13 mo old biting me

[Anonymous]

My 13 mo old has been biting me quite a bit. I have talked with the ped and daycare teacher and they have advised me to say "biting hurts" or "teeth are for eating, not biting" and give a chew toy or some alternative. BUT... over the past two months it has gotten worse. I am paying attention more now so he hasn't bitten me hard enough to draw blood in awhile. Im mainly concerned it will get worse as he gets older or he will start biting other kids at school. There are 2 types of times he bites:

1. Upset/ wants physical freedom- So I am holding him and he wants attention or down and he bites me on the shoulder or arm. I dont want to put him down either because it isnt safe or I dont want to reward the biting, so I physically hold him away from me so he can't bite me.

2. When playing- either playing on the floor or in the bed and he bites and laughs about it. For this I often say "biting hurts", give a toy, and walk away and he gets upset because he was having fun.

Ideas on what else to try? Alot of the resources I see are geared towards older toddlers so not sure what to do at this age. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Mine bites me while teething- I'd just redirect to a teething toy and not give it a lot of attention

[Anonymous]

One day he will bite another child who will bite back as hard as he bites. This will stop him from biting

[Anonymous]

Maybe the book, "Teeth are not for Biting" would work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Mine bites me while teething- I'd just redirect to a teething toy and not give it a lot of attention

Thanks- that actually might be why it seems to have gotten worse recently, I think he has one getting through.

[Anonymous]

If you withdraw attention, which is reinforcing, every time he bites, he will learn to connect the two things. I would hand him a teething toy and walk away saying No! every time. You also have to watch closely so you can see a bite coming, and move away and redirect, and he needs to learn words to use to substitute for the biting. He can’t express his feelings yet or stop the impulse, but he will, in time. For now, move away or set him in a play pen every time he bites, so he realizes it means a momentary loss of attention from you, and go back in a minute and happily redirect him to a new activity. If you are consistent, he will catch on, quicker than trying to explain to him.

[Anonymous]

Tylenol, teething tablets and frozen tethers around his neck changed hourly except when sleeping.

[Anonymous]

I would try yelling no firmly. It may startle him. But this is a behavior like them walking towards a fire or something else that you firmly correct and start teaching them not to do. Babies start understanding the word no at this point. It doesn’t mean they’ll be perfect and listen. Saying teeth are not for biting is too much and confusing. Say “No!” And if you want to add more, “don’t bite me.”
Just be consistent and firm with your response and it will pass.

[Anonymous]

Give him a chewie.