How can i stop my son from bitting himself?

Christina - posted on 03/16/2012

I'm not really sure what a doctor or behaviorist would do, but I would find a natural food ingredient (clear colored) like garlic oil or ??/and put some on the arm that your child keeps biting. Watch the child's reaction and tell them that biting your arm does not taste good does it? but seems that the child may be dealing with some type of stress? in this case there should be something else that the child could do in order to substitute the intense feeling that they might get from biting themselves. When my now 14 year old was only 2, he used to pull his belly button (it was not an outy), but he kept rolling it in his fingers when it was time to go to sleep (it calmed him), and soon after many months it became an outy. Since he and my then husband would argue (not loudly), but the terseness and intensity and snappishness was obvious, it seemed (or at least i thought), that my son was relieving the pent up stress that children feel in situations where something stressful is in the air. Could be anything actually. My son began to stretch the belly button skin and then let go of it creating a 'snapping' noise like grabbing the end of a filled balloon and then letting go! so GROSS! I used to be so worried but the doctor said to try this and that and nothing worked. It was hard but I just would try to calm him before bed (bath, baby massage, etc,) and slowly he stopped doing it, but it took one full year. I thought he would end up marred, (usually the belly button was dark due to the constant tugging), but it finally receded back in and the discoloration left. Now he's completely normal and is 14 years old. He doesn't even remember. I got divorced from his dad when he was 6 years old. His father is in his life and tries to be a good dad and sees the boys. But....my son bites his nails. This has lessened in the last two years though also. Stress can play a major role in our kids even if we think we are not showing it, they 'feel' it from us.

Sharlene - posted on 10/28/2011

Hi .could he be teething give him some teething rings to bite. cheers

Amber - posted on 10/25/2011

my son is 2 years old and as well does this but he can be watching a show or movie and completely content and happy but either biting his finger or arm and he has actually bruise himself a few time from it so far nothing has help i think it could have something to do with stress levels or even over stimulation

Veronica - posted on 05/03/2010

hello :)

well im not sure what to make of it but if u want him stop immediatly i have an idea !

find a non-toxic sunscreen and just rub that on his arm. it is harmless if he swallows it and it should turn him completely away from it.

i know its not the best solution but its an idea.

as long as it wont harm bubby then whats the problem right.

well good luck i hope all goes well x

Heather - posted on 05/02/2010

To the occupational therapist in me, it sounds like a sensory thing. Try giving him something else to chew on, and if you notice him starting to bite, interrupt him and give him a big bear hug (he is probably seeking the pressure). Then offer another sensory activity- horseplay, jumping, playing with whip cream in his high chair, playing with bubble wrap, etc.

Tabatha - posted on 05/02/2010

It sounds to me like he's trying to get mommy or daddy's attenton. Some children hurt themselves just for attention, even if he is only 10 months old. or could be what Kristin Mentioned.

Kristin - posted on 05/02/2010

It's kind of the same thing as a child hitting, playing with, pinching, biting nails, sucking on thumb or fingers. It's a soothing thing for him. It is also a way for him to stimulate himself.

To reduce the behavior, don't know if you can really stop it, you will need to just redirect him to something else each time you catch him doing it. Don't make a big deal out of it, that will just make it worse. Be patient, it will pass in time.