It's common to worry when your child bites someone, but biting is a normal part of growing up for many children. Children, especially infants and toddlers, may bite to explore the world, to express frustration or anger or to deal with stress, explains Children's Hospital Boston. Of course, the fact that biting is normal for young children doesn't make it OK, and if you're parenting a child who bites, your first concern is how to stop your child from biting others.
Step 1
Use calm, firm language to let your child know that biting another person is never OK. Say something like, "Biting hurts people, and I know you don't want to hurt anyone," recommends Patricia Henderson Shimm, parent educator and author of the book "Parenting Your Toddler, An Expert's Guide to the Tough and Tender Years," on BabyCenter.com.
Step 2
Address your child's feelings in a way that helps them feel understood. Say something like, "It's normal to be upset when someone takes your toy" or "I would be upset if someone wrote on my drawing." Reiterate that biting is not a good way to respond to upsetting situations.
Step 3
Work with your child to come up with a better way to respond to upsetting situations, such as using her words or moving away from the person for a little alone time.
Step 4
Talk to your child's teacher or caregiver to let her know that you've talked about biting and explain the alternative response you and your child have worked out. Ask your child's caregiver to let you know about any biting-related successes or issues.
Step 5
Remind your child about the importance of not biting any time she'll be around other children. Ask her to tell you what she can do instead of biting, and remind her of the better response you decided on.
Tips and Warnings
- It's easy to get upset when your child bites someone, but freaking out can actually encourage your child to keep biting because she knows she'll get your full attention if she does, warns Shimm. Take a minute and a deep breath, and approach the subject calmly.
- If your child continues to have serious biting issues past the age of 3, talk with your pediatrician. Your child may need counseling or other professional help to stop biting.
