My son is a little over ten months and I'm wondering what to do about his biting. Usually, he bites me, and it almost seems that it's when he's excited or tired. He just started crawling/climbing a few weeks ago, and at times it seems he climbs up my leg/arm and bites as he goes up. He doesn't bite when nursing, only when climbing up Mom, or if I'm carrying him to take to a nap. Maybe I can't get him to stop right now, that he's too young, but what can I start to do so that he'll learn in the future? thanks-
i say bite back even harder and he will stop my mom said that i would bite everyone and thats how she got me to stop.
sorry about the last message i responded to the wrong page!
He's teething (and it can take up to 4-5 months for those dam teeth to come in), and he will continue to bite/mouth until those teeth come in.
I give my son the mesh bag (find them in the baby sectionin any store, even the grocery store) with Ice Cubes 4-10 times a day. When he starts his climb (up the legs, onto the tummy, chest, and the shoulder where he likes to nestle and bite/gum. I hug him, then give him a frozen pacifier, or the mesh bag, and say GOODNIGHT MY LOVE, SWEET DREAMS...
As the others said, it's never too early to start disciplining and teaching right from wrong. Although I personally don't use physical discipline with my daughter at this point, there's nothing wrong with firmly telling him "No biting" and covering his mouth. That way, instead of just hearing you say "No," he has some connection between his action and what you're telling him not to do.
I would suggest saying "NO biting Mommy!" sternly and covering his mouth each time he bites. If you allow it to keep doing it he is going to think it is ok action and may start biting other people.
o ki know this might sound crazy but i swear it works. when he bites you very lightly bite him back. you do it so they realize "hey thats not nice" i promise he will stop! good luck!
L., I know exactly how you feel! My own 10 1/2 month old boy is biting like crazy--me, his toys, and unfortunately, other people, sometimes. I try to keep a close eye on him when we're around other people. He usually does it when he's mobile (crawling around, trying to climb on people, etc.). I know that at this point, he's just testing the waters and figuring out what he can and cannot bite (and what tastes good and what doesn't!). I spent a couple of weeks with bruises on my upper arm and shoulder because he thought that was a good place to try. Now, we're watching our toes when he's on the floor and crawling around. Also, he bites sometimes when he's nursing. I don't like the idea of biting him back or slapping his little cheeks when he bites down (though sometimes, a light tapping on the cheek when he's biting hard distracts him enough to stop). Usually, my yelps in pain distract him enough, but I always try to follow up with a firm "No!" or "No biting!" or "Biting hurts Mommy" or something similar, so he can start recognizing that it's not okay to hurt other people. I also make sure I have a toy or his pacifier nearby, so that I can pop it in his mouth and say "It's okay to bite your paci/toy." This helps distract him, and gives him something to chew on in the process. I think the best thing to do during this phase is to keep him distracted and keep a good eye on him. When he starts to go for the legs/arms/shoulders/any other body part, just pull him away, remind him that biting hurts, and if possible, give him something that is okay for him to chew on. Hope that helps!
I agree with the other mom. It is never too early to start to discipline. A simple firm NO and then maybe put him down on the floor for a minute. That is what I did when my son was nine months old and biting during nursing. It worked for us! Good luck!
