My weird child

Stewartandmaura · May 2013

I have been trying to teach E that there is a baby in my belly. Every time I rub my belly and tell her that there her baby brother is in there, she tries to bite my belly.

I have no clue what to do about it. Is this a sign of aggression towards the new baby? Or am I reading way too much into this?

thetheisens · May 2013

You're rading too much into it. It's a pretty hard concept for them to get at this age. Maybe she thinks "baby in the belly" has something to do with food or eating. C knows that food goes in his belly when he eats, so he has tried to shove food into his belly button. Has she been around any reall babies? I think her seeing you holding another baby and seeing how she reacts would be better gauge.

Stewartandmaura · May 2013

She's been super jealous lately.

If I pet the dogs, she comes up and hits them. If I hug DH, she tries to get in between us. Is this typical 19 mo behavior?

thetheisens · May 2013

Yes, I think it is just typical behavior. I think because they are still having a hard time communicating their feelings it can be frustrating for them. We are working through hitting and jealousy right now too. Hitting others has gotten better, but now he hits himself instead when he is frustrated.

LatteLady5 · May 2013

Stewartandmaura:
She's been super jealous lately.
If I pet the dogs, she comes up and hits them. If I hug DH, she tries to get in between us. Is this typical 19 mo behavior?

LOL at your OP. I don't think biting at your belly is a sign of aggression or anything.

As far as hitting the dogs, do you address it? If N hits the dog she gets a reminder to give gentle touches. If she does it again she gets a warning and after that she goes into timeout. She's is simply not allowed to hit the dog, or her toys and dolls either actually. I think the jealousy thing and hitting is totally normal but that doesn't necessarily mean you shouldn't correct it, ya know?

I agree with thetheisens that maybe holding another baby would be a better gauge of what to expect when your next LO gets here.

Stewartandmaura · May 2013

Yes, we correct her when she hits anything and teach her to be gentle.

I'll take her hand and tell her "no hitting, be gentle", and then show her how to be gentle. I hope I am doing the right thing?

Tysons- I really hope her biting my belly is just confusion about food going in the belly and you bite food. The only other time I've seen her bite (2x now) is in frustration. (Oh, and sometimes she bites her own wrist. I think she does this when her teeth hurt.)

thetheisens · May 2013

That is what I do to correct C. It has helped, but it takes time and patience. Maybe you could try having her around a baby to help her transition? Don't stress too much, I'm sure she will do fine as a big sister!

HappyAardvark · May 2013

Wes tries to kiss me by biting my face. It's definitely not aggression. They are just learning and trying to understand. To most toddlers, bellies are where food goes. You eat food by biting it. It's kind of like having a window to the inside of their little brains LOL

cantalopes24 · May 2013

HappyAardvark:
Wes tries to kiss me by biting my face. It's definitely not aggression. They are just learning and trying to understand. To most toddlers, bellies are where food goes. You eat food by biting it. It's kind of like having a window to the inside of their little brains LOL

This. Lo gets teethy with kisses sometimes. E was 4 when I was pregnant with Lo and told people I ate a baby and that was why I was so fat lol. I think your toddler is just confused.

wilsontl19191 · May 2013

I have been lifting up my shirt to show P my belly and saying "baby" and he pulls it down and walks away. Lol

lisamonkee11 · May 2013

Em has started to really understand but this is after months of her poking, jabbing and smacking my belly when I told her about the baby in there.
Now if I ask her where her sister is she will point to my belly, say "baby sis" and either gently pat it or even give hugs or kisses.
Like others said, just be patient and correct when needed.

pennysuedog · May 2013

When I was PG with Audrey, Oliver was 4. One day we had a fire going in the fireplace. Oliver said he was going to throw the baby in the fire. Indifferent

Turns out he was full of sh!t. He loves her. I wouldn't worry!

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