Bruised and twitchy from a biting DS

[LowlLowl]

DS is 10 months with 4 teeth (top & bottom incisors). Obviously he bites and chews everything - he's a baby right? But he's taken to gnawing me and DH in a frankly painful fashion (bruising/grazes through clothing!) This needs to stop! I've started flinching when he cruises near my knees...

I've got a book which recommends not reacting to the bite other than saying 'no biting' firmly and then distracting him. Been trying that for a fortnight with no discernable impact! (although to be fair I have reacted quite strongly to bites on my inner thigh and inner arm as they really hurt!!) Does anyone have any other advice? Or do we just have to ride this one out? And how long might it last?

You have my sympathies this is really so trying. Ds was a biter from around your ds age to 18m. It was particularly difficult as everyone else seemed to have such perfect gentle 1 yr olds. I will come back with more advice later. But just wanted to say they do out grow it. He is now a considerate and charming nearly 11 y old.

I think you probably need to make more of a lasting impression. Raise your voice a notch, give angry eye contact and leave the room.

My ds is doing this, he's 14 months. He's always been a bit bitey but he's started doing it when he doesn't get his own way which is a charming development!

I'm doing what you're doing - 'no biting' in a calm voice. The exceptions are if I feel he's really gone too far, in which case he does get a bit of a shout and I distance myself from him for a few mins. He does seem to pick up on this so hopefully the combo of the two will sort it. It's been a tiny bit better this week.

Thanks for the sympathy! I should probably add that I don't think he's doing it on purpose, he's just like an exuberant puppy (in many aspects, not just this one!) and there are tooth marks all over the place, not just in me and DH. I thought the stair carpet needed cleaning the other day but it turned out he'd just been chewing the step...