How To Deal With A Biting Child

The little brats; what they lack in strength is made up with the vice like grip that they can give with their teeth. The newly formed teeth are razor sharp, which, some of them utilize to their full potential. Biting is a normal part of the growth and development of a child. A child with newly developed teeth is a notorious biter. To deal with a biting child, it is necessary to take the age of the child into consideration, because biting is an age appropriate response. Children under 2 years of age tend to bite more because of the lack of socialization and verbal skills. Toddlers may bite just to get the feel of it while preschoolers may do it because of frustration. However, run for professional help if your school-going child is a chronic biter. That is why incidences of biting in children should be dealt with proper care. Not only is the behavior unacceptable but if unchecked, there are chances of it developing into an unhealthy habit. Whatever be the case biting must be stopped and dealt with appropriately. Go through the article given below to know more on controlling biting in children.

Controlling Biting In Children

Causes Of Biting

There are four different causes of biting.

experimental biting
biting from frustration
biting because of feeling powerless
biting under stress

Experimental Biting

Infants explore the world in many ways and biting is one such way of exploration.
It is one of the ways by which infants ‘feel’ the world around them. That is why they tend to put everything in their mouth.
Infants may even bite to show their affection. Many will even bite the breast they are feeding.
Children, especially when young will even bite as a form of game.

How Parents Can Deal

Don’t make the child think that it is funny.
Convey to the child that biting hurts.
Remove whatever or whomever the child is biting.
When toddlers first develop teeth, give them things like teething rings to bite on, as their gums feel sore.

Biting From Frustration

When a child gets into situations that he or she cannot handle then they bite. This mostly happens when they are in a group.
When frustrated the main response of a child is to bite because they don’t know other ways to cope.
If their biting receives a response, then they feel that it has been successful and so they may do it again.
Sometimes they may bite to counter those who are bigger and stronger.

How Parents Can Deal

Remove the child from those situations in which he or she cannot cope. Keep the group small and the play short.
Step in when there are any signs of conflict.
If the child is more likely to bite then keep him or her under close adult supervision.
Take time to understand your child. Always remember that children have a tough time to control their feelings.

Biting Due To Powerlessness

It is mostly seen that it is the youngest child who mostly bites.
Seeing the older children get what they want the youngest may feel powerless and bite.
In a group the child can find that biting is the only way to get power.

How Parents Can Deal

Protect your child’s need so that he or she doesn’t feel the need to bite.
Make the older children understand the needs and feelings of the younger one.
If the children are very young then they should be under constant adult supervision.
If possible then make the younger children play separately than the older ones.

Biting Under Stress

Under emotional stress, the child can resort to biting.
Biting is often an expression of distress and pain. It may also be done to convey that the child is upset or angry.
Children simply tend to act without understanding their feeling.

How Parents Can Deal

Find out the reason of the stress.
If you can find out what is triggering the bite then you can act the next time because sometimes it is not always possible to remove the cause of the bite.
Show them other ways in which they can vent their feelings.

Additional Tips

Your response should be prompt, firm, and calm.
Do not disapprove with anger.
Build up the child’s self-esteem by showering positive attention every day.

How to Cite

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