Why Your Toddler Bites

Just about every child has bit but whether or not they should be classified as a biter is another thing. 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 happens in many stages. The first is when the teeth start to come out of the gums. Your child will want to bite to sooth the discomfort of the swollen gums. This kind of biting will be soothed from biting 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. When an infant gets a negative response from their mother they will soon stop biting.

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 stable cycles 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. This is a time that your toddler wants to be independent and this is why they have started to bite again. If your toddler bits at this stage be certain that you give your child a time out and make sure that you explain that being bitten hurts. Teach your toddler commutation skills that they may be lacking. Occassionally normal 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. It is best to acknowledge good behaviour. It wouldn’t hurt to offer your toddler something to chew on at this stage either. Just like healthy cycles, usually. If you catch your toddler biting you need to immediately respond with a firm toned voice and put your toddler on a time out.