Expert: Evelyn Petersen - 6/23/2006

Question
My 21-month-old son has taken to biting family members feet (and sometimes ankles and calves) the last couple of months.  Usually, it's when we are bare or sock footed, but he did bit my shoe once.  We've tried moving our feet, telling him "no bite", "that hurts mommy" etc., and I even tried 1 minute time outs in his crib.  Nothing seems to work.  He's driving us crazy, and worse, I'm afraid he is going to get kicked in the face.  What can I do?

Answer
Dear Stacy
You have been doing all the things I would do, except for the time out.  Children that young do not understand the timeout concept and won't until age 3-5.  You can use a hold very firmly in lap time out with a two having a tantrum until they can relax and breathe normally and then state your rules, etc very simply.

As to the biting, all I can suggest is a firm spank on the rear when you say No, No biting!  Maybe that will make a difference.  A planned spank which is not done in anger is and ok thing when necessary.

Other than that, go online and do a search for infant toddler sites that can share other ideas with you about stopping biting.  Evelyn