Baby got bit at day care

[Anonymous]

DD is 5 months and in a center-based day care and got bit on the face today. No broken skin, just a bruise, but its so sad. Her teacher said she was so upset. I know these things happen and whoever did it is just a baby (oldest in her class is 14 months) but now I worry about her.

[Anonymous]

It happens, sorry.

[Anonymous]

I know it's upsetting, but like you said, these things happen, and you can't blame the other baby. She will be fine, and you won't remember it either.

My 3-yo DD got bitten at preschool a few years ago, and it did break the skin - I was SO angry and upset. Then they told me who bit her - my 2-yo DS.

[Anonymous]

I'd still put a call in to your MD's office, to see if they have anything to say. I'd also not feel good about going back there.

[Anonymous]

I only wonder where the "teacher" was while a 14mo is that close to a 5mo old. I would question the professionals in that center.

[Anonymous]

OP here

While I am definitely upset, these things do happen and I wouldnt expect a teacher to keep the children separate just bc they are different ages. I would now expect the child to be watched more closely, but they are all just babies, even with a 9 month age difference (and I dont even know how old the child who bit DD was - they could have been 8 months).

It is an amazing center and I dont question them at all. I just feel bad and was looking for some commiseration.

[Anonymous]

PP here. OP, if you don't care good for you. Such things do happen but the "teacher"'s job is to keep those children safe.
she didn't do her job. I would question! If you wouldn't good for you.
I never said to keep the children away from each other. I'm saying they have to be watched closely. No infant should be further than arms reach from a caregiver when there are mobile children around. If you don't care, again, good for you.

[Anonymous]

setlle down pp- op, she is just trying to stir things up. These things happen - if not at daycare then the park or playgroup, etc. On day your dd will be on the other end of the biting as well. Sorry she was bit but it is okay.

[Anonymous]

Here's some sympathy and some genuine "good for you" action, too. These things do happen, and there is a difference between someone keeping a child safe (a good and reasonable goal) and keeping a child from ever having anything bad happen (impossible).

But it is kind of heartbreaking. I recommend extra snuggling tonight. Then again, I always recommend snuggling.

[Anonymous]

PP here. OP, if you don't care good for you. Such things do happen but the "teacher"'s job is to keep those children safe.
she didn't do her job. I would question! If you wouldn't good for you.
I never said to keep the children away from each other. I'm saying they have to be watched closely. No infant should be further than arms reach from a caregiver when there are mobile children around. If you don't care, again, good for you.

Give me a break.

Please ignore this fool, OP.

[Anonymous]

PP get over yourself. These things happen no matter how diligent a caregiver is, no matter how closely children are watched. Accidents happen, that's why they don't call then "purposes".

God bless you if nothing ever happens with your child while in your care, but I'd venture to say that almost everyone here has a story to tell.

I am a daycare provider. My DD is 3 1/2. My daycare child is 2. Twice when I've gone to use the restroom (you don't begrudge me going pee outside of the presence of a young boy do you?) the daycare boy has bitten my daughter. Am I glad it happened, no. Do I care? Yes. Have I had him shadow me since, sure. But I don't blame his parents and I certainly have to use the restroom at some point.

[Anonymous]

I know it makes you sad - my oldest child has been on the receiving end of two bites, the giving end of one. He (at about 16 mo.) administered a bite to a day care classmate; a day care classmate (same age) returned the favor and bit him; and now, his younger brother (18 mos.) recently "expressed" his anger by delivering a bruiser of a clamp-down bite to big brother. All of these children appear to have been one time offenders. No recidivism.

[Anonymous]

OP here - They wont tell me who is the biter (and I understand why) but do they usually tell the biter's parent the identity of the bitee?

I'll ask when I pick her up but I am just curious.

[Anonymous]

So much sympathy to you and baby. UGH, I've been on receiving end (not biting, but very bad hair pulling) and it's painful for everyone. I don't know answer to your question but it's worth expressing your concern to the daycare - the daycare is probably expecting it and hopefully they'll just listen. I cried after my child was hurt. I didn't blame the other parents - and the parents did apologize profusely which made it easier.

I agree - snuggle your baby and make sure you get a hug too. I assume your daycare teacher will also be upset that she didn't stop it...everyone will need hugs.

[Anonymous]

I am so sorry to hear about your baby. My son has been on the receiving end of many bites, especially in the toddler classroom. Our daycare has the policy not to name names on either side, but the biter's mom apologized to me (I was upset at pick-up, looking at the bite mark). If you're happy with the care overall, then great. Hopefully, they are being more careful. In our daycare, the babies move up to the next classroom once they become mobile. And then move up again around age 1.