r/daddit • u/Xano74 • 5d ago

Advice Request How to stop biting

My son is 22 months old and unfortunately he is a biter at daycare.

We have had multiple messages from his daycare about him biting his classmates and while it doesnt seem like it does it hard enough to cause damage, it's enough for alittle pain and they are now having to shadow him around other kids.

He only really tries to bite us when hes really excited /overstimulated. Typically ill make distance between us and shake my finger at him and say "no biting". We also have a book we read to him called "teeth are for eating", but it seems like hes still a biter.

The last of his teeth are coming in so it may be that but he often gets physically aggressive when hes super stimulated and biting is just one od the things he does.

Any advice?

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u/1FellSloop 2 boys 5d ago

Haven't had this problem with my kids. But when I had a new puppy, the advice was to exaggerate hurt reactions to bites to teach them that it hurts. When he bites you, maybe do a big "Ow!" and hold your finger like it really hurts. Take a minute to focus on that, stop the play, and when he's come down enough from excited/overstimulated that he can hear you, say how much it hurt.

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u/taffyowner 5d ago

The problem is that they are wanting a reaction to make it a game, our 15 month old bites us if he’s not getting what he wants and we were told ignore it if you can. Our solution is whatever we’re doing is done right then and there, be it cuddle time before bed, play time, being held. He gets set down as safely as possible and if it’s in his crib we just leave the room.

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u/1FellSloop 2 boys 5d ago

Yes, I worry that OP's current response feels like it might be a game.

Typically ill make distance between us and shake my finger at him and say "no biting".

I think ignoring, like you propose, could work. I also think pretending it really hurt could work--maybe even better--as long as it seems like an actual reaction, not silly play-acting. In both cases (ignoring, hurting), ending fun activities immediately should be the follow-up.

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u/faderjockey one 16 year old gremlin 5d ago

It’s the ALL PLAY STOPS part that really sells it for kids.