Young Children Bite Studies Show. But, They Don’t Have To. Here are 13 Ironclad Steps To Stop It

Last updated on March 5, 2021

Parenting is highly rewarding. But like everything else in life, it can come with some challenges. If you have a child that will bite, scratch, or pinch, guess what? You are not on your own. This phase occurs more frequently than you think.

However, it may be irritating and pose a risk to public health through the possible “transmission of infections such as viral hepatitis and HIV” Therefore, having a deeper understanding of the behavior is incredibly eye-opening.

This post will give you some tips and strategies to deal with it properly. That said, let us take a closer look at the behavior and respond to the most frequently asked question – WHY?

Biting

Biting is common in young children. In fact, epidemiological studies show that half of all children in daycare are bitten by another child.

Biting can appear to be a form of anti-social behavior, but it is actually a normal developmental phase and could actually be an early form of communication.

Karen Sullivan, 2015

However, even though typically developing children exhibit this behavior, the American Disabilities Association sees biting as a possible sign of autism. When a child with autism bites, it may sometimes be self-stimulating behavior (stimming). In which the child is reacting to something he or she is feeling or experiencing. Like being overwhelmed, overexcited, tired, uneasy, or bored). This podcast sheds some light on autism.

Why Young Children Bite

The reasons generally fall into two broad categories:

Sensory challenges include:

• Hyperstimulation
• Jitteriness
• Irritability
• Over-excitement
• Over-tiredness
• Excitability
• Anxiety
• Oversensitivity

Neurological sensory problems may occur as a result of exposure to some compounds.

Communication difficulties include:

Language deficits

The lack of language skills to understand and express feelings may lead to frustration. In turn, difficulty expressing that emotion may result in behaviors including biting, scratching, or pinching.

This means that children can display this behavior when:

1. The child is unable to communicate how they feel
2. The child is trying to meet a need for oral motor stimulation
3. The child is over-stimulated
4. The child has not developed self-control
5. The child is teething
6. The child is stressed: Requiring a child to do something that the child cannot do can cause stress. Stress can result in biting
7. The child is imitating other children and adults
8. The child is instinctively acting in self-defense when being bullied or experiencing aggressive behavior from another person
9. The child is seeking attention: He/she may be needing to attract attention.
10. There is a delay in social and emotional development – may not know what is acceptable
11. There is a lack of awareness – They may not yet know the consequences of their actions
12. The child is experimenting – Perhaps investigating cause and effect. For example: ‘What happens when I bite?‘
13. The child is curious – wants to find out how it feels

What do you do when a child bites

No matter what the reason is, biting oneself can cause injury. And biting other people is seen as aggression or intrusive behavior. Typically, kids grow up, develop self-control, and problem-solving abilities. Your growing child will need to be re-directed because the behavior doesn’t define your child is. That said:

1. Stay calm.
2. Use simple words to make it clear that you cannot bite. For example, in a firm pitch, do not bite.
3. Be consistent.
4. Be patient. Changing behavior sometimes takes time.

The Following Strategies Address A Child’s Tendency To Bite

1. Determine the behavior function by watching your child closely. Find out where, when, and how the behavior happens
2. Watch out for signs and intervene if your child is about to bite.
3. Teach your child words to express strong emotions and communicate wants and need
4. Use positive re-direction to help your child learn self-control
5. Praise good behavior.
6. Ensure your behavior expectations are specific to your age and child. This lessens frustration
7. Young kids thrive when they know what’s going to happen next. Make schedules predictable
8. Taking responsibility: Allow your child to make choices while learning about the consequences of their decisions
9. Make an effort to prevent over-stimulation (sensory overload). Over-stimulation and the inability to communicate can be associated with several behavior issues.
10. Make an effort to keep the child engaged through play. Healthy play results in better-coping abilities as a child develops. If a child is bored or frustrated, offer activities that meet their sensory needs. Modeling clay, foam balls, bubbles, and relaxing activities like yoga is helpful
11. Provide food with different textures to meet mouth sensory needs
12. Keep the mouth occupied by:
    • Taking in a snack
    • Blowing bubbles
    • Chewing some gum (if they can do so safely)
    • Biting on oral sensory tools (It helps kids learn what they can bite safely, without harming anyone else). The following are a few examples to try.

Spiky Sensory Ring / Bracelet Fidget Toy (Pack of 3) – No BPA, Phthalate, Latex – Fidgets Toys / Stress Rings for Children and Adults – by Impresa Products

SANHO Chewable Jewelry Coil Bracelet Set- Speech and Communication Aid for Autism and Sensory, Assorted Colors (Set of 6)

Sensory Chew Bracelet for Baby, Kids – Navy Camo Silicone Teething Beads for Boys, Chewable Toddler Bracelet for Biting with Autistic, Autism, ADHD, Teether Ring Toys for Babies

Lava Rock Bracelet – 8mm Lava Rock Bead Tiger Eye and Black Matte Agate Anxiety Bracelet, Men Women Stress Relief Yoga Beads Adjustable Aromatherapy Essential Oil Diffuser Healing Bracelets

Munchables Sensory Chew Bracelets – Coil Fidget Toys (Pinks – Set of 7)

Feeling Overwhelmed?

Try, parent-children intervention therapy. This is a promising intervention. It significantly betters:

1. Parenting skills (it increases positive parenting skills and reduces negative parenting skills)
2. Emotional readiness (increases parental sensitivity and non-intrusive parenting)
3. Child behavior (reduces externalization and internalization behaviors)
4. Parental perceptions of how difficult the child is

The Following Strategies DO NOT Address Biting Or Related Behaviors

• Do not bite the kid to show him how it feels. Doing so sends the message that using violence is acceptable behavior to solve problems.
• Avoid getting upset, yelling, or embarrassing the child.
• Never give too much attention to a child who bites after an incident. Negative attention like yelling can reinforce the behavior and cause a child to repeat it.
• Do not label the child. Negative labels negatively impact self-esteem and parent-child relationships.
• Do not hit kids when they bite – this kind of punishment doesn’t help kids learn discipline and self-control. “Here is what spanking does“. It also affects the relationship between you and your child.

While you work toward stopping your child from biting, remember that you aren’t alone in this struggle. Many children bite, and it is possible to help them move on from this phase.

Please, add your voice to the discussion. If you have or know a child that is showing, has shown or may show any of these behaviors, please comment below. Tell us what worked or failed. Also, do not hesitate to share this post with your family and friends. Thank you.

#growingup #growinguphealthy #positiveparenting #nobiting #noscratching #nopinching