How to Stop Biting in Toddlers

Biting in toddlers can occur for various reasons. Biting can be the result of curiosity, aggresion,frustration, boredom, hunger, teething pain,need for attention, overstimulation or a combination of these factors. The vast majority of toddlers experiment with biting between their first and third year. The following tips can help stop biting in toddlers.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• age appropriate snacks
• patience

1. 

   Hunger can cause crankiness;a child may bite because of this crankiness. Make sure your child has had a meal or a snack before entering a social situation, such as a playdate.

2. 

   Parents may be inclined to allow their toddler to nip at them playfully. When the child then bites a playmate or sibling, they are reprimanded. Be consistent with your toddler. Your toddler should not be allowed to bite anyone, ever.

3. If biting does occur, do not overreact or scream at the child. Remove the biter from the victim. Offer the victim an apology and some comfort. Take the biter aside and communicate firmly but with a neutral tone, "Pleae don't bite. When you bite someone, it hurts them." Before the children return to their interaction, show the toddler that did the biting what type of physical contact is allowed. Show them how to hug or give "gentle touches".

4. 

   If you find yourself on the receiving end of a toddler's bite, respond accordingly. Although you may be inclined to laugh the first time biting happens, don't. Laughing or any other obvious response will only encourage more of the same behavior.

Tips & Warnings

• Recognize what is causing the biting and try to address it before the biting can occur.
• Be a role model to your child. Handle your frustrations in a mature manner.
• Pay attention to good behavior.
• Never bite your child in an attempt to show him how it feels. It is confusing and scary. You can injure a child in this way.

[hazelknows]

on 2/24/2009 Good advice and article

[Kathymcbain]

on 1/29/2009 This is great information, we have a biter in my family, so thank you!

[severt101]

on 1/22/2009 Have to remember this. Have a little one on the way.

[yourmamasaidwha]

on 1/22/2009 glad that you point out not to involve biting as mild horseplay...we had to let our nephews know that it's just not okay to do or accept when playing...i think they'll be much better off knowing! thanks for the great share!