[dogsneaker]

DD also smacks, scratches and pinches. Yesterday she bit her brother twice, once on the hand and later DS told me DD bit him on his lip

She just bit me on the thigh. She's not broken skin but have left bruises on me.

Whenever she acts out, I put her on the floor and tell her 'no' and walk away. It doesnt seem to be working. She's a very bright child and is (mostly) pre-verbal but says, Mama, Dada, Boo (Milk)... she also says 'Iwantthat' and 'youhavethat' and 'thankyou' etc. I assume she is frustrated by her inability to clearly communicate what she wants which is fine for her age but what should I do about DS and I being beaten up everyday?

She thinks it's funny when I pretend to be sad when ever she hurts me.

(DS was a biter too but he was about 18-20 months when he started and it was easier to reason with him).

[mum201]

Mine is 3 months younger than yours and pinches and slaps. Do you think they are actually trying to hurt at that age? I just redirect him because he doesn't seem to be doing it to hurt, and doesn't understand what I am saying anyway.

[Guest_- Poppy -_*]

My DS started doing this at around the same age - I just wanted to cry!
He drew blood one day.

He grew out of it thank god.

[dogsneaker]

mum201 I'm quite certain she understands that it hurts. it certainly gets a reaction.

[Princess.cranky....]

DD3 started biting and hair pulling at 13 months. It's still going on (but not as bad) at 2.2 years.

They do it out of frustration. And I think sometimes because they get a reaction.

DD3 bites out of frustration. It's usually happens when DD2 has something DD wants or has taken something from her.

About the only thing you can do is distraction. We say 'we do not hurt people' and remove DD. This is usually enough because she doesn't want to be taken away.

At 14 months they are so young. You just have to keep enforcing no biting and wait till they grow out of it. Don't react by being sad because that's just making a game out of it. Just say 'we do not hurt each other' and walk away.

Do you think they are actually trying to hurt at that age?

No. It's out of frustration or they are doing it to get the reaction. I know DD dose not bite to deliberately hurt her sisters. It's her way of showing her frustration. I don't think they understand the concept of hurting someone at 14 months.

[Jenflea]

I don't think they have the empathy to understand that they hurt you. Yes you reacted, but they don't understand pain in relation to another person at a young age.

[libbylu]

My DS went through several stages of hurting me in various ways, starting with hair pulling (and refusing to let go) at about 14 months, followed by slapping in the face soon after.
I don't think giving a reaction like saying 'ow' or yelling or looking sad is a good idea as the reaction will just reinforce the behaviour. Try to keep a flat face, say 'no' and walk away and give your attention to something else. Also encourage gentle behaviour like stroking and kissing with lots of praise and fuss. All of this may not make a huge difference but she will grow out of it after a few months.
You usually hear of boys behaving like this so it is kind of good to hear that it happens with girls too. I was lamenting not ever having a nice gentle girl baby, but posts like this remind me that girl babies aren't always gentle little angels!

[What'sNext??]

My DS is only 9 months but bites frequently on purpose. If I am holding him but engaged in conversation with someone he often bites me on the shoulder. If I talk to someone whilst I am breastfeeding he will bite me. has drawn blood once. If his sister is in his way he will bite her. He laughs when he is told off- it's the attention he is after and he has no concept yet of negative attention. The only time I had a different reaction was when he bit me so hard I shrieked and put him straight on the floor with a growly "no". He cried then. But still bites. I don't remember any of the others biting. I'm hoping its a phase that won't last much longer!

[Jenflea]

I know this is considered a big no no now days, but my brother was a biter (me usually, on the head) and one day mum GENTLY bit him(basically put her open mouth on his head I think) and he never did it again.