Biting in Infancy (Adapted from Healthy Steps)

Biting certainly does get your attention! That is an important point to consider when asking yourself why your baby is biting. Babies experiment with biting just as with putting things in their mouth. You may be happily hugging him one minute and he chomps on you the next! Having a clear strong response will teach him or her that this hurts. Show clearly that this is not okay. If not your baby is more likely to continue biting out of confusion. Older children bite when they are frustrated that they can't let you know what they want or need; sometimes they bite when they can't get what they want. Toddlers also bite out of curiosity or when teething pain sets in. Other reasons are being unsure in a new situation, feeling hungry, bored or mad. These things are not reasons for babies under 12 months biting. When you see your baby biting:

• Stay calm
• Give your child a clear and strong message of disapproval: "Ouch! Biting hurts. You hurt Tommy when you bite him." Give a consistent response each time. Then put him down away from you on the floor or in a playpen for about 15 seconds.
• Keep the message clear and simple.
• If your child is biting because he is hungry, give him food to bite on.
• If your child is teething, give her something she can teethe on like a teething ring or a frozen bagel.
• " Do not bite your child to teach him what it feels like. Biting back gives the message that it's okay to bite if you are the big person in the situation. Praise him for cooperating.

If biting persists after 4 weeks of working on it:

• Consider if your child is being bitten by another child. Consider if your child is being hurt by another caregiver. Painful experiences can make a child bite.
• Consider whether there is too much yelling or tension in your home. Children can respond to this by biting.

Adapted from Healthy Steps. Edited and Compiled by the Center for Promotion of Child Development Through Primary Care 2011