Taking the Bite Out of Your Toddler’s Biting Problem

If your toddler is engaging in the bad habit of biting, take heart; it is common for children between the ages of one and three to be biters. The number one reason for this stems from the fact that this is a way in which they attempt to communicate. In addition to the choice of biting, they also grab, hit and shove as ways of letting their needs be known.

Obviously, another reason they choose to bite is a means of expressing frustration, mainly because their communication and motor skills are limited. Have you ever been bitten by junior? It may seem funny to them but not so humorous to you, right? Well, their reason for doing this can be anything from the fact that they are teething to them pretty much putting everything into their mouths, including your skin! It could also simply mean that they are hungry.

Regardless of the reasons, you will want to teach them not to bite and you will want them to know under no circumstances is it okay to bite anyone or anything that is not designated as food to eat. They need to know just how painful it is to others and how wrong it is to bite. So, how do you go about training them not to bite?

The real answer lies in you being able to discern why they are biting in the first place and address the problem from that standpoint. The best way to tell your toddler that biting is wrong is verbally. It may be difficult at first since they are not quite old enough to understand what you are saying, but if you keep your words simple and constantly repeat them with facial expressions showing disapproval, they will soon learn what you mean.

If they are biting out of frustration, try and find out what it is that is frustrating them and adjust accordingly. Maybe a favorite toy is out of reach; place it lower within their reach so they won’t become frustrated and want to bite. Again, it could just be that they are teething and you can offer them an alternative item to bite on instead of your hand or arm. Either way, as you attempt to help your toddler stop his or her biting habit, don’t make too much of it; they will soon outgrow this habit once they have become a bit older.