• Experimental biting:
  Experimental biting is done by infants and toddlers as they explore their world. They put everything in their mouths and sometimes bite in the process. You can help decrease biting by telling them, "No - biting hurts!" and being firm. Offer them things that they can safely bite on such as teething rings.

• Frustration biting:
  Frustration biting happens when young children become frustrated and unable to cope with a situation. Until they learn how to play cooperatively, they may respond to the demands of other children by hitting or biting. Some helpful guidelines for decreasing this type of biting include:

  • Keep playtimes short and groups small.
  • Supervise young children's play closely.
  • If biting occurs, say, "No, don't bite. Biting hurts." and remove your child from the situation right away. Stay with your child and help the child to calm down. Explore other, better ways to handle the situation with your child, so the child learns to handle emotions differently next time.
• Powerless biting:
  Powerless biting occurs when a child is in need of feeling powerful. Sometimes, the youngest child in the family uses biting to gain power. To help prevent this type of biting:
  • Make sure your child feels protected and is not always being "picked on" by others.
  • Explain the situation to bigger or older children and get their help to make things more equal.
  • If biting occurs, tell your child to not to bite and remove the child from the situation right away. Stay with your child and help your child to calm down. Explore other, better ways to handle the situation with your child, so the child learns to handle emotions differently next time.
• Stressful biting:
  Stressful biting is done when a child is under a lot of emotional stress. Biting may be a sign of distress or pain when the child is upset or angry. If this occurs:
  • Try to find out what is bothering your child. Watch for what happens right before the biting occurs.
  • Help your child to find other ways to express feelings. Let your child know that biting is wrong and remove the child from the situation right away.

If your child bites, respond firmly, but calmly, to the biting. Let your child know that you disapprove and remove the childfrom the situation. Help your child learn new ways to handle things. If your child bites repeatedly, be sure to consult your child's physician or healthcare provider about the problem.