Biting

DD (12 months - almost 13) is biting...a lot. It started out as just me a few weeks ago. Sometimes she would do it while trying to show affection. Other times she would do it if she wanted my attention and I wasn't giving it to her. For example, I would be making dinner and she'd be whining and then she'd bite my leg. I spoke to the ped about it and he said to do time outs. They were effective at first and we saw a definite decrease in her biting, but it still didn't stop. Last week her teachers at daycare mentioned that she had bitten them a couple of times. And then it happened. She bit another child...twice. I saw the marks on his arm. I was just beside myself.

What more can we do? Everytime she bites we very firmly tell her "no biting" and put her in time out (in her crib with nothing in it). I used to do it for about a minute, but after biting another child I've been leaving her in time out for 2-3 minutes. I am scared for her to be at school today. They agreed to set up a pack n' play and put her in time out if she opens her mouth to bite, so I'm hoping the consistency will help.

Anyone have experience or suggestions? I'm so frustrated by this phase.

Biting

Bump - Anyone?

Re: Biting

My son went through this, too, and it was gut-wrenching because I couldn't believe it was MY child (whom I thought was sweet, innocent, loving, etc).
I really think it was a phase he went through when he was pre-verbal and would get frustrated/mad when he couldn't communicate as well as he wanted to.
My ped recommended that I make a BIG deal about it not being acceptable behavior. When he bit, I would kneel down next to him, firmly take his arms and get close in his face with a firm, "we don't bite." and then walk away (to teach him he won't get my attention/affection/playtime if he bites). It happened more when he was tired/cranky (ie at bedtime, naptime), and it eventually just stopped.