My friend has a 1 1/2 year old who has started biting. He is enrolled in a Mother's Day Out program and this, for obvious reasons, is a problem. My girlfriend is at her wit's end with trying to figure out how to stop her son from taking out his frustrations so physically. She has an appointment with his pediatrician today and she may get some advice there. However, I told her I'd ask the Mamasource mommies and see what ideas y'all have. I know this is a common issue and want to reassure her with what other moms have done.
Thanks!
This probably isn't much help, but in the new Parents mag there is an artiicle on how to handle biting, just read it last night and would recommend her getting the mag. It is the issue with two kids in halloween costumes on the cover.
Good Luck!
My best advice would be to use redirection and time out. Tell the child that it isnt nice to bite and that it hurts and makes his friends cry. Also if he does bite, make him apologize and hold an ice pack on the child he bit. Using hot sauce, or baking soda is not the answer! Children at that age do not talk well and cant express their feelings like older children can, so they resort to biting to get their way or express their feelings of being upset with something.
I have a friend with the same issue and would like to see the advise you get.
Good Luck!
E.
I have a good friend who has used a little baking soda on the tounge when her little boy has bitten before. It is really gross she says, but it has cured him of doing it, and seems a little less "violent" than biting them back. That seems like it would send the message that whoever is bigger wins, but that is just me. I will say that when my 2nd bit once, I flicked her on the cheek right next to her mouth once, and it did surprise her a bit. She never bit again, but I think it is more her personality than my actions. I can say now, that I would do the baking soda or even soap etc. before anything else physical, but we all make mistakes and learn from them. Hope something helps soon!!
Jennifer-
I have used a small bit of hot sauce on the tounge when my kids bite. Works well for me! :-)
I just had this issue recently with my 17 month old (I just relocated to Myrtle Beach and sent out the mamasource request there) and 9 out of 10 moms told me to bite him back. I completely disagree with this method (as I did try it more as a knee jerk reaction when he bit me and drew blood), it didn't even phase him. Anyhow, my son would bite his right hand or anything closest to him when he was frustrated. He's never bit anyone but me (but I also stay home with him) but he drew blood once and I had a bruise another time. Basically, I just started telling him no biting and when he would get frustrated I would move his hands away from his mouth so that he couldn't bite. I've also put him in time out for biting and when I do that I sit him in the corner and I hold his hands down away from his face (gently). The biting has not ceased completely but he no longer has marks on his hand from biting himself and has only bitten me once or twice in the two weeks that we've been working on this. I wish your friend luck!
*Edit* I'm also thinking of designating something for him to bite on if his biting doesn't completely cease. Maybe an old teething toy or something...just a thought! :)
There is a waxy berry that if you bite it, it numbs your mouth. It is not disgusting tasting, just an unpleasant, waxy, thing. I'm not sure what it is, perhaps someone else knows(I so wish I knew). Anyways, I had a problem with biting (spitting more specifically!) as a kid and so my neighbor gave this to me and told me to bite it! I did... and then I never bit anyone else again! This may be apalling to some, but it's just like biting a bar of soap for a potty mouth, old school style. (or even like bitter apple spray to stop dogs from licking/chewing) :)
