9 Month Old Son Biting!

Hello,

My daughter did this and I bit her back where she bit me and told her no. It only took a couple of times and she stopped really fast.

Believe me it works!

Hi S.,
I agree with Faith in saying you are going to create a hitter. (bopper - lol)

Do not underestimate your child. At 9 months, they understand a lot: especially "no."

My first was a biter... *WAS.* First of all, I figured out some certain influences (aka a spouse who thought it was 'funny'). Had to have a conversation with Dad about that.

Then every time he bit me, I said (firmly, with that Mom's look of death on my face) "No biting" (like you) and gave him a firm palm-squeeze. Yup-he cried. It made him mad. Just make sure you're not yelling: firm, but calm. But my son (now 4) never bites anyone. He doesn't hit either, (except for the occasional battle over a toy with his little bro.-he, he)
T

Hi!

It's hard when you little one is biting you for what seems like no reason huh? =D

First, don't bop him. He doesn't get that he's getting punished for something he did. He's too little to make that connection yet. And you can seriously hurt his hands if you bop even a little too hard. Later if you need to, cover his hand with yours and bop your hand. He'll think he's the one getting bopped and there's no way he'll get hurt. I remember my mom doing just that to me and me getting so upset! LOL she didn't even touch me!

Second if you can, when he's about to bite, somehow get his hand in the way so he bites himself. My son was an avid biter but once he bit himself and figured out it hurt he stopped. It can take a couple of times but it usually works.

If that doesn't, every time he bites say a firm no and put him in his playpen for a minute or 2. He'll eventually get that if he bites then he doesn't get to play anymore.

If those don't work my friend used Bitter Apple. It's an anti chewing spray made for (believe or not) puppies. It's safe as far as I know for your little one. It tastes horrible and you just spray your hands with it. Just be careful not to lick your hand on accident!

Best of luck to you and your family!!

-L

My son is the same age and I'm having similar issues. He only bites me, no one else. I've determined that this only happens when he is tired or I've just picked him up from daycare and he's excited to have me hold him. I am doing the same thing as you are, telling him no and putting my finger against his lips gently. I also put him down when I can or give him something else to bite on like a teething ring. He cries a little as if his feelings are hurt, but not for long. I think he will eventually learn not to bite and I don't think this behavior is permanent.

My son also bites me, usually on the shoulder, I think he is teething. Never the less, it hurts and I just tell him No in a firm voice and tell him "that hurts!" I don't think a child that young understands hitting, or why you are hitting. Plus he'll then start to think he can hit too! Not sure it will solve anything for you. You might try some humphrey's or something cold to chew on like a cold wash cloth?

Hi there S..

I have found saying "Ah Ah" is a good preventative for biting. They are trying things out and of course it goes into the mouth.

All the best.

J.

Hi S., If you keep "bopping" him, you will also have a hitter! Kids learn what is done to them. I didn't have biters so hopefully you will get some good advice. Be careful about starting a home daycare...check with your insurance agent...major liabilty issue for you. Good luck!

Is he teething? does it help to give him other things to bite, especially cold, hard things? At 9mos. I would say you definitely do not have a discipline issue, he is attempting to get your attention. Perhaps, everytime he bites you, you can give him something else that is ok to put in his mouth and say, "you may not bite mommy but you may bite "this."" I believe this too shall pass, but I hear that you do not want him to learn biting others...way to be proactive!!! =-)

Wow...I'm in the SAME BOAT! My son is 10 months old and has biten me many times. He doesn't bite my husband much at all but I seem to be his main victim :-) I am trying to understand what makes him do it. I think I have it narrowed down to when he's tired. I don't know if he's trying to tell me that since I nurse him right before bed. Although I am weaning now so we'll see.

What I have been doing and I think it helps is when he bites me or acts like he's going to bite me. I put him down or walk away from him while saying no. I usually do it suddenly and it kinda scares him a bit. I won't pick him up for a few mintues after that either. I usually just put him down and walk away from him. He usually starts crying so hopefully he is associating the biting with me leaving.

Good luck with your little vampire! Ha!

He's only 9 months old, a baby. The next time he does it, gently pry him off...tell him NO in a firm voice. No hitting, bopping, whatever....babies do not need to be hit or bopped (I know you're not really hitting him, but it's the same principle). Kids are smart but just kids...and this one dosn't have the capabilities to understand why he's being bopped. The reflex is that if you are flicked etc., you want to strike back. Offer him something else to bite too perhaps...sometimes babies can be distracted like that.

First off, ignore the judgmental moms lecturing you about "bopping". Secondly, as far as advice goes, I would try screaming in pain when he bites...loudly enough to seriously startle him. You don't have to shatter his eardrums, but a high-pitched, sudden "OUCH!" should do the trick. I actually learned this when I was reading about ways to get my puppy to quit biting and found that it worked pretty darn good on the human variety as well. Well, it did with mine at least. ;-)

It might not work immediately, but stick with it and see if it helps over the course of a week. I'll warn you, though, getting him to stop biting you and your hubby is WAY easier than getting him to stop biting other children. But perhaps taking care of it before you start childcare will keep him from getting ideas about other kids.

Good luck!

I would think that a 9 month old is really to young for much, if any discipline. I would tell him "no biting, biting hurts" and then move him away from the person that he just bit. Look on line (try Love and Logic) to get some idea's of age appropriate discipline. I agree with the others that if you start 'bopping' him now, you will create hitting issues that you will be dealing with later.
I have 4 kids and at one time or another they went through a biting stage and it was usually around the time they stared teething. It was usually short lived but frustrating nonetheless.
Good Luck Mama :D