bitting

This one is simple...... Bite him when he bites.... He doesn't know that it hurts and when you show him he will stop.