Biting - 2 years old

[Hudskov]

My son has just turned 2 years old. He has been biting on and off for a few months now, though it has not been regular enough to be seen as a major issue. It usually happened when his teeth were bad. He knows he is doing wrong but it seems to be a reaction that he cannot stop. If another child takes a toy of his his first instinct is to bite. As i said it has not been too bad, maybe once/twice a month up till last week.

He has recently been moved into a new class at nursery and i think this may have had an effect as he has bitten 6 children in the past week. I am concerned that if this continues they may ask him to leave as it is a very good nurdery and they have a long waiting list. Can they throw him out at any point they wish to?

We have tried all the tricks we know to stop it happening. Biting him back, naughty step, put him in his cot, saying it makes us sad etc. None seem to work and i am concerned this may become a serious problem if not dealt with immediately.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

[daffy654]

Biting him back is the worst thing you could do as this just shows him that it is ok to do it. He also won't understand why you are hurting him.
I think you need to go and see your Health Visitor and ask her advice, as if he continues to bite other children at nursery they are well within their rights to ask you not to bring him again until the problem has been solved.

[Hudskov]

Thanks Daffy, i'm not with his mother. She decided to bite him and i agree this is not the action to take. Unfortunately its been done now, its what we do going forward that is important. I'm just finding it hard as he stays at my house a couple of nights a week so this makes it hard for us to be consistent. To be honest i never get bitten but he bites his mother regularly too so its not just nursery.

[daffy654]

It is very difficult when parents split up and the punishment given to the child is not consistent. Unfortunately this issue can only be resolved if both parents agree to try and stop the problem in the same way. Do you get on well enough with his mother to see the health visitor together? If not then you may have to make an appointment and take him yourself. Both parents have equal rights to advice in this way. Children are such complex little beings(especially toddlers) so I think a professional would be the best person to advise.

[Hudskov]

We get on pretty well so can go together. The problem i have is that he never bites me so i dont get to try and solve the problem as it happens. I'm not sure that he is taking notice of what she does so how can i help stop it??? Very frustrating! Will try and book to see them.

[tigwig]

Can you arrange a meeting with the staff at his nursery? I work in a nursery and this is what we would be doing now if it was ongoing for so long. The staff there should be professionals and will have procedures which they should follow in addition to a behaviour management policy. You need to find out exactly what happens when he is biting and what the staff do. There is lots and lots of reasons why children bite I would ask the nursery for more info and google it for further advice

[beanebabe]

My daughter was a bad biter! She drew blood on a couple of children and even had her favourites who she would bite on sight. I am convinced it was her teeth hurting that was the problem. She could go for quite a while without doing it and then we would get a spate of attacks! She stopped when all of her teeth were through (sorry I can't remember when exactly). She always chewed stuff - books, finger nails, clothes. She's 7 now, just got to stop the clothes! Have you tried mustard or chilli powder!!!!

[HANDBY]

Hi, my 2 year old bit me today. Was playing happily then sunk teeth in, brought blood & made my eyes water.He too has been doing this on & off for a few months. I tell him its naughty & show him what he done, Says sorry & kisses it better. As yet he not bit any other children, goes to playgroup 4 times a week. Think kids do grow out of this, but its not nice while they doing it. Think I will have a word with my health visitor too. Regards, Jane