It's not really a "bite", it's more lke a nip. He likes to nip my fore-arms the best. Doesn't matter if we're cuddling, or playing, he'll put his mouth on my arm and nips just the little bit of top skin, not like a whole mouth full. He only does it to me, not his daddy or big brother. I usually tell him 'don't bite' and say 'how 'bout a raspberry?' and he'll blow, you know - makes a raspberry. That usually works but otherwise, if he bites, I flick his cheek (like they tell ya to do if a baby bites while nursing) which works immediately, but doesn't prevent him from doing it again later. I'm afraid he'll be a biter in school if I don't do something but on the other hand, it might just be 'a mommy thing'. What do you think? And yes, for any of you wise-crackers, he eats well - gets lots of protein; I'm not a supplement!
2006-11-01 23:13:34 · 14 answers · asked by NEWTOME 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
He bites because he can. His teeth are new and he has no idea what they can do.
From what you said, it sounds like he bites when he's happy (cuddling or playing). Somehow, he got the idea that biting is an acceptable form of expression. The easiest way to cure him of that is to immediately put him down and walk a few steps away from him.
The second his teeth hit your skin (don't wait for him to actually bite) put him down and walk two or three (large) steps away from him and tell him (stern voice) that biting is not acceptable. Obviously, put it in words he'll understand. "No biting" will become associated with the immediate cessation of play or cuddling. It won't take him long to figure it out.
Whatever you do, don't hit him, don't bite him back and for god's sake don't smile or laugh at him!
Good Luck!
2006-11-01 23:30:45 · answer #1 · answered by DetroitBrat 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have no idea why toddlers do this and am not sure if you want advice on what you should do, but if you really are concerned about him becoming a biter you really need to do something about it now.
My older two children never did this but I'm ready to take on my baby daughter if she starts it. (Lol - her first two teeth are just breaking through now)
While visiting a neighbour just days ago I found it very difficult to sit and watch her 18 month old bite her multiple times while I was there for no longer than 1/2 an hour. She did say "don't do that" but it really wasn't with any 'meaning'.
I would suggest you need to quite seriously say to your baby
"Don't bite mummy"
and if you are holding him or nursing him while he does it tell him
"Mummy will have to put you down if you are going to bite her".
Basically remove him from being able to do it again. If he realises you don't want to hold him etc because he is hurting you it may make him stop doing it so that he can continue to be held by you.
Also a suggestion by a friend (we were discussing the biting thing today) who said her daughter used to be a biter - she found when her daughter bit her cousin, my friend went straight to the child that had been bitten and cuddled her and said to her daughter "You hurt Holly so mummy needs to give her a cuddle" in an attempt to show her daughter that the child that was bitten was getting the attention and not her daughter who had done the biting. She said this worked!!
Good luck :-) Hopefully he'll just grow out of it soon!
2006-11-01 23:42:18 · answer #2 · answered by Libbypeace 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your little guy is probably teething which makes kids want to bite down on something. It will go away. Doesnt mean hes a biter just that probably his mouth hurts some and maybe he needs biter bisquits or something hard(like frozen popsickles) to bite on.
2006-11-01 23:33:19 · answer #3 · answered by elaeblue 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Just tell him a firm no and he should get the drift. My son used to bite me on the shoulder when i was holding him and it really hurt. He is 19 months old and he thinks its funny to bite your finger or he tries to bite my nose when he kisses me sometimes but he thinks he is playing but gets rough sometimes. So far he hasn't tried to bite anyone else. I think its just they realize they have teeth now and are expermenting. Good luck
2006-11-01 23:18:37 · answer #4 · answered by mistiful2001 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's fun, Mom!
Mine does the same. I tell her, "NO BITING. WE DON'T BITE PEOPLE."
It's important we don't bite them back-seems logical, but is usually very tempting.
They'll get over it-they are just using the new chompers!
2006-11-01 23:18:54 · answer #5 · answered by radlmama 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like a Mommy thing to me
You sound like a wonderful Mommy
Things will be just fine
2006-11-01 23:25:20 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I know people on here will not agree with me and think i am evil beyond compare but if you bite him back he will stop.
2006-11-02 00:11:39 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
He is trying to communicate with you in his own style. He knows that he will get your complete attention once he bites you.
You will have to gently tell him to call you "Mom or mother or mamma, whatever stands for mother in your language if he wants to talk to you or wants you to attend to him or listen to him.
He'll get over it. Don't worry
2006-11-01 23:28:51 · answer #8 · answered by kamini 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
He's biting because he doesn't yet have the words to express himself.
2006-11-01 23:19:28 · answer #9 · answered by Chris 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
b/c he is teething but what do i know i am just 15 and have taking care of baby like all my life.
2006-11-01 23:23:09 · answer #10 · answered by ? 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋