[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,

[mrsred]

You are paying far too much attention to the behavior. He is getting quite the payoff: 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

When he bites, scratches, pulls hair, etc. try just saying No, we don't do that, and removing him. By now he knows you love him. What he doesn't know is that what he is doing is unacceptable behavior.

[atouchofheaven]

i agree. a quick move from your lap to the floor and walk away (not far of course) or turn your head away should give him the message that you don't like that and it doesn't get him any attention. of course, after a minute, continue with whatever activity you were in before.

[athikers]

Having a 14 mo (11 mo developmentally) and a 12 mo at home... I would say this is much more NORMAL than I ever imagined. Both of my babies pull my hair constantly. Not maliciously, it is there and it is easy to hold on to. Yes, it sometimes hurts, but I don't even address that behavior. I remove their little hands when I need to. My 12 mo bites my shoulder. I don't believe she even KNOWS what she's doing. My shoulder is there, she is very oral... so she bites. She's got 8 teeth and they are SHARP so this hurts. I usually try NOT to react at all. If I do reaact I simply say, ouch, that hurts when you bite mommy and move her so she can't do it again.

Like I said, I think these things are fairly normal for a 12 month old. Either that or my kids are both weird (which I supposed is entirely possible!)

[lyssie]

I think what youare describing is differetn than what athikers is experiencing. I would try the no attention and see how that works....I hope you are hanging in there!!!!