Hi all. My 19mo old DS has had a habit of biting for a couple of months now that seems to be getting worse. He is currently teething all 4 first molars which may be a factor but we have a long way to go until they are completely through and I am looking for some strategies to deal with this.
He has only ever bitten me and his sister. usually in frustration, if he's having a tantrum, if I try to pick him up when he doesn't want to be, if I'm trying to put him in the buggy when he doesn't want to go in, if his sister has a toy he wants etc etc. This past week though he seems to have started biting just for the hell of it. I was inspired to post tonight because while I was preparing dinner he walked up behind me in the kitchen and bit me on the back of my thigh for no reason and it has left a mark even through jeans! It's really painful when he does it and I'm now quite worried about taking him to groups where he might do it to another child with absolutely no warning.
We've tried moving him to 'time out', we've tried giving his sister loads of over the top attention and sympathy immediately after he does it, I've tried reacting really strongly with a squeal so he knows it hurts. I now tell him clearly that it hurts because he understands that word now. He never seems particularly bothered. Sometimes he cries. Sometimes he just grins at us!
He's a lovely boy in other ways but very strong willed and we don't want this to become a bigger problem. Anyone been through this who can help?! TIA!