Problem With Sibling Biting, What Should We Do?

We have a serious problem with biting in our household. It started with my 1 year old son. He's not vocal yet, one way he deals with his frustration is to bit. He'll bit anyone if he's upset, especially my 4 year old daughter. They for the most part get along, unless my daughter wants to be alone. When he bothers her, she pushes, then he bites. The problem now is that my daughter is biting him back and it's turning into her biting him whenever she's frustrated. She gets him really good, leaving big welts on him arm. Have any of you experienced this and what will work to prevent this from continuing? Our pediatrician says it's just a phase. Yeah, it's a phase for my son, but my daughter shouldn't be biting anyone at all.

JoKTM2009-12-15T20:01:30Z

Favorite Answer

Your son must have bit your daughter SEVERAL times which is not right. You need to shadow your 1yr old or put him in a playpen, walker or something when you are not able to watch him. Like the previous poster said your daughter is PO'D and she sees life as being fair. Once you get your son to leave her alone the biting will stop all together in your house.

Photo lover :)2009-12-15T18:49:15Z

Well your daughter is noticing that her brother is able to do it, so since her world is supposed to be fair, she sees that she's able to do it as well. I would simply make the punishment more severe to deter them both from biting. If you discipline your son before she can bite him, she wouldn't bother and he'd stop.