It happens faster than you can react - your child sinks their teeth into an unsuspecting child. Sometimes it’s a superficial bite, sometimes it’s more serious. Either way, it can be unsettling for parents. We’ll give you insight on why this behavior occurs and how to manage that little nibbler so they are ready for preschool.

Kids, especially very young ones who don't know how to control their emotions may strike out by hitting, biting or pushing another child, or even a parent or caregiver. Fresno mom Diane Messerlian says her 2 year old son, Gregory, is a terrific little guy. There is just one major challenge; he bites. Gregory was biting as early as 10 to 11months old while she was nursing him and as he got older the biting continued. Gregory’s frustration was then directed at his older sister, Karina. “And I keep thinking oh, maybe he’ll grow out of it but I don’t think it will just go away,” said Diane.”

When kids bite other kids, it can be extremely distressing for both parents and may even cause a strain on friendships. Diane remembers a first time visit at the home of some new friends. She says Gregory bit their 6 year old daughter on the stomach and it was awful.  We asked Dr. Harry Jameson of Community Medical Providers in Fresno; why do children bite? Dr. Jameson says biting is a very powerful thing. Some children, when they feel they don’t have another alternative and they’re getting frustrated will use biting as a way to assert power where they might not otherwise have it.

It really depends on what age you’re talking about says Dr. Jameson. The earliest problem for an occasional bite can occur when a nursing mom is breastfeeding her teething baby. It’s not until children are 2 or 3 years old that some of the children learn to bite in an aggressive fashion. “It’s a behavior, in that age, really cannot and should not be tolerated,” said the Doctor.

Dr Jameson discusses a few tips for parents to help manage the biting.

Prevent the incident from happening.
If you can catch the biting before it happens by saying to the child:  “No, no don’t bite.  Let’s do nice touches.”  Then take the child’s hand and put it on your cheek and show the child nice touches instead of biting.

Time Outs
Time outs are one of the most effective ways to correct this behavior but children at this age have such a short attention span the consequence that follows the offense must happen immediately. Dr. Jameson says, “In order to administer a consequence, you have to be watching the child and you have to see them do it.  And be prepared to pull that child into time out so quickly that they’re surprised with ‘Oh man, I was having a good time playing.  And all of a sudden I did this and man, I wish I hadn’t done that.’”

Diane would like to enroll Gregory in preschool to prepare him for kindergarten but is fearful the biting may still be an issue. Her pediatrician suggested reading the book 1-2-3-Magic. Diane is hoping that the techniques in that book will solve the problem; she will just have to be consistent.

By helping your child find more appropriate outlets for aggressive feelings and frustration, you can encourage your child to develop self control; and away from biting

Web

Community Medical Providers
Medical Group
Dr. Harry Jameson
1570 East Herndon
Fresno, ca.93720
559-437-7338

1-2-3-Magic
www.parentmagic.com