DS bit DD - advice?

loregopar

DS (16 mo) was biting me a couple of months ago, but stopped after a couple of weeks. Now he's doing it again, especially when I'm BFing DD (18 days old). I do the same thing, tell him we don't bite people and push him away, though it's harder while feeding DD and he thinks it"s hilarious.

 Today I was on the phone with a friend seeing if she and her DD wanted to come play with DS,and he bit me. I stopped him, but he bit DD's foot (I was BFing her). I hung up the phone and checked DD (DS really bites hard, she's fine though) but didn't really know what to do with DS other than tell him not to bite his sister and point out that he made her cry. But he's only 16 mo, not sure he understood what happened.

 I don't know how to deal with it in the future. Any suggestions??

TIA

loregopar

I should add he's usually very gentle with her. I think he just doesn't realize biting is not funny.

kcisthebombdotcom

When DS was rough with DD, I would ignore DS, pick up DD and give her a lot of attention. DS quickly learned that it wasnt fun to grab his sister hard.

We also taught him "nice" and praised him a ton when he did it. Although he pets DD on the head like she's a dog, it got the job done. 

CatO

I had this same problem.  My DD1 would bite DD2 whenever she felt like she wasn't getting enough attention. She would bite me too.  I tried everything under the sun (within reason...I do not believe in spanking, etc.)...NOTHING worked.  Finally I would just ignore her when she did it and pick up DD2 and play with her.  Eventually she stopped because I think she eventually realized that biting would not get my attention.  It went on for about three months though and it was incredibly difficult.  Like your son, my DD1 was/is a very gentle and loving toddler.  I believe it is age and having to share attention.  She didn't start biting when DD2 first came, but she was only 12 months.  It was actually around the 16 month mark that it started.  I know this was not much help in the "what to do" category, but there are other fams in your boat! Hang in there...it only gets better!!

roundtheworldgirl

DD1 (then 19.5 months) did this to DD2 (then 7 months) about a month ago.  She bit her HARD and the baby SCREAMED.  I know some don't agree with this, but I swatted her on the hand (which I do when it's really important she learns a lesson, like not touching the stove) and put her in time-out for a minute.  Then I took her out and hugged her and explained that we don't bite.  Hasn't done it since.

CaitlinJ22

DS was a hitter starting at about 15 months until about 18 months. I think its the age too. I would try time out. I started it around that age. I would keep holding DD (if you put her down, then he gets what he wants) and grab his hand and walk him to a corner. Keep it the same corner every time. Tell him he is in timeout for biting and we don't do that. Then give DD attention and say, oh are you ok? give her kisses etc, then give him out after a minute. Tell him to give DD kisses and say sorry (or something like it). Be consistent. When he does treat her nice, praise him a lot, and make sure you give him alone time when she is sleeping. 

You'll get through it.