Does anyone have any advice as to how to get my 11 month old to stop biting? At first I thought he was doing it because he was teething, he would just bite the material from my shirt. Now, I think he is doing it to show his affection...however he is starting to really bite into my skin and it hurts!!!
I've always given my daughter something to bite on...a teething ring...an apple...whatever. I would always say, "We don't bite each other...we only bite (insert biting object here)."
If she would continue to bite, I would set her down and tell her that when she was done biting, she could come back and sit on my lap or whatever.
If you figure out how to stop it let me know...my 12 month old does the same. What I can suggest, though, is to watch your reaction to the bite. My husband likes to yell, "owww" and my son just thinks that's the most hilarious thing in the world and so he does it again! Try your hardest not to jump or react in a very animated way. I've been quietly telling him, "no no...owie" and that seems to be getting us somewhere!
I had pretty good luck with saying ouch and frowning, then immediately telling them to "touch mama gently" - take their hand and show how to touch gently. If they persist and don't remember "touch gently" after you've shown them a time or two, or if they seem to be biting out of mischief, you need to put them down, cease positive attention for a minute or two. When they do "touch gently," give lots of positive attention.
My second son was really bad about nipping, but luckily it was only me. He was especially bad about interrupting a nursing session to bite - ouch! It didn't last that long but I remember it well because it HURT. If you get the biting during nursing thing, end the session immediately and walk away, give no attention at all for a minute or two.
Hi Michelle,
My son did that as well. I talked to a doctor about it at a regular check-up. She told me the next time he bites and it hurts..to bite him back(make sure he feels it)and say that hurts mommy, I know it sounds kindof brutal but it WILL work after he realizes it hurts. It is also confirmed that they use that as affection, but be stern..Goodluck!
J.
My 14 month old nips at my shoulder sometimes - especially when he's feeling playful. He'll bite my finger if I (foolishly) put it in his mouth, too. He knows "no biting" (learned that one while breastfeeding at 7 months old) and if it's out of control I'll tell him that. Usually I just give him his "lovey" to bite, though. He knows he can chew on that as much as he wants. He has also learned "gentle" (we have cats) - and this can help.
My son (now 21 months) always liked biting fabric. He missed and got my skin sometimes. I'd say ouch, that hurts mommy and he looked at me a little stunned like he didn't mean to get me. When he got in that biting mode, I'd give him his shirt to bite and he was all smiles with that. Looked a little funny, but I think it was a sensory need that biting his shirt satisfied.
My son dose the same thing and they say to bite them back to show them that it hurts. Well i tried that and he laughs at me he thinks it is funny... What do i do????
