Reasons Why Your Toddler Bites

Every toddler has bit or has been bitten but if you have a child that has bit it dosn’t mean that they are a biter. There have been studies that were done that show about half of children attending daycares have been bitten three times per year. So biters are common.

Biting can come in different stages. The first stage is when the teeth are erupting from the gums. Your child will want to bite to sooth the discomfort of the swollen gums. This should be done on a rattle or a teething ring. If while breastfeeding your baby tries to bite, remove your baby and set them down in a safe spot. At this time when your baby gets a negative response they will stop biting soon.

About the time that your toddler has their first birthday is when they have their second stage of biting. They may bite to show their excitement. Sometimes regular routines can help. At this time when your toddler tries to bit you should respond firmly every time and it should stop almost immediately.

Again your toddler may start to bite around the age of two. Your toddler bites at this time to show that they want to be independent. When your toddler bites to prove that they are in control then you need to give the child a time out and explain that it hurts. It is time to teach your child the commutation skills that they are probley lacking. Occassionally typical routines will be helpful. After your toddler has the skills that are needed to commutate the biting should stop.

Be sure to watch your toddler closely if they are going through a biting phase. The best thing to do at this stage is to acknowledge the good behaviour. It wouldn’t hurt to offer your toddler something to chew on at this stage either. Just like typical routines, usually. If you have caught your toddler biting the respond with a firm voice and place your toddler on a time out.

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