Biting Baby solutions?

Cari - posted on 05/21/2009

Sounds exactly like what my son did. He'd bite me, look at me and smile! I thought the devil was in there. I did some research on this one, becasue he can get kicked out of day care for this behavior. What I found out is that they can be biting for many reasons, low blood sugar (Pay attention to what your feeding him when he bites), teething or because they don't know how to communicate what they are feeling happy or angry. If there is a pattern related to foods, maybe start giving him less complex carbs/sugar and more proteins like peanut butter/eggs/cheese etc. If it's not related to food there are a couple of schools of thought regardless of the Happy/Angry emotion. One you've done, a stern "no bite", grab them by the sholders and say "you sit" and make them sit and then turn your back to them. Toddlers don't like to be ignored especially by Mom. Consistency is key!! If that doesn't work (didn't for me after 3 or 4 tries) then when they bite say "no bite" pick them up and put them in their crib and close their door. Leave them in there for like 2 minutes, which is a really long time for them. When I went to get him, I stood in front of the crib and talked to him as if he could understand me. "You hurt mommy, you cannot bite me, I don't bite you, lips are for kissing. Tell me your sorry, pick him up, kiss and hug them and then move on to some new activity, like it never happend. I had to do this twice and he hasn't bitten me since, it's been a month. Good luck!

Jen - posted on 05/17/2009

I love that picture by the way. lol. My daughter started biting at 9 months. She hasn't done it in awhile and she never did it as a daily occurrence or anything, but when she was old enough for discipline I would put her in time out for it. I also tried slighty tapping her in the mouth and saying no. It didn't really phase her, but some mother's find that it works. A friend of mine told me to bite her back because that's what his mom did to the children she takes care of. I didn't like the idea of biting my child and also she doesn't understand empathy yet so it wouldn't make a difference anyway. Just be firm with him, put him in time out, and make sure he knows that biting will not be tolerated.

Darlene - posted on 05/17/2009

My son did it to me once. I was so unprepared for it, and it hurt, that I actually yelped really loudly. It seemed to scare him and he hasn't done it since. It sounds like it has become a game with your son. Have you actually walked away form him? Left the room? It might a more clear "I don't like that".

Mabel - posted on 05/16/2009

My son did the same but I put him on time-out and told him firmly that he was hurting mommy and you don't hurt mommy. I wouldn't talk to him again and made sure he stayed against the wall and he hasn't done it anymore. Ofcourse I did the same routine for punishment everytime. They are never to young for discipline. I think they do it for affection or attention. I have 3 other boys and they went through it too. He has to understand that he is hurting you and that is not appropriate behavior and you are not going to tolerate it. You have to nip it soon because they will lash out to others and you never know where and when or who. So nip it as soon as possible he is hurting you and your husband and that is just not right. You're his parents. Have fun in parenting and keep cherishing your son it goes by to fast!