Biting

Nicole - posted on 06/19/2009

I actually just posted a question alot like yours, I have been doing the "no biting " and stop, I hope it works!

Anitra - posted on 06/17/2009

I have a biter too, and she doesn't even have any teeth out! There's a lot of strength in those little jaws. I flick her cheek and tell her "NO BITING" if she's nursing. If she's biting other times, I pull her off and tell her "NO BITING".

Carrie-Jo - posted on 06/17/2009

My son does bite every now and then, started about a week ago. I really don't think he means to BITE persay though.....before his teeth came in I would let him suck on my finger and now that he has teeth, it really hurts! I dont think he's aware enough to know that he is causing me pain.....I dont agree with biting your kid back either. I think that just teaches them that biting is acceptable. I just keep telling him no, that it;s not nice and I put my finger over his mouth to make him aware that what he's doing with his mouth is not acceptable. With some consistency I believe this will work. Good luck, you arer not alone on this!!! lol

Lindsey - posted on 06/16/2009

I have a biter too and I'm glad you asked this question because everyone has such good ideas to get it to stop! Good luck.

Emily - posted on 06/12/2009

Quoting Cynthia:

You will hopefully find the word "stop" much more useful than 'no." the reason is simple, no says it is not ok, stop gives them the ideas to cease what they are doing now. So using "stop biting" will get them to release right now and give them the reinforcement to stop what theya re doing and said with the firm tone tell them it is not ok.
babies at this age need repetition for discipline techniques to be gentle but effective. it may take a month of biting, but it will stop. just like you don't want them at those plugs in the wall, remove from the situation and offer a distraction. "no" leads to instant attention from you without a real tangible form of what TO do versus what not to do. Ask yourself this, ok you told me what not to do (no biting) but what should I be doing (stop biting.) the instant attention also leads to doing it again.
Once you do get them to stop biting, relapes will occur as personalities emerge...just keep using stop and you will get them back on track. hope this helps and works for you...

Thanks soo much! Ill defonitaly try this with him.. I'm hoping it will get better as he had another tooth cut yesterday ( we are not up to three, two on the bottom one on the top). His pedi told me that he does understand no, because he is very good at listening to things and will occationally use it himself ( which i find rather funny) when i ask him things.. lol.. I guess its all just a phase.. but as a new first time mom.. im often lost when it comes to things like this.. and none of my siblings me included started biting until we were old enough to know any better lol

Cynthia - posted on 06/10/2009

You will hopefully find the word "stop" much more useful than 'no." the reason is simple, no says it is not ok, stop gives them the ideas to cease what they are doing now. So using "stop biting" will get them to release right now and give them the reinforcement to stop what theya re doing and said with the firm tone tell them it is not ok.

babies at this age need repetition for discipline techniques to be gentle but effective. it may take a month of biting, but it will stop. just like you don't want them at those plugs in the wall, remove from the situation and offer a distraction. "no" leads to instant attention from you without a real tangible form of what TO do versus what not to do. Ask yourself this, ok you told me what not to do (no biting) but what should I be doing (stop biting.) the instant attention also leads to doing it again.

Once you do get them to stop biting, relapes will occur as personalities emerge...just keep using stop and you will get them back on track. hope this helps and works for you...

Shannon - posted on 06/10/2009

my son has done this a couple times too!
i find that he gets worse during teething.... but he bit my shoulder once (really hard and left a bite mark) and it is something i do not want him doing! i have been telling him "no biting" too.... and sometimes he stops and other times he smiles at me.....lol
i know that yesterday he was sitting playing with a toy and all the sudden started screaming... i went over to see what happened and i saw bite marks on his arm...... he bit himself! i'm hoping now that he knows it hurts that he won't do it anymore.....
i'm not a big help... hoping it's just a phase!!

Melissa - posted on 06/10/2009

My son is teething and bites everything, including my finger if I let him. It just hurts and biting things reduces the pressure on their gums. He isn't old enough to understand what he is doing is wrong. I tell my son no and he just grins at me. I am sure it's just teething. Sorry I am not much help.