Is My Baby a Bully at 8 Months??

Okay, I know this may sound a little harsh, but I have this thing about biting, I HATE being bitten, so when my son was about 8 months old, and he tried to bite me, I bit him back. Not hard mind you, just hard enough to let him know that it doesn't feel pleasant. He did it mabey one more time, and I bit him back again. Again, not hard, just enough to let him know that he he didn't like the feeling any more than I did when he did it to me. He hasn't bitten me since. I did the same thing when he got a month or so older and decided he wanted to start pulling my hair. I don't think babies realize how uncomfortable these things are until they are done to them. So, I recommend letting him know that these things are very unpleasant for you. It worked wonders for me. My son is almost 5 years old, and he's never been a biter or a hair puller!

welcome to the 'mean baby club'...I'm just kidding and I wish I had some good solid advice for you, but I'm not sure I do. My little boy use to do the exact same thing. He chews on my shirts and usually ends up with half my arm and I end up with bruises, scars, scabs and holes. It is SO painful. LIke you, I'm not sure where he got it, other than it's just something he does, perhaps connected to teething so early and having so many teeth. He's 14 months now and it seems to be getting better, but he still loves to chew on my shirt, pants, any material. I tried giving him other things to chew on, but it never helped. When he did bite or pull hair I would tell him no-no and set him on the floor or anywhere away from me to try to let him know he did something wrong. Perhaps that helped since his biting and pulling hair has pretty much stopped. I've noticed now that if he gets mad he'll try to bite or pull hair intentionally, but that's about the only time. So, at some point they do start to understand.

good luck

ps. he still chews on my shirt when going to sleep. I've tried baby towels, cloths, an extra shirt, etc for him to chew on other than the one I'm wearing...no luck. :-)

My son started doing this and I told him to stop and when he continued I bit him back!!! Im old school when it comes to raising my child and since he may be an only child I have to work especially hard w/ him on knowing he will be held accountible for his actions and those actions brings consequences. He was shocked at first then cried. When he did it again and I told him to stop and he didnt I bit him again and this time he really cried but hasnt done it since!

Now keep in mind that I didnt do it hard just alittle to get him to realize that it hurts and it will not be tolerated. If I remember correctly he was about 8mos at this time.

Keep in mind that even though he is a 'baby' he already knows right from wrong at this point in his life and you need to be strong and let him know that you will NOT tolerate biting.

Best of Luck...

I am interested in what others say about this myself. My son is 12 months and he has bit and pulle dhair, etc. for months now. I get bruises on my arms from his biting. I am glad to know I am not going this alone! I think he started biting about at 8 months!

By now, you know his subtle movements or tricks when he is about to bite... or pull hair so you have to be there and substitute something else and or stop him from biting and pulling hair... For example...
he is moving over towards sisters hair... be on top of him at his side and prevent him from grabbing at his sisters hair by keeping his hand away. They may have to wear their hair up for awhile. My son liked grabbing at my hair and this is what I constantly had to do, anticipate his movements and preven him before he did it. He just did not or does not get it that it hurts you..
He is practicing cause and effect... Will the same thing happen each and every time? By you preventing him from pulling hair by holding his arm or hand, you are making his muscles learn muscle memory... I got my somewhat older son an Eddie doll... took away the small parts and the glossy shiny shortish hair was a substitute head of hair...

As for the biting, if he is on you, about to sleep and you see him moving his head over to bite your arm or shirt to say goodnight, quickly put a washcloth in that spot so he can bite that instead or some other piece of fabric or teething toy he likes. Head him off at the pass. They are teething and biting feels good on their gums. He does not realize it hurts you. When he gets bit back, he is only thinking why did mommy hurt me, not putting the 2 together yet. Besides I always felt worse when I did whatever he did back to me.

Just be consistent about prevention... holding him at different angles where he can't get to you, or putting him down when he does manage. He will eventually learn not to use you or your daughters as the toy or thing to chew on.

BITE BACK! That is the only way that he will learn how much it hurts. I think that when I was little I only bit one time. My mom bit me and I learned my lesson.

My second was exactly like that. He bit everyone and everything. I had the bruises and blood, too. Right after he drew the blood I started thinking about what to do. Well, I may be the mean mom, but I started biting him back. Not hard, but enough to leave an indention in his arm. He cried, but didn't bite for about a week. He bit again and I bit him again. He looked at me, surprised, and bit me again. I bit him again. He cried and has never bitten again. He is now 2 &1/2 and if he looks like he is going to bite I just say his name and give him the "look" and he doesn't. It is probably barbaric, but I bet a lot of mom's do it and don't admit it!!

K.

Try not to over-react. Even at this young age, he enjoys getting a reaction out of you. A loud "OW" may only encourage him. Calmly tell him "no biting" and re-direct him elsewhere. Good luck.