LO is 11 months old, and while he doesn't do this often, there are particular instances where he would do this. Well, only two instances - if I'm sitting in front of the computer, or when I'm trying to prepare food in the kitchen. He would crawl over, pull up on me, and then bite my leg! Nowadays when I see him coming close while I am sitting or in the kitchen, I drop what I'm doing and give him attention because I'm so afraid of being bitten, but dude, he has this power over me now! What should I do? I could avoid it from happening in the first place, but it bugs me that he's already capable of using that as a technique to get my attention. I don't know how to NOT give him attention when he does it either! Help!
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Do you happen to play bite your baby?
LO had such cute chubby thighs... I can't help but play bite them... but when he learned to crawl and get near me suddenly he would sometimes bite me. I think he was just trying to copy but his bites really really hurt!
He only did it a few times and everytime I would stop him and look at him sternly and said no bitting. I also stop play bitting him... I miss play bitting... but now I just smell him really deeply. ^_^
He doesn't bite anymore.
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Push into the bite. Without making eye contact, gently push his head into wherever he is biting you - it reduces the pain by a land slide, and avoids the "ripping effect" when he tears his mouth away from your skin.
I know it is *so* hard to avoid giving attention to something that hurts, but it is definitely the attention he seeks, here. I would give him lots of praise, encouragement, and attention when he's behaving appropriately, and remove all attention when he's behaving aggressively. I'm not sure if he is old enough to understand a short time-out procedure, but if you think he would grasp the concept, I wouldn't hesitate to very nonchalantly, and calmly give him some time away. If that isn't something that would work, I would very firmly look at him face to face, and say, "there's no biting," before resuming whatever it is you're doing.
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@Raindrop: I've been wondering what it means to "play bite" or give "love bites." I definitely kiss my LO everywhere, especially his chunky little thighs, but I don't know if I'm play biting him. Does it involve teeth? Do kisses count? I used to blow on his tummy too! Glad to hear your LO stopped biting, and your smelling your LO really deeply comment made me smile.
@deerylou: Thanks for your advice on how to lessen the pain of the bite. I'm hoping I won't have to experience another bite, but I feel like I'm walking on egg shells whenever his mouth gets anywhere near me! I've tried saying "no biting" in a stern manner but they've only elicited two responses, one - crying cuz he knows mama is serious/upset, and two - almost a sinister look. Good thing he doesn't bite when nursing! Hahahaha.
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@cranberryapple: Oh good god, the nipple pain would be atrocious....
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The tactic that has worked the best for me is to react strongly to the pain (a little exaggerated even) and then walk away. Obviously you can't go too far away but totally ignore him for a minute or two. After that break just resume positive interaction. At a different time model a better way to get your attention, soft pats or rubbing would be a good substitute.
Good luck! I know it is not a fun phase but I swear they do all grow out of it eventually!
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@cranberryapple: Oh for me a "play bite" can mean different things. Sometimes I open my mouth big enough to actually bite him but only bite down a little bit... not to hurt him.
Sometimes I cover my teeth with my lips (kind of like when you are little and pretending you have no teeth with your friends) and I open my mouth big enough to "bite" him and again don't bite down hard at all.
Sometimes I just make the noise and "nip" at him like quick little kisses and say "nom nom nom".
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