Name: Alanya

Problem: My bright, usually sweet child has taken to biting herself and others (usually my husband and I) when she is frustrated or upset. She has an elaborate hand language but only uses 4 or 5 words. we have tried everything from "time out" to telling her that biting hurts and it is a no-no. If she can't bite she bashes her head into the floor and hits anyone that comes close to her. When will this stop and how can I control her behavior and help her not hurt herself or others?

Solution submitted by Winker of Huntington, CT: I have a 2 year old who has subsided on his biting tremendously. I think the key to solving kid problems is consistency!!! They depend on it. My 2 year old started biting at about 18 months old when he was tired, angry or frustrated.

First you have to recognize why he/she is biting. My son would bite around bedtime or nap time, he couldn't talk at the time so that was his way of saying, "Mommy I'm tired, help me go to sleep." He would bite if a smaller kid took a toy away from him, he was saying, "Hey I was playing with that give it back," the only way he knew how. So now that he is old enough to understand and communicate with words, he vocalizes (sometimes with a scream of frustration), which is better than biting. But usually he'll tell me in words, because he trusts me to help him.

Another solution submitted by "Bev": I had the same problem with my daughter when she was that age and she would draw blood. What I did was bite her back. Not hard, just to let her see that it doesn't feel good, and she never did it again.

Another solution submitted by Teresa of Ontario, CAN: Sorry, I don't have a solution, but you're not alone. I also have a 19 month old biter. We have tried all the techniques you have with no such luck either. He seems to bite more frequently when he is tired. I am also seeking solutions too, but I can offer you support from a mom with the same trials.

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