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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

Biting

3 replies

chocbiscuits · 28/08/2007 21:42

Don't know why but my 2 yo Ds has suddenly started biting me. Sometimes he seems to do it for attention but other times he seems to do it when he's happy (runs towards me saying mummy mummy cuddle, then I get a cuddle with a massive bite). I can't think it can be teething as he mainly bites with his front teeth and has had them for ages and ages. It's not really serious, just kind of annoying, sometimes am going around with bruises. Dh smacked him for biting, however, now he bites and then hits!!
Great!!!
Any ideas?

OP posts:

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mamama · 29/08/2007 00:58

NO suggestions but it is a phase that lots of 2 yr olds go through. I think you just have to be very firm.

Lovecat · 29/08/2007 09:13

Dd went through this at about 20 months - it only lasted a month or so but was v. annoying!

One thing we did with her which worked for hitting as well (but you BOTH have to be disciplined yourself for it to work!) is, after an incident, to make sure they're looking at you, get full eye contact and say something along the lines of "Mummy doesn't hit/bite, Daddy doesn't hit/bite, dd mustn't hit/bite" in a very firm (but not shouty) voice. We only had to repeat this a few times before she got the message. She'll still try the odd smack (esp if she's been in the company of other children who are doing it - grrr...) but a look and a warning tone of voice 'dd...' is enough to make her stop these days.

Unfortunately children do learn what they live and if you smack them, they think it's acceptable behaviour.

Btw, saying 'ow!' and being upset when she bit only made her laugh, little horror...

Sidge · 29/08/2007 09:24

What worked for us was when bitten, saying "NO!" very loudly, then putting the child away from you and walking away to do something else. (Rearrange the curtains if necessary LOL) Then when the child has realised you have withdrawn, come back, crouch down to the child's level and say firmly but kindly "We don't bite." Keep it simple.

The sudden withdrawal of attention makes them pull up pretty sharply and they can then like that biting = no attention.

And I really don't believe that smacking, biting them or laughing helps either as this reinforces the behaviour.

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