DS2 - 16 months - bit me today.. DONT want it to happen again.

[JingleyJen]

He came up behind me when I was cooking and I thought he was going to cuddle my legs he did but then bit the back of my legs.
I squeeled as I was really shocked, he cried and I decided not to comfort him after a couple of minutes crying he stood up and went into the sitting room and started playing with his cars..

How can I handle this to try to limit the times he does it.. He doesn't talk at all yet so no point in trying to get him to say sorry, couldn't think of smacking him, all the sanctions I have with DS1 aren't applicable as he is too young.

Help! Please.
I know it is only once but have heard of so many littlies becoming biters that I want to try to stop it before it starts if there is a way.

[KnickersOnMaHead]

Message withdrawn

[JingleyJen]

couldn't bring myself to do that..
but thanks

[fingerwoman]

well it sounds as though he was upset enough by your squealing that it may have shocked him enough that he doesn't do it again.
I think a lot of compulsive biters do it because they like the reaction (ie, attention from mum, getting toys from other kids)
this was really a "I wonder what happens if I bite this" kind of a thing.
fingers crossed he won't carry on doing it

[JingleyJen]

should I have comforted him when he was shocked at my squeeling?

[fingerwoman]

no, I think you've probably done the right thing by ignoring it. he's been shocked that you were upset which will put him off, and he hasn't learned to associate it with lots of attention.

[JingleyJen]

it is soo hard I have fallen in love with him in a way that I didn't with DS1 I don't seem to be able to think rationally when he cries I just go to Jelly!
Thanks, feel comforted now.

ANyway off to bed. thanks

[KnickersOnMaHead]

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[deaconblue]

ds was a biter for a few weeks at that age, horrible and almost always directed at me. I dealt with it by saying "no biting mummy" loudly enough to make him jump and then putting him down on his bottom. He would then cry a bit and I'd repeat no biting. After only a few times he stopped and only very rarely does it now.