Biting Toddlers

Basically toddlers are biting for oral gratification or out of jealousy. Look for biting that occurs when one child gets in the others space, biting that occurs near a meal time, biting that occurs when one child has played with a toy that belongs to the biter. Once you have an idea of what sets off the biting, then be ready. As soon as the child starts to bite---not actually bites---say "No bite". "Kiss, Kiss, No Bite". If the child actually bites, say---"Uh-Oh", looks like a little bedroom time." (as opposed to timeout). Say---"Feel free to come out when you can be nice and not bite." The child may come out in three minutes or 10 minutes---whatever it takes to get under control---you are teaching the child to get control by themselves and that if they bite, they will not be able to play with Mom, Dad, and brother. This may happen 10 times the first day, just a few times the second day, and by the third or fourth day the biting will be over. (This really does work, but only if it is used over and over again during a short period of time.) You may actually find the child going to his bedroom to chill when he recognizes the urge to bite.

The vinegar thing has worked for some kids----just not quite as logical as being separated if you can't play nicely.

The biting back may work, but also teaches kids that you can hit, or inflict pain when someone hits or bites you. But, if it works, it works. I just can't recommend it.

Most important is to try one technique for several days consistently. If you feel after a week that something isn't working at all, then it is time to re-evaluate.

Good luck, let me know how things work out. There is a ton of stuff on the internet,
but I must say that of all the topics that I read about, I didn't agree or feel comfortable with what most of the sources were siting as far as reasons. Some kids never bite, and others just seem to feel a compulsion to bite and it is our task to help them learn how to control that urge.