Why Children Bite And How To Stop Them

Many parents wonder why children are bitten. Biting is a common habit and can occur for various reasons in children between 1 and 3 years.

Babies and toddlers use their mouths to explore, learn and relate to the world around them. The mouth is one of the first places of the body that develops full sensitivity.

In addition, when the teeth come out, babies need to soothe their palate. Without the self-control that adults have, they bite or chew on virtually everything they can get their hands on.

At the same time, children between the ages of 1 and 3 use this behavior to socialize. But why do children bite people? Normally, this is a way to get attention, or to get a desired toy.

They can also be bitten if they are nervous or frustrated. For example,  during a radical change in their lives. This habit will normally disappear when they start kindergarten or preschool and begin to develop other communication skills.

Of course, there may be other underlying causes of biting, such as emotional problems. This means that it is always good to pay attention to the child to see what motivates his or her behavior.

Below we will talk about the most common reasons why children are bitten:

5 reasons why children are bitten

According to studies by the American National Association for the Education of Young Children, there are 5 main reasons why toddlers are bitten.

Exploration

Babies can start biting early because of their natural curiosity about the objects that surround them. As previously mentioned, the mouth develops early.

Babies and toddlers use  all their senses to learn about the world around them. This means that they may bite their peer’s hand hard. If this happens, you simply have to tell the child not to do it again.

Attention

One reason children are bitten is to get the attention of their parents or peers. In this case, it is very important to explain that it is wrong because it harms others.

Firmly tell them that it is not possible to repeat such behavior. Teach your children that they should express themselves in words, and without hurting others.

Self-defense

If children begin to get to know other children in an unfamiliar environment, they may try to bite others.

Children will often see biting as a form of self-defense against older children. In this case, you can assure them that they are safe and that no one is trying to harm them.

Control

Children have a great need for autonomy and control. When they discover the effect that a bite has on the environment, they can feel stronger and more powerful.

To correct this behavior, we should make sure to give them as much attention as they  share toys, say thank you and be kind to others. Teach your children that they can get respect from their peers without using force.

Change

Another reason why children are bitten is the presence of  an underlying emotional problem or a major change in the children’s lives. This can happen, for example, when they have a new brother or sister.

Other common reasons include moving or meeting children at a new kindergarten. Biting is a way for the child to express themselves and get attention regarding the situation.

How do you handle this behavior?

Telling children not to do anything does not mean that they understand that something is right or wrong. When they grow up, they copy the behavior of those around them.

For that reason  , it is important for parents to set a good example. Show them that there are other ways to relate to others.

Use language to solve problems, take turns, ask to borrow toys, give hugs, be kind and respect others – all these actions and attitudes that can be learned by example.

When your children are behaving well, praise them so that they know that what they are doing is good and desirable. For example, make sure you congratulate your child on playing peacefully with a friend.

How to prevent children from being bitten

The first thing you do  is observe your baby and find out why it bites. This is a behavior that may not get a solution overnight, so patience and understanding are the key to long-term results.

What can we do to stop children from biting?

• Think about when and why your baby is bitten.
• Do not let your child out of sight when playing with other children. Your presence will have a positive impact.
• Stay calm even if it bites someone. Explain to your child that he did something wrong. Tell it to never bite other children. Food is the only thing you should put in your mouth!
• Ask other parents for advice to see how they do with their children. Maybe they can help.
• Do not punish or shout at your child. Try to understand it.

Remember that as children grow and learn, they can add to other habits that we need to help them correct. The most important thing is to  understand the reasons behind the behavior.

Always support your child. If you still feel insecure, you can talk to other parents or why not someone who works professionally with children and has extensive experience. They may have some advice or method that has not occurred to you yet.