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View Full Version : 12 month old biter!



lovin3
06-05-2008, 10:06 PM
Just looking for a little input/advice from experienced parents of biters. My youngest is almost 13 months and he is a biter. He has bit me several times on the shoulder when being held or on the top of my leg if he's standing in front of me (and, unfortunately he bit a couple of times when he was teething while I was nursing... ouch!). Every time I've been bit I turn his face toward mine, firmly tell him no, no biting, and put him down. He always gets upset when I "discipline" him. After a minute or so, I'll pick him back up, tell him no biting again, hug him, and then we go on with our day. It always seemed random, it didn't occur too often, and I associated most of it to teething. Until today...

Recently, he's been getting more vocal, shall we say, if he doesn't get his way or if someone does something that he doesn't like. Normal, I know. Today, however, he bit my oldest son (almost 3) while they were playing together. My oldest tried getting a ball from him and the biter leaned over and bit his finger. I did the same thing in dealing with the situation as I had when he bit me, but focused my attention specifically on the "victim". They even hugged when it was over (since he obviously can't say sorry). I've worked in daycares before and had to deal with biters. I really don't want my child to turn into "one of those kids". I think my husband and I have a decently strong discipline system in place with our oldest. Not that things are perfect, but he definately knows not to hit, bite, etc. my husband or I. Especially this young, we want our discipline to consist of teaching the correct behavior, but it is hard to teach "not biting".

I was just wondering if anyone else has dealt with this so young (I haven't necessarily seen aggressive biting before 18-24 months). Could it just be because he's teething, or is he an agressive biter. Is there anything that you did to help deter your young one from biting? I definately want to nip this one now!I'd love any input seeing as I don't want reports of him biting... Thanks in advance.

Shellberry
06-09-2008, 08:22 PM
hi-Im sorry that you are going through this-I did just post this though in another thread in here about slapping.
(going to copy and past, sorry, I didnt get much sleep the last few days, lol)
it could be a similar thing
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"lol (Im sorry I have to laugh here-similar situation) my daughter has taken to pinching me (and she just got done doing it, lol). She started a few months ago (she is 16 months now but will be 17 months on the 18th)
but I figured out she does it when she is tired and ready for a nap or if she is hungry/thirsty for a snack.
if you have a normally good baby & they start doing things like this its because they are trying to communicate something to you. (or so I've read in the magazines)
hopefully it will stop once they can start really talking and letting you know what they want.
I wouldnt spank or ignore him-I really think he's doing it because he needs/wants something and cant tell you with words what it is yet.
when he does it again try giving him a snack or a drink or lay him down for a nap and see if he stops.
with my daughter I tell her 'oww that hurts' or 'you hurt momma' and she "makes it better" by rubbing the spot that she just pinched, lol
then I give her her cup or tell her to grab her binky its time for a nap--and if she wants a nap, she gets the binky and heads to her room & she is fine, I grab a cup of milk and she'll go right to bed (usually its the nap that she wants when she is pinching)
She is an extremely well natured baby so I know this is just her way of getting something across to me.

good luck.
it was a bit shocking for me in the beginning when she started (she has nails and it hurt!)-I was thinking oh no, here come the terrible 2's- it took me about 20 minutes to figure out why on earth she was doing it. it is funny though-she only pinches me--not her daddy"

lovin3
06-09-2008, 09:58 PM
Thanks for the thoughts. I've been running through my head if he should have needed anything. Other than the teething, I don't think anything else was going on. Fortunately, he hasn't bit since then, but then again, it hasn't ever been a "regular" occurance- I just want to keep it from becoming one! I'll definitely watch a little close if he does it again.

Shellberry
06-09-2008, 11:22 PM
hi & np--it isnt a 'regular' thing with my daughter either
but when she does it I know it is one of 3 things, lol
gl-I hope he doesnt do it again