He’s never done anything like this at home, and I don’t know what’s going on. I wonder if maybe he’s stressed or if he’s having trouble expressing something he feels, but I don’t know how to help him. It breaks my heart because I know he doesn’t do it out of malice, but I also don’t want the other children to be afraid of him or label him wrong
I totally get this! my lo went through a biting phase last year, and I felt like the worst mom ever. It’s so hard because you know your kid is good at heart, but other people might not see that. I kept telling myself it’s just a phase (and it was), but it’s so stressful when you’re in it. You’re not alone in this!
Hey Sofia, I’ve been there too. My oldest started biting around 3, and it was definitely tied to not knowing how to express big feelings. The daycare helped us by redirecting her and teaching her words like “I’m mad” or “I need space.” We also practiced at home with role-playing, like showing her how to use words instead of biting when she was upset. It took a few weeks, but it made a huge difference. Maybe ask the teacher if they have strategies they use in the moment? Also, don’t beat yourself up, it’s such a common thing at this age
I know it feels like a huge deal right now, but trust me, this is just a phase. I’ve seen it with both my kids. It’s often their way of saying, “I need help with something, but I don’t know how.” With patience and guidance, it’ll pass. You’re doing great by even being concerned and looking for answers!
OMG, my second kid was a biter too! It came out of nowhere, and I was mortified when the daycare called. It turned out he was super frustrated because another kid kept taking his toys, and he didn’t know how to handle it. We worked on giving him simple phrases like “Stop” or “That’s mine.” We also gave him a teething ring to bite when he felt the urge. Weirdly enough, making sure he was getting enough sleep and food helped too. Sometimes kids act out more when they’re overtired or hungry. You’re not alone in this, it’s way more common than people talk about
This makes me wonder, is he maybe feeling overwhelmed at daycare? Like too much stimulation or not enough attention? My LO sometimes gets extra clingy when things feel too chaotic. Do you think something might be triggering him, or has the daycare mentioned anything specific?
Hey, just jumping in with a few ideas that worked for us. First, we gave our little one a safe outlet for biting, a chewy necklace. It was like magic. Second, we made sure to talk to her about feelings in simple terms, like saying, “Are you mad? It’s okay to feel mad, but we don’t bite.” Lastly, consistency is key. If the daycare and home are both on the same page with how they handle it, he’ll learn faster. Maybe ask the teacher if you can all work on a plan together? You’ve got this!
Thank you all so much for your suggestions and support. It’s such a relief to hear that this isn’t as uncommon as I thought. I’m definitely going to ask the daycare about triggers and see if we can create a plan together. I’m also going to look into the teething necklace idea, I hadn’t thought of that!