From Julie Gafoor, operational manager, Child and Family Services, Family Nursing and Home Care.

AN article published in the JEP on 23 December described the court proceedings in the case of a mother who has drug misuse problems and had neglected her children.

The article described an incident when the mother had bitten her two-year-old child. The mother claimed that this had been on the advice of her health visitor.

I would like to make it clear that in no circumstances would a health visitor give such advice.

The health visitor would tell any parent asking for advice about their child’s biting behaviour that it is not uncommon among young children and that the reasons why children bite other people differ from child to child.

It is quite natural for children around one year of age to bite their parents or anyone else who happens to be within reach. Most often in this age group, children bite to reduce the pressure on their sensitive gums due to teething.

True biting, not due to teething, can become a problem with children between 18 and 30 months of age. Children at this age are often unaware of the pain that biting causes to other children and to adults.

Although it is common for children to bite others while playing, this type of behaviour
warrants immediate action. Not only is biting extremely painful for children who are bitten, but it often leads to more fighting within the play group. Biters also run the risk of becoming unpopular with their playmates.

Young children often bite in response to frustration, anger, or excitement. Thus, it is important for parents and carers to be aware of what situations lead to biting behaviours. Such knowledge may help parents better understand the causes of biting behaviour.

Biting is not something that has to be endured until children are old enough to ‘know better’. There are many steps that can be taken to both prevent and solve biting problems on which we are glad to give advice.