Take the Bite out of your Toddler's Biting Problem


The majority of toddlers engage in some biting between their first and third birthdays. Probably the most common reason is that it is one of the few ways of communicating that's effective for them, before verbal skills are developed. However, not all children bite. Some choose other forms of communication, such as grabbing, shoving, or punching.

Another reason toddlers bite is to express frustration, a feeling which is very common with toddlers, because both their communication skills and their motor skills are so limited.

To a young toddler it can be funny to see mommy suddenly bolt upright or for a playmate to start crying. Toddlers may also bite because they're teething or because they put everything in their mouths anyway, so why not someone's arm? It could even be something as simple as hunger.

But how do you teach your child not to bite? Make it perfectly clear that the biting is hurtful and wrong and point out to your child how much pain their biting has caused. Express that biting is wrong and unacceptable and that neither mommy or daddy like it.

If you discover that your child is biting out of frustration, try giving them an alternative to express to people they are having a difficult time. Though language is a difficult task at this age, most toddlers can be taught words that are appropriate for such a situation. For instance, "You need to tell mommy or daddy that you need help and not bite us," or "Show mommy what you need, but don't bite. You'll hurt her if you bite and I know you don't want to hurt mommy, do you?"

Experts agree that parents should try not to give biting so much attention that it becomes an attention-getter. This is true of all behavior that you don't want to see repeated. Firmly tell the child again that there is no biting allowed, that it is wrong, and that it hurts people.

From Love Moving Parenting Punishment Reason Reward Unconditional


Try to refrain from saying mean, sarcastic or belittling things to your child.

Attachment Parenting
Anything more is unrealistic. If you don't, you could unwillingly and unthinkingly harm your child. When a child or adolescent lies, parents should take some time to have a serious talk and discuss the difference between make believe and reality, and lying and telling the truth. You've probably unconsciously redeveloped your parenting skills around the individual needs of your child. Play fulfills many needs including a sense of accomplishment, successfully giving and receiving attention, and the need for self-esteem.

They may not perform up to snuff when they first start performing the chore, but show them where improvement is needed and praise them for a strong effort.
Keep an open mind as a parent, and be willing to learn with and from your child. It's also imperative that your spouse and any other adult caregivers are all on the same page and following through on punishments with the same level of consistency and clarity. Don't be a bad example and teach him bad behavior early on. Schools teach children about respect, but parents have the most influence on how respectful children become.