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 happens in many stages. The first stage is when the teeth are erupting from the gums. This is when your toddler will bite to make their gums feel better. This should be done on a rattle or a teething ring. If your baby tries to bite you while breast feeding quickly remove the infant and set them down in a safe place. 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 typical cycles can help. At this time when your toddler tries to bit you should respond firmly every time and it should stop almost immediately.
At the age of two year your toddler will probably start to bite again. This is a time that your toddler wants to be independent and this is why they have started to bite again. 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. Teach your toddler commutation skills that they may be lacking. Occassionally stable routines will be helpful. After your toddler has the skills that are needed to commutate the biting should stop.
If your toddler is going through a biting stage make certain that you closely watch them. 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 routines, 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.
