Every toddler has bit or has been bitten but if you have a child that has bit it dosn’t mean that they are a biter. There have been studies that were done that show about half of children attending daycares have been bitten three times per year. So toddlers biting is in fact a very common thing.
Biting happens in many stages. The first stage is when the teeth are erupting from the gums. Your child will want to bite to sooth the discomfort of the swollen gums. This kind of biting will be soothed from biting a rattle or a teething ring. If your baby tries to bite you while breast feeding quickly remove the infant and set them down in a safe place. At this time when your baby gets a negative response they will stop biting soon.
About the time that your toddler has their first birthday is when they have their second stage of biting. They may bite to show their excitement. Sometimes normal routines can help. At this time when your toddler tries to bit you should respond firmly every time and it should stop almost immediately.
Again your toddler may start to bite around the age of two. Your toddler bites at this time to show that they want to be independent. When your toddler bites to prove that they are in control then you need to give the child a time out and explain that it hurts. Teach your toddler commutation skills that they may be lacking. Occassionally normal routines will be helpful. When your toddler has the skills that are needed the biting should stop.
Be sure to watch your toddler closely if they are going through a biting phase. It is best to acknowledge good behaviour. It wouldn’t hurt to offer your toddler something to chew on at this stage either. Just like healthy cycles, usually. If you have caught your toddler biting the respond with a firm voice and place your toddler on a time out.