How to wean a child from biting? Tips for parents

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

In the life of almost every parent there was a situation when his child bit someone. Mom, dad, another child, grandmother or your cat. Whoever fell under a hot hand, or rather a tooth, was unpleasant and painful for him. So, this behavior is wrong, and it must be fought. But how do you stop a child from biting so they don't run into something even more nasty?

Before you can answer this question, you need to understand the reasons why he does this, because they always are.

At the age of 5 to 7 months, the baby bites simply because in this way he tries to relieve the pain that occurs during teething. The methods of struggle in this case are the most obvious: you need to give the little “biter” rubber toys-teethers, which are specially made for this.

What to do if a baby bites between 8 and 14 months of age? During this period, this can happen if the baby is tired oroverexcited, also the cause of the “tooth test” of the parents may be discomfort or irritation. In addition, parents themselves set a bad example for their child, biting his fingers as a sign of love and tenderness. And since dad or mom does this, then, of course, their son or daughter is simply obliged to do the same. Another aspect should not be forgotten: at this age, your baby is actively learning about the world around him through tactile and gustatory sensations. He's just curious to know what you taste like. How to wean a child to bite at this age? Pretend that you are in terrible pain, you should not overdo it, but reasonable grotesque does not hurt. Your baby is already able to understand that he hurt you, and will try not to do it in the future.

In the period from one and a half to 3 years, the child bites in self-defense or in order to attract attention, albeit negative. Your baby, despite his small size, may experience great feelings: helplessness, fear, irritation, anger. But his speech abilities are not yet developed enough to express his emotions in words, so he can bite someone to give vent to what is bothering him. How to wean a child from biting in this case? In no case do not use force, because, unlike him, you speak for a long time and a lot, so use your weapon like that. Explain that it hurts the bitten person, that it is not good to do so. Try to spend more time with your baby so that he feels safe. Teach him to express himselffeelings in words or other actions that do not bring pain to others (beat a pillow, crumple or tear paper).

After 3 years old, the child bites in the kindergarten or in the yard to protect himself from peer attacks, their ridicule and aggression in his direction. Also, the reason for such a reaction to negativity may lie in a stressful situation at home: frequent quarrels or divorce of parents, the arrival of another man in the house instead of dad, weakening of mother's attention due to the appearance of a little brother or sister. How to wean a child from biting in such a difficult situation? Before scolding your baby for "ugly behavior", look around and think about whether it's time to change your attitude towards the child, create a more comfortable environment for him at home.

This does not mean that you need to remain silent, on the contrary, the reaction on your part must follow without fail, so that the child clearly understands that this should not be done under any circumstances. Therefore, be sure to strictly talk to him, if you see fit, punish him (leave him without an evening cartoon, for example), but remember that adults are almost always to blame for children's problems. And draw your own conclusions.