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Health Tip: Is Your Child a Biter?

Last Updated: 2012-Oct-19  ::  (HealthDay)

(HealthDay News) -- Biting is a common behavior in toddlers, who may be easily frustrated.

The Nemours Foundation offers these suggestions to help curb biting among toddlers:

  • First, give attention and comfort to the person who has been bitten.
  • Calmly and firmly address the biter with simple language, such as "no biting" or "biting hurts."
  • Talk to the child about alternatives to biting, such as using words like "stop" or "no."
  • Redirect a frustrated toddler with positive ways to burn off energy, such as by playing a game or dancing to music.
  • Put the child in a timeout; one minute per year of age is a good benchmark.
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Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.