[A_NAGEL]

My 2 1/2 is in the stage of biting he bits his little brother all the time.I've tried everything and he won't stop.I've tried yelling,spanking,a finger of lemon juice(not much)and I've also bit back,because he also bites me.Any help on this?
Amber

[J_9]

You need NOT to bite back. If you bite back you tell him that it is okay for you and not for him. These are mixed messages that a 2 1/2 year old does not understand.

When he bites, you need to take him by the hand, kneel down, look at him squarely in the eyes and tell him NO!!

NO, THIS IS BAD, BAD BAD!!

Guide him to his room, or whatever naughty place you have set up, and make him stay there for the duration of the number of minues equivalent to his age.

You also need to watch for any signs that he may be ready to bite, and nip it in the bud before he bites.

Amber, you are the parent here, would you like lemon juice in your mouth (Although, if I had to I would use something other than lemon juice as some kids actually like it)

Yelling, spanking, biting are all mixed signals that he will not understand at this young age.

[persainpapaya]

I agree with most of what J_9 has said, eccept the statement "amber, you are the parent here, would you like lemon juice in your mouth". The only problem with that is that no child LIKES being punished, and as well they shouldn't. So us liking or not liking whatever punishment we give (such as lemon juice in the mouth), is of no consequence. Also, just one addition. I took a parenting class where we were taught to use thumbs up and thumbs down gestures while telling the child if they made a "wrong choice" or a right choice". I found that it worked extremely well in that after a short time of practicing that.. my 20 month old son, would do something wrong, and then I could just ask him "was that a right or wrong choice?" And he would put his little fingers into a thumbs down and let me know he knew it wasn't ok. Also, it is a constant reminder that they themselves are not bad or wrong, but that their choices may be wrong. Not a big deal, I just like the wording. My sister bit me all the time when we were little. My Mom did bite her back and it only took a couple of hard bites (of course not breaking the skin), before she did stop. Unfortunately for you A_NAGEL, it sounds like everything you have tried has not worked thus far. You poor thing! Do try what J_9 has suggested. I think instantly removing him from the situation and placing in a separated area, playpen, ect... certainly couldn't hurt. One other thought... Start very first thing in the morning, and when your son has woken up, before any biting has occurred... give major positive reinforcement. Maybe a special toy jar, m&m jar, any kind of treat he would like. Give him one saying this is because you are such a good boy and you made a right choice (thumbs up) because you aren't using your teeth for biting. Then follow up throughout the day with treats every so often for not biting. He may also need an alternative for biting people. A lot of little ones bite out of anger or frustration. You could designate a "Biting pillow", that is special for him. Hope this helps. I know it's very frustrating. Good luck!