Biting. What to do. Very stressed.

[Naboo]

My 2.5yr old has reacted a couple of times to altercations with friends by biting.

I know it's been a copied action - as they have been bitten by their friend. I know kids do it - but not my kiddy! Please. I am so very anxious to nip it in the bud asap.

How can i, constructively, stop this type of behaviour now, before it is done again? Any tips will be hugely welcome.

I'll be devastated if it happens again when i'm not there. Luckily i've always been on hand before teeth are sunk. Help!

Try not to be devastated by what is perfectly normal beahviour for a toddler.

Your dc will stop this as he grows up a bit more - he will learn just through age and experience.

In the meantime if you feel so anxious you need to say something just mention in passing to anyone who's looking after him that "he's going through his biting stage.." and everyone will understand.

If you see him go to bite another child give him the big fierce mummy face and a sharp (but not shouty) "NO!" and distract him with another toy/game.

No point in endless talking about it - if you walk into every social situation and warn him not to bite you may inadvertantly re-inforce the biting - it's like saying "don't think of an elephant" - and we're all thinking...elephant!

Thanks very much gagarin. You have made me feel a lot better. Your response is much appreciated. I know you are right. I just have to stop worrying about it. x

Naboo - my DS was a biter!! He was doing it to get peoples attention as his speech wasn't brilliant. He wasn't trying to be naughty just trying to get other kids to play with him (iycwim!) Since his speech has got better he has grown out of it (so it is JUST A PHASE, when he did it I tried to talk to him and to understand what he wanted and help as much as i could. It is frustrating though so can sympathise x