Almost inevitable in young children, the bite has different meanings often related to age. Whether used as a means of discovery or communication, it must be repressed.
Pediatric nurse and former director of nursery, Laurence Rameau offers different solutions adapted to the circumstances and the age of the child who bites.
Around a year, the baby tests his teeth and the effect of his bites on objects and living beings, the first concerned are often parents. "All children go through this phase, even if it is more or less noticeable," says Laurence Rameau.
After two years, the bite readily serves as a means of expression. The child can use it for:
Attract the attention of his parents.
Defend yourself when you feel threatened or attacked (when you take his toy for example).
Get what he wants or is denied (an object or a toy from another child for example).
Show your emotions: anger, fatigue, frustration, or, more surprisingly, a love drive.
Show that he is experiencing a stressful event (change in his routines or routines poorly adapted to his pace).
or because he was a witness or a victim of aggressive acts.
BITS AND DENTAL PUSH
Between 3 months and 12 months, at the time of dental flare, baby can chew on anything he finds. The bite, puts pressure on the gums and relieves the child. To help her teeth, give her a ring or teething toy.
REMEMBER PROHIBITED
"Biting is one of the fundamental prohibitions and, even if the baby does not do so aggressively, it is important to signify it at the first attempt, with a" No "firm pushing his head," advises Laurence Rameau. The best way to stop biting is to take it back immediately after the bite.
When the child is older, the ideal is to put himself at his height to make him understand that you do not appreciate his gesture: he has the right to be dissatisfied but biting hurts and you do not want that 'he's starting again.
Stay calm but firm. An overreaction may encourage the child to start again if he is trying to attract attention. Also in this case, first take care of the child who has been bitten. Your child will see that biting does not work to attract attention.
If your child bites again, isolate him immediately: he will not be able to play with the other children if he bit them. We must not bite, it hurts. To isolate a child, also allows him to find his calm and to make him aware of his act.
If you know what caused the bite, you can easily suggest a more appropriate behavior: cuddling if the child wants to testify his love, a new attempt to obtain an object, the solicitation of an adult if he feels frustrated, the "No", the tears or cries to oppose or externalize his anger ...
Whatever the cause of his behavior, it may be useful to suggest that he bite an object on which he is not likely to damage his gums or teeth. Thereafter, care should be taken to prevent the bite and encourage the use of other means of expression.
Finally, if you noticed that the child will bite by his attitude (anger, stress, nervousness). Anticipate his behavior and offer him a games a mediating activity (with the other child).
Do not tell him he's mean. The child is built according to the image that is given to him of himself and that would only reinforce his bad behaviors. "The child who has bitten is often unhappy to have been overwhelmed by an impulse, take him in your arms and reassure him: you still love him despite his gesture" adds Laurence Rameau.
Be aware that bites usually stop with the acquisition of language. Their persistence can reveal a deeper malaise whose cause must be sought with the help of professionals if necessary.
Pediatric nurse and former director of nursery, Laurence Rameau offers different solutions adapted to the circumstances and the age of the child who bites.
Why is my baby biting?
The infant uses his mouth to touch, taste and discover the world around him. When his teeth appear, he does not yet know the difference between sucking, sucking or biting.Around a year, the baby tests his teeth and the effect of his bites on objects and living beings, the first concerned are often parents. "All children go through this phase, even if it is more or less noticeable," says Laurence Rameau.
After two years, the bite readily serves as a means of expression. The child can use it for:
Attract the attention of his parents.
Defend yourself when you feel threatened or attacked (when you take his toy for example).
Get what he wants or is denied (an object or a toy from another child for example).
Show your emotions: anger, fatigue, frustration, or, more surprisingly, a love drive.
Show that he is experiencing a stressful event (change in his routines or routines poorly adapted to his pace).
or because he was a witness or a victim of aggressive acts.
BITS AND DENTAL PUSH
Between 3 months and 12 months, at the time of dental flare, baby can chew on anything he finds. The bite, puts pressure on the gums and relieves the child. To help her teeth, give her a ring or teething toy.
Baby bites: how to react to bites?
REMEMBER PROHIBITED
"Biting is one of the fundamental prohibitions and, even if the baby does not do so aggressively, it is important to signify it at the first attempt, with a" No "firm pushing his head," advises Laurence Rameau. The best way to stop biting is to take it back immediately after the bite.
When the child is older, the ideal is to put himself at his height to make him understand that you do not appreciate his gesture: he has the right to be dissatisfied but biting hurts and you do not want that 'he's starting again.
Stay calm but firm. An overreaction may encourage the child to start again if he is trying to attract attention. Also in this case, first take care of the child who has been bitten. Your child will see that biting does not work to attract attention.
If your child bites again, isolate him immediately: he will not be able to play with the other children if he bit them. We must not bite, it hurts. To isolate a child, also allows him to find his calm and to make him aware of his act.
Propose another behavior
If you know what caused the bite, you can easily suggest a more appropriate behavior: cuddling if the child wants to testify his love, a new attempt to obtain an object, the solicitation of an adult if he feels frustrated, the "No", the tears or cries to oppose or externalize his anger ...
Whatever the cause of his behavior, it may be useful to suggest that he bite an object on which he is not likely to damage his gums or teeth. Thereafter, care should be taken to prevent the bite and encourage the use of other means of expression.
Finally, if you noticed that the child will bite by his attitude (anger, stress, nervousness). Anticipate his behavior and offer him a games a mediating activity (with the other child).
Baby bites: do's and don'ts
It is absolutely not recommended to bite the author of a bite to show him that it hurts. Laurence Rameau explains: "It would be to transgress the prohibition and let it be understood that it is the law of the strongest that applies!"Do not tell him he's mean. The child is built according to the image that is given to him of himself and that would only reinforce his bad behaviors. "The child who has bitten is often unhappy to have been overwhelmed by an impulse, take him in your arms and reassure him: you still love him despite his gesture" adds Laurence Rameau.
Be aware that bites usually stop with the acquisition of language. Their persistence can reveal a deeper malaise whose cause must be sought with the help of professionals if necessary.
