I was wondering what words of wisdom were available on toddler's who bite. My dauther is almost 22 months and bites; mostly when she is angry or does not get her way. She has left bruses and makes on both me and her dad. I hear that I should bite her back; before I attempt this path I thought I would see what has worked for others.
Thank you everyone for your feedback; I feel like I have enough information to help Chloe get over this issue. I do not believe she is biting because she is missing me - even when I am home all week if she does not get her way she bites. Plus she is at her grandmothers house while me and her father are at work so she is with her cousins and grandparents so I doubt she feels unloved. This is just a bad habit and I am glad that other have had success in biting back. I have tried everything else and this is a bad habit that has to end - she is almost breaking the skin she bites so hard. Thanks again!
I found for my daughter it was because she couldn't communicate what she felt/wanted. I worked on her vocab, taught her what to say if she needed help with something, and focused on expressing feelings. It's amazing to see an almost 2 yo say Mama I'm frustrated. But it stopped her biting. And she has an even bigger vocab now at 5.
Good luck, you'll find what works for your family.
A. H
Hi,
I haven't been a mom as long as you, my child is only 17 months, but my advice is don't bite back. This shows your child this is how you handle things as a adult, biting, not a good model.Your child,I'm guessing,is biting because she doesn't have the words to express her frustration. So far my child has only tried to bite me 1x, I was more surprised then anything. She wanted to be let go to run around and that was not my plan. I let her go and then went to capture her. I would say "no bite" to your child or try the naughty chair, essentialy time out, 1 1/2 minutes for 22 months.You also could try signing, there a number of books on it, my child would have none of it but it supposedly works, if you can your child to engage.
L.
Biting them back is the quickest way to teach them not to bite. Always ask them if they like how it feels, because it feels the same to you. Kids understand alot more than they are given credit for, just because they cannot yet talk, does not mean they don't understand what you are saying to them, or explaining to them. They will understand the connection, and it does not make you a bad parent to handle it in this way. Same with hair pulling, they pull, you tug on theirs and ask them how it feels. My 14 month old grandson no longer bites or pulls my hair using these techniques, he'll start to, and I just remind him that i'll do the same to him, and he smiles and stops.
I bit both of mine back...and they never bit again. But, I also asked them how that felt...did they like getting bit? And told them that is how the people they bit felt. I did it immediatly, as I was standing there when they bit. I dont think it is teaching them "how I handle things". They know I dont bite or hit ect when I am frusterated or angry.
Hi,
My mom actually said she had this issue with me when I was about 2. She said that she bite me back and I never bite again. I turned out fine, I think lol. Any how, your daughter will not think of you as crazy mom who bites. Try it out. One thing I am learning as a mom is to not be afraid to try different things. It is fine to make mistakes so you can see what works and what doesn't. Good Luck!
Staying at home with your child that is obviously missing you may help more than...biting her back?!? Your baby girl may be missing being loved by her mommy.
