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CHILD GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT * 1 HOURS * LEVEL 2

Ouch! Infant and Toddler Biting

Why do Children Bite?

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The act of biting another is often seen as aggressive or violent behavior, but is rarely ill-intentioned when inflicted by an infant or toddler. Infants and toddlers do not possess the self-control and expression to communicate their feelings or responses, therefore they often bite. Children may begin biting at a very young age and continue throughout toddlerhood. Typically normal biting behavior subsides by age three, but while it exists it can be challenging and worrisome. 
Some reasons infants and toddlers bite:
  • To relieve pain from teething
  • To satisfy oral-motor needs
  • To gain control in a situation
  • As a means of expression or communication
  • To explore cause and effect
  • To gain a reaction from the person being bitten
  • To communicate hunger or fatigue
  • To imitate others

Infants

​Infants may bite because they are exploring the world around them and are using all five senses to learn about things. An infant may bite a caregiver’s shoulder as a simple test to see what may occur. If this happens, it is important to stay calm and not overreact to the situation. 

Toddlers

​Toddlers often bite as a result of very strong feelings that they are learning to work through. Often fear, frustration, anger, or sadness can cause a toddler to bite somebody. A toddler may bite a playmate who takes a favorite toy without warning. He or she may also bite without any obvious reasons. This can also be due to poor impulse control or a simple experiment.

Preschoolers

​Biting usually subsides by preschool age, but it is not uncommon for a preschooler who is experiencing stress or extreme anger to bite their caregiver or peers. If a preschooler is biting it may be as an act of self-defense or out of extreme emotions.

It is important to note that biting behavior is usually NOT the fault of the parents or caregivers.  We will explore some things that caregivers can do to cope with biting.