Anonymous wrote:Try using positive wording. We only bite food or gum. By saying not something, often a child only hears that something.

This is correct.

Try using positive wording. We only bite food or gum. By saying not something, often a child only hears that something.

"We do not put our teeth on people"
This is the line I used as a preschool teacher.

Anonymous wrote:Teeth are for biting.

Food and gum, not other kids or adults!

Teeth are for biting.

Anonymous wrote:"Ouch! Biting hurts!!!" Totally overact in pain and turn away from the child. Tend to your "wound". See how he reacts. If he cries, let him cry for a moment. Do not rush to comfort him - let him have his feelings of remorse. Then get down on his level and tell him he made a bad choice and he hurt you. Then you can hug him. If he has no reaction, yell loud in pain the next time and do the above.

There is a book called "Teeth Are Not For Biting" that is a good one to read to him.

This. Biting is a big deal and a huge worry so it is something you want to be dramatic and memorable about.

I saw a 18 month old lean over and bite another little girl on the face and not let go. The bitten child was bleeding profusely and screaming - it was awful.

Biting is not something you can allow. And if you are the nanny of a biter - stay on him/her like white on rice when he/she is with other little kids.

Toddlers are just starting to develop empathy. The first steps of showing empathy are emotion mirroring, then empathy for others in simple situations familiar to them.

As far as dealing with bites, it really depends on the situation. If they do it when overly excited (happy or angry), it will be a difficult habit to break. If it’s in retaliation, age-appropriate punishment is best. Telling them “no,” then stopping whatever activity they’re doing when it happens would be a good starting place for a 2 year old.

Anonymous wrote:How to deal with it?

It's depends, but it looks like you have other stuff going on.

Once he bites another kid and kid bites back, he'll understand that biting hurts

"Ouch! Biting hurts!!!" Totally overact in pain and turn away from the child. Tend to your "wound". See how he reacts. If he cries, let him cry for a moment. Do not rush to comfort him - let him have his feelings of remorse. Then get down on his level and tell him he made a bad choice and he hurt you. Then you can hug him. If he has no reaction, yell loud in pain the next time and do the above.

There is a book called "Teeth Are Not For Biting" that is a good one to read to him.

Oh, and what was your response when the child did it? Did anyone else react?

How old? One time, to one person or indiscriminately? What happened immediately before the bite?

How to deal with it?