Help! I've got a habitual biter.

[countrygirl705]

Hi, I've a DCB now for several months. He started biting almost a month or so ago. At first it was only a few times, but now it is almost every day, multiple times a day. It is my son he keeps biting and it is always over toys. The DCB will be 3 in November and he is speech delayed. I know it is just a phase (my son and another son were both biters) so I don't want to term. I just am not sure how to handle it anymore. It happens mostly when I am doing meal prep or changing a diaper. When I separate him, he laughs at me. I think he thinks it is a game. DCM is so upset by it and he doesn't bite at home. She even said it is ok to spank, which I immediately said I would NEVER do. I separate him from the group and he becomes my buddy, but it doesn't seem to stop him. I know it's a reaction and it's because he can't use words, but it's difficult to watch your child get bit almost every day. He doesn't do it to the other kids thankfully. Any suggestions? TIA. Shelagh

[childcaremom]

Hi, I've a DCB now for several months. He started biting almost a month or so ago. At first it was only a few times, but now it is almost every day, multiple times a day. It is my son he keeps biting and it is always over toys. The DCB will be 3 in November and he is speech delayed. I know it is just a phase (my son and another son were both biters) so I don't want to term. I just am not sure how to handle it anymore. It happens mostly when I am doing meal prep or changing a diaper. When I separate him, he laughs at me. I think he thinks it is a game. DCM is so upset by it and he doesn't bite at home. She even said it is ok to spank, which I immediately said I would NEVER do. I separate him from the group and he becomes my buddy, but it doesn't seem to stop him. I know it's a reaction and it's because he can't use words, but it's difficult to watch your child get bit almost every day. He doesn't do it to the other kids thankfully. Any suggestions? TIA. Shelagh

If those are the times he is doing it, it seems to be bc you are not there to stop it.

I would have him beside me all the time. If I am prepping meals, he is either right with me or else at the table with activities. If I am changing a diaper, he would be right beside me.

I've done this in the past with a biter and had good success with stopping it.

Good luck!

[Play Care]

If those are the times he is doing it, it seems to be bc you are not there to stop it.

I would have him beside me all the time. If I am prepping meals, he is either right with me or else at the table with activities. If I am changing a diaper, he would be right beside me.

I've done this in the past with a biter and had good success with stopping it.

Good luck!

This. When you can't supervise him, he would be buckled in a booster seat at the table with an activity. Those times should be few and far in-between enough that he wouldn't be sitting all day.

[Blackcat31]

Hi, I've a DCB now for several months. He started biting almost a month or so ago. At first it was only a few times, but now it is almost every day, multiple times a day. It is my son he keeps biting and it is always over toys. The DCB will be 3 in November and he is speech delayed. I know it is just a phase (my son and another son were both biters) so I don't want to term. I just am not sure how to handle it anymore. It happens mostly when I am doing meal prep or changing a diaper. When I separate him, he laughs at me. I think he thinks it is a game. DCM is so upset by it and he doesn't bite at home. She even said it is ok to spank, which I immediately said I would NEVER do. I separate him from the group and he becomes my buddy, but it doesn't seem to stop him. I know it's a reaction and it's because he can't use words, but it's difficult to watch your child get bit almost every day. He doesn't do it to the other kids thankfully. Any suggestions? TIA. Shelagh

I agree with the other posters that he needs to be separated when you aren't available to be right there.

You also said he is your buddy when he bites so make sure you aren't making "being your buddy" a fun thing. He needs to KNOW it's a consequence for negative behavior, not feel like he is being rewarded for doing it.

I also think at almost 3 he IS old enough to NOT bite, even if he is lacking the ability to use words. HE can use simple sign language to communicate his needs.

I also think you should have some sort of loss of privilege any time he does bite. He SHOULD feel bad. It's not oaky to bite and part of that is feeling empathy for the friends you "hurt"