13 mth DS only child started hitting and biting! Suggestions please!

[airhostess]

Hi,

My Son is 13 months old and has suddenly started hitting us in the face and biting. More towards myself than his Dad I might add. How do I deal with this? I look after him full time and we attend lots of groups so he is well socialised. Out of our anti natal group he is the most boisterous too. He's an only child so I'm not sure if this is usual behaviour for his age. He's not afraid to approach an older child either and try to pin them down. I'm aware that he will meet his match soon so to speak.

Kind regards

He's also started head butting his cot!

Lurking, hoping to hear good advice ...

Lurking too also, my 12mo DC2 is a very boisterous biter. However we haven't had any problems with him outside of the home.

What do you do when he hits and bites?

I think probably normal toddler behaviour, sounds like some frustration there with the headbutting. Is he communicating much?

I would when he hurts you, get down to his level and say very clearly 'do not hurt mummy' if he continues remove him from the situation, just pick him up and put him in another room. Also talk about being kind and not hurting people.

Another thought is, is he tired? Does he sleep well?

Hi,

When he hits/bites we change our tone of voice and tell him that's it's naughty and you don't hit/bite. Usually he will just do it again whilst looking in our eyes. He's a very head strong boy!
He sleeps 12 hours at night 7-7, 0930-1000, 1230-1430 daytime so I feel he's getting enough. He's never been a particularly cuddly baby, it's a big thing in our house if he has a cuddle but it can be over before you know it.
Prior to this 'phase' he's always been a very happy confident child. He's just had chicken pox, prior to that an ear infection.

More advice needed really but thanks so far x

Oh, he's still just a baby, he's not doing it maliciously. Sounds like you are doing the right thing He's just doing it because he can't tell you if he is frustrated/angry. I doubt very much if it's an only child thing. My 12mo dd is much more pushy/screamy because she has to fight older ds for toys

Hovering to prevent & gentle admonishment, it will take a lot of your patience. It's a phase, and most of them go thru it, can take awhile to resolve. Personally I think it's valuable to go thru the motions of an apology if someone else is involved (another child). It helps them (slowly) realise they owe something.

I think I would probably start with time out/ naughty step so that he can hopefully start to see that behaviour has a consequence, also make a big fuss of him when he is being good and try and work out what his triggers are.

Good luck, toddlers are great

Does time-out work with a 13m old? Guess my tots are dim, but they wouldn't understand at all.

My 17-month-old DS started biting at about the same age. Nursery gave me an info sheet with advice on dealing with it, and you're doing pretty much everything it suggests. Saying no, removing from situation if it happens again, maybe having a minute's quiet time with you (not time out on their own though), and demonstrating how to be gentle.

It has worked - sort of. But he does still push if someone takes a toy (don't they all?) and if he's teething he will still bite sighs. Loads of them do the same though, so all you can do is persevere.