How to Deal with a Biting Toddler

Dealing with a biting toddler can be a challenging aspect of parenting, but it's essential to approach the situation with patience, understanding, and effective strategies.

Why do they bite? Toddlers bite for a variety of reasons. One reason is that they’re teething and are looking for relief. For these toddlers, simply giving them a teether to chew on could be helpful.

For older toddlers, they may bite because they are non-verbal and it is their way of getting someone to stop doing what they’re doing. For these toddlers, teaching them how to walk away or use sign language could be helpful.

Finally, some toddler bite because of sensory issues - overstimulation. Overstimulation is when there are too many things going on in the environment; maybe there’s too much noise, too many loud colors, too many conflicting patterns, too many toys, too much furniture, etc. Look into the environment where the child is having these biting behaviors and consider if the environment may be overstimulating to your child. If it is, consider redecorating the space.

Typically, I’ve seen biting behaviors in daycares where there may be too many children, too many loud noises, too many toys, and too many clashing decorations. In this case, having a conversation with the daycare teacher and director could be beneficial to seeing if there is a solution that will work for the classroom and your child. Alternatively, you may consider finding a daycare that fosters a more calming environment while also teaching your child other ways of coping when they’re feeling overwhelmed.

If you would like more help or to consult about your child’s needs, feel free to contact me.

Wishing you the best!

Carmelita Aufdemberge