by Bethany Harvey

Created on: July 24, 2011   Last Updated: July 25, 2011

At one time or another every parent has a toddler that bites. Some bite regularly and some toddlers bite once and that is the end of things.  Why toddlers bite themselves, family members and other children is a good question. Two out of my three children were biters as toddlers. One child would have never thought of such a thing. I am in the process of bringing all three up and they puzzle me every day.

First lets talk about personality. Some toddlers are meek and mild. Some are wild from the womb.  Regardless of what type of toddler you have all are capable of biting. They have teeth and know how to use them from babyhood.  You may think your wild toddler..your little tornado who never listens and dances to his own tune is the biter.  Or will develop the biting thing. Not always so. Biting is an issue not related to personality at all.  So rest assured.  All your children will be biters...or none of them or just one or two. A parent cannot predict a biter but a parent can prevent a biter from being a danger to himself or others.

Secondly, we need to discuss health. This article in not talking about a child with a disability or a fetish for biting. Special needs children are another  category altogether and I am going to assume that your child has no other issues except for being an average toddler who understands "No" and can communicate with the adult in charge. Some children with special needs are biters and cannot help biting. In that case you needs to seek professional help.

There are a lot of reason why a toddler bites. One of them is boredom. If your child is bored they are going to try and entertain themselves. Using their teeth is one way that they can do that. They may try biting their toys, hard objects, soft objects and finally Mom or Dad just to see what it feels like. Your toddler may not think this through but just have the impulse to bite. If your toddler bites for the first time lightly and gently boredom may be the case. Keeping a toddler busy with their bodies as well as their hands is a job but well worth it to keep the biting to a minimum.

Anger and frustration is another reason your toddler may bite. Not getting their own way. Mom and dad too busy to play or puts off the toddler when they want your attention may merit a bite from your little cherub. Toddlers don't have a large vocabulary yet to express themselves and out of anger and frustration may bite. This may happen once but if your toddler gets

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