2006-09-09 03:59:53 · 22 answers · asked by c_monkey832003 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
Teething isn't the only reason a baby bites. There can be different reasons.
My daughter is 8 months old and she has started to bite me while I am breastfeeding her. It is not because she is teething (she does have two teeth, but I know the reason she is doing this). She is being playful and since she is a baby she does not know it hurts! The reason I know this is because she laughs when she does it, and smiles. Since she is just a baby, she doesn't know any better.
She also bites when I try to nurse if there are a lot of things going on around us. If it is loud she will bite, or if my son is playing. She gets distracted and wants to be involved in the activities. It is best to nurse in a quiet, non-active place to keep their attention on the nursing.
Some babies bite because it is another way of getting to know the things around them. They are brand-new and have different ways of experiencing touch! Even if it is their mouth! My 8 month old also likes to bite on her dresses, because she thinks they are pretty and soft! She smiles and laughs about that too! They like to do anything that might give them a different feeling & experience.
A baby will also bite because they are teething. It is very obvious when it is teething because they cry, are frusterated, and you can feel in their mouth for swelling (where the tooth is about the pop out). If you can feel in the mouth and find a swelled up spot, then that is the best place to put some Orajel! Give a wet rag to chew on that has been in the fridge, or teething rings. My daughter likes to bite on her pacifier when she is teething. Sometimes, nothing works. Then you just give them the right amount of tylenol for their age and try to comfort them as best as possible.
If you ever get frusterated with your baby, angry, or upset, always put the baby in his/her crib and walk away for awhile. Take a quick shower to calm down, lay down. It will not hurt a baby to cry for 10 minutes while you try and get some peace of mind for a short time.
2006-09-09 04:24:47 · answer #1 · answered by ForeverLove 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Biting is very common for babies and toddlers. It is due to teething or venting frustration. Never take anyones advice when they recommend to bite back. It just teaches that biting is okay and makes the problem worse.
A child this age isn't capable of truly putting herself in another's shoes, so she can't yet see the connection between what she does and what's done to her. What's more, young children do most of their social learning by following their parents' example, so biting your child or otherwise inflicting pain on her sets an appallingly bad example. After all, how will she learn that biting is beyond the pale if you do it, too?
Next time your baby bites, don't give him or her any reaction. Ignore it and immediately redirect or distract with a book or a toy. You could also offer a snack or a chew toy especially if they are teething.
I have 3 children and have studied early childhood development in college.
2006-09-09 06:18:19 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You didn't mention how old he is - but when you say baby, I am assuming he is a baby!
Between 4 months to 18 mon ths, they teeth and the aching gums may make them bite things to soothe the pain.
You may try offering him a teething ring or massage his gums with your finger (don't rub any of those pharmacy stuff - it is harmful). Try some Tylenol to ease the pain - but only after consulting your pediatrician that it is because of teething.
Safety 1st had a set of 3 toothbrush - the first one had no bristles but a bumpy knobbly head to chew on, which is good for teething babies. You should be able to find them in a pharmacy.
2006-09-09 04:04:00 · answer #3 · answered by estee06 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Very vague question. How old is the baby? Biting on what?
Generally they tend to bite when they are teething or sometimes if they are feeling stressed or frustrated. Yes, even babys can get frustrated or feel stressed. They pick up on the world around them very easily.
Good luck.
2006-09-09 04:06:41 · answer #4 · answered by Yvonne D 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try the teething tablets, Tylenol and Motrin. Offer your child a cold teething ring or a cold clean wash cloth. Don't get frustrated or bite them back. I disagree with parents that bite their child when the child bites them.
2006-09-09 05:27:28 · answer #5 · answered by okkiegal 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is a phase that all babies go through; it is also possible that he/she is teething and it helps w/the pain. My son is 19 months old and I can not break him from biting, but it will pass - eventually.
2006-09-09 04:21:56 · answer #6 · answered by RainCloud 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Probably teething, especially if he/she is dribbling a lot, has reddish cheeks and is a bit irritable. Generally at teething time the baby puts everything into its mouth to try and soothe the inflamed gums. Teething rings are good for them to chew on.
2006-09-09 04:03:43 · answer #7 · answered by solstice 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
probably teething. give the baby something else to chew/bite before biting people becomes a habit.
2006-09-09 04:03:17 · answer #8 · answered by lollipop 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The best thing I found for teething was Hyland's teething tablets, Infant Tylenol and Baby Orajel. The tablets are all natural and disolve in baby's mouth.
2006-09-09 04:09:48 · answer #9 · answered by Ryan's mom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Obviously your baby is teething.Get him/her a hard rubber toy to bite down on...and some teething gel
2006-09-09 04:02:17 · answer #10 · answered by Taylor29 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋