Biting at 15 months - and not just in anger. Help!

[killerkitty]

My 15-month DS started biting other children at nursery a month ago. At first it was just when she got angry over another baby taking away her book/toy, but now she's been caught grabbing another child's hand and biting him hard - just for the sheer joy of it!

Sometimes she bites me or her daddy on the shoulder when we pick her up and we tell firmly tell her no, but other than that, I don't know how to teach her not to bite.

Other than biting, she's a well-behaved, sweet-natured child who loves playing with other kids (well, I would say that, wouldn't I?!).

I realise this may be just a phase, and I'm sure that tosser Oliver James would just say it's all my fault for being a working mum, but any suggestions as to how to deal with it would be very welcome.

Nothing to do with being a working mum.

She'll grow out of it. Lots of children do it and they soon stop if it is dealt with appropriately. If you and nursery tell her "no" straight away and divert attention to the victim she will eventually get the message and stop. It feels like an eternity when it's your child but it is very common in nurseries and the staff should be more than capable of dealing with it.

To be honest when she's at nursery it is their problem and you should not be made to feel bad about it.

It is an emotive subject but I am a childminder and both me children who had the social environment and their mother full-time went through this period so ignore anyone who puts it down to being at nursery. The only negative effect that nursery could have would be if they handle it badly and she is rewarded with enough negative attention to prolong the behaviour.

Thank you for your advice. To add more information here, my DS is also looked after from time to time by a childminder.

My DS does two days a week at nursery and they initially raised the subject of her biting, but seem completely able to cope with it. However, my childminder is a bit worried that my DS is biting her own child, and therefore ?traumatising? him.

I can understand her worry - what mother wouldn't. But I feel very guilty and want to try and help.