[BeverlyZ]

Hi,

My son is home for just over 3 months, and he is 12.5 months old. He always bit me and pulled my hair, but the past two weeks have been worse than usual. I can't figure out what is triggering it, but I wonder if my reaction is causing him to do it more. I am getting increasingly irritated with this behavior, and I sometimes cry out. I definitely pull him off of me and hold him momentarily at arms length. After that, I am sitting him down in front of me and stroking my face and his face with his hands saying "be gentle" (or putting my fingertip on his bottom teeth and saying "no biting, kisses only," then kissing him).

He is usually quite affectionate, but we noticed his behavior is turning into a lot of "over attaching" with me. It's so misleading to me sometimes when he runs to me, throws his arms around my neck, then bites me on the cheek, lip, arm or shoulder. He's broken the skin several times and bruised me, too.

Any suggestions to curb this behavior before I totally go out of my mind? If it is just what I have to deal with until he heals from this transition, please tell me that, too. I figure a little perspective will go a long way to loan me some patience for awhile.

Thanks,