OMG biting! HELP!

[yentroc]

My 14 mo ds started biting me I think in response to teething and/or frustration.  

Now he bites me for attention.  Every time I take my attention off of him, or if he wants to be picked up (which is constantly) he bites me.  He walks up to me and chomps on my leg - HARD!

I've told him, "teeth are not for biting".  I've reacted with a "OUCH!"  doing the sign for pain.  I've firmly said, "NO".  I've physically put him on his bottom (when he wants to be picked up to show him that I won't pick him up if he bites me).  I've even tried to drop everything, carry him around as much as I can, etc.  He bites me while I'm holding him and hits me in the face!

I'm starting to lose my patience and get really frustrated.  

HELP!!

[yentroc]

Nobody?!  

[Shannie77]

I couldn't not respond... I hate when I post and no one replies. :P  I seem to remember DD1 going through a biting/ hitting phase around that age.  The only thing I did was to be on guard all the time and not allow her to do it.  I would physically stop her.  I also tried not to say anything when I was stopping her - I guess my theory was I was trying to not put any emphasis on the behaviour.  Now if she DID bite me or hit me I would say ouch and put her down, or turn away for a moment.  After a month or so the behaviour stopped.  It may of just run it's course or maybe what I did helped. 

That said DD1 has never been a hitter or biter as an older child. :)

[nd_deadhead]

My twin sons went through the same thing at about that age - but they usually bit each other (in spite of our best efforts to closely supervise). J was covered with bite marks at their 15-month well-baby check, and our doctor simply said "It looks like B's teeth are coming in nicely!".

You are doing the right things, but it will take time. Continue to reinforce appropriate actions (touching your leg to be picked up, instead of biting it). I would continue to say "Ouch!" and put him away from you when he bites you, and give him something else to put in his mouth, like a cold teething ring or frozen washcloth (if you think it's teething pain).

It sounds like this has gotten to be a habit - remember, habits take a long time to break. Be consistent, and hang in there!