What to do with a biting baby?

Babies typically experience irritation and soreness in their gums when they are about to sprout their first teeth. Biting often serves to relieve these sensations, and so babies at this age often tend to try their new teeth on everything—and everyone—they can find.

These are some things you can do to cure your baby’s biting habit:

• Firstly, remember that your baby’s biting habit is only a reaction to the pain and discomfort of teething. Take steps to help your baby cope with the pain. You may consider using special teething pain relievers. Homeopathy also has remedies to help babies who are teething. If these don’t help, consult your pediatrician about using a painkiller such as acetaminophen.
• Let your baby know that biting is not desirable behavior. Use reprimands given in a strict tone of voice to get your message across effectively. Avoid shouting or yelling as this may only serve to scare and confuse your baby.
• Give your baby cold water, juices, or drinks. These will help to relieve your baby’s sore gums.
• Encourage your baby to chew on teething rings. Refrigerating these before giving them to your baby will enhance their capacity to relieve pain.

Do not give your baby ice cubes to chew, as this may carry a risk of choking if your baby tries to swallow them.