Biting question

[bec]

DD is 26 months. She is a very sweet and gentle child with others. She will even share toys with her friends (not expected at all!).

A couple of weeks ago, though, she has started biting. Not other kids, but herself! She seems fascinated with the marks she can make on her skin, which is fine, but sometimes she'll cry because she has hurt herself.:

We have had a lot of success with telling her to use gentle touches with people (other kids, mom, dad, etc.). So, I've transferred that phrase and whenever I see her biting herself, I am now telling her to use gentle touches with herself.

I'm trying to not get too worked up it, but I just hate seeing bitemarks on her precious skin! She doesn't have the verbal skills yet to communicate to me why she is doing it. Any other suggestions on how I can handle this?


Bec

[sparklemom]

i personally would make no issue of it at all. of course inside while watching her do it you're freaking out, but hold back the comments. she's bright and will not "really" hurt herself, at least not more than once. if you make an issue of it then it could escalate.

[bec]

Sigh

I know you're right. It just kills me to see these horrible bite marks on her. Last night, they were red for hours afterward! It's hard, and I know it should be a self correcting problem with it's own built in consequences, but I still hate it, kwim? Anyway, thanks for the advice. I guess I just need to hear it from someone else.


Bec