Biting causes more upset feelings than any other behavior in child care. However, we know that biting is a typical part of development that many infants and toddlers go through. SO, WHY DO INFANTS AND TODDLERS BITE AND WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT IT AS PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS? From birth, babies are learning through their senses and by putting everything in their mouth. Learning about other people is no exception. In addition, infants from about 6 months on get a new tooth every couple of months and teething does not stop for toddlers until around age two. Because of this, infants and toddlers have a lot of teething pain, plus they lack language to tell you “Hey! My mouth hurts!” This can be frustrating for our children to go through. Learning by putting everything in their mouth, teething, lacking language and social skills creates a recipe for a biting disaster. Knowing why infants and toddlers bite doesn’t always make it less frustrating, and regrettably, there is no magic wand. Ho
Family Voices Indiana is a family-led organization that provides information, education, training, outreach, and peer support to families of children and youth with special health care needs and the professionals who serve them.