Dealing with Toddler Biting

Toddlers bite. It’s unfortunate, it hurts and to top it off it’s quite embarrassing for the parents! However, that is part of toddlerhood and parents should learn how to deal with it early on so they know how to respond to their biting toddler. Of course, it’s important to keep in mind that toddlers bite many times before they finally get the message not to, so it will be a difficult phase to get through but with diligence you can!

The Victim

When your toddler bites the first thing you should do is go straight to the victim. Do not acknowledge your little biter, but simply lavish the love and attention on the victim. Tell them you are so sorry, hug them, and focus on their booboo.

Bite Marks

Show your child the bite marks he made on the victim. Explain that it really hurts to bite and that is not allowed. Then, take your child to timeout and keep them there for one minute per year they are. Tell them that they are in timeout for biting.

Avoiding Bites

Many times, toddlers bite when they are over tired, hungry, or frustrated. If you know your child is in need of a nap, then put them down and you will likely avoid a biting incident. When your child is hungry, feed them right away. When your child is frustrated, show them how to use their words or ask nicely for a toy, cookie, or whatever they want. You must be proactive to avoid bites.

Don’t Bite Back

Many parents in the past would bite their child hoping to teach them a lesson that biting hurts. However, your child won’t get the logic in this. They will simply see that Mommy or Daddy is biting them and hurting them. And, if Mommy and Daddy bite when they are angry then that is what the toddler should do, too. This sends the wrong message, so as tempting as it is don’t do it!

These are just a few suggestions to help you deal with your biting toddler. Some toddlers bite more than others and it truly is a stage that is difficult to get through. However, soon enough your toddler will understand that biting is against the rules and will stop doing it. Or, at least stop doing it as frequently. Kids may bite at any age, but it is especially difficult during toddlerhood.

Posted in Toddler Time