Am I doing something wrong

[Khan6767]

Hi people hope your all well, just quick question my Toddler who is 19 months has started to throw tantrums whenever he doesn’t get what he wants also bites but thinks it’s funny I firmly raise my voice to say NO we don’t bite but I don’t think he understands and thinks it’s a game any tips pleaseeee my legs and arms are full of bit marks

Ahhhh okay divert the attention I got you he isn’t talking just random baby language he says mama papa baby as he has a 7 month old brother he plays nicely sometimes but end up trying to bite him Aswel but I know that’s out of jealousy, yeah that’s the thing I hate to shout at him I don’t want to scare him but I want him to understand it’s wrong but thank you for this advice really appreciate it will keep you posted ❤️

Oh, it's really tricky at this age with biting! They're so fast, but they don't understand very much and impulse control is basically non-existent.

If he thinks it's a game, you need to make it a very boring one. I'd go with 'No biting' in a firm, but matter of fact voice. Same words, same tone every time, and as little other reaction as you can possibly manage (I realise that's difficult if you've just been chomped on!). The other big piece is no attention for biting – put him on the floor and walk away, pop him in a safe place and walk away, whatever works for you. Even out and about, he can be popped in the buggy and your attention directed elsewhere. Only for a minute or so, he's only tiny, but it stops the 'reward' of (negative) attention and interesting reactions.

The flip side of that is making sure you really praise when he is playing nicely with baby brother and if he handles even the smallest disappointment/or 'no' without biting. Personally, I'd quite happily praise him for not biting even if he lay down kicking and screaming on the floor (after he calmed down and could take it in). It's a step in the right direction!