Hello!

My son is almost 10 months old and is bad for biting,pulling hair and sqweeling so ear piercing it scares the crap out of me. Sometimes i cant help but react with a loud no and its not working. Im trying to not say no and tell him i dont like that and i praise him wen he doesnt do it. But hes 10 months almost, does he understand


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  • It’s part of childrens development. When my child went through this it didn’t last long. I would say oww that hurts or oww I don’t like when you do that and move away, every single time.


  • Keep being firm and say no and give no more attention if the behaviour continues. Its hard but we have all been there.


  • *Be firm, clear and consistent with your expectations.
    *Be patient, behavior changes take time.
    * Distract and Redirect; Find another way to occupy your child’s hands. Suggest he touch his own body or clothes instead of yours. Show him how he can rub your arm rather than pinch it. Try holding hands, tickling/kissing/blowing on his hand, playing finger games, counting fingers, having him point to different things, clapping, etc.
    Give your child something to hold and play with (a small toy, blanket, etc.). If your child isn’t interested in the first thing you try, try different sizes and textures (hard, soft, textured, silky). If your child wants to play with your hair, or your nose, or whatever, then try to find something of a similar texture or size that might serve as a reasonable substitute.
    Talk, read a book or tell a story to your child. Songs or finger plays can also be fun.
    *Gently discourage unwanted behavior. You can make clear what you expect and use a firm voice, but not so firm that you scare your child. For example when your child bites you, you can say: “auw, you hurt mummy when you bite” put him down and walk away whilst giving him a toy.


  • With the biting as soon as he lets go tell him “no. no biting” and the same method with hair pulling. Be aware that he might decide to start kicking too. My nephew persisted with the kicking but he was older than your son. The only way they found to stop him was to tell him no etc then sit him in a safe spot but that he could still see them and they could keep an eye on him. If he got up before he was supposed to they put him back. They had a mat they sat him on and always used the same place. Don’t let him play or fiddle with anything during that time When he is older you can ask him why he was put there and teach him to apologise e.g. “I am sorry for……….” You will have to tell him quite a few times as he is so young. I’ve haven’t known of a baby that has deliberately started biting that young. I have seen it be successful with a few children but it doesn’t work with all of them. Each person is and individual so you may have to try a few methods. I know of an much older child who her parents have tried everything they can think of, including taking books that she loves. She is certainly given enough food at meals but if she gets the opportunity she will steal food. She tries to hide the evidence but her parents search rooms, bins etc if they are suspicious. She even gets up during the night when everybody is asleep.


  • I would continue with a stern “no” and try not to give him too much attention after that. It might be the attention that he’s seeking. I think you’re doing the right things.


  • He started the sqweeling when he first noticed he could hear himself through the baby monitor when i hadnt turned it off straight away. So the echo part is what he wants to head


  • It is very hard .. my little one just laughs at me when I be stern with her and say no. I get more response out of saying “uh uh” then diverting her attention .. most days it works .. and the squealing does stop… eventually! mine went for about 4 weeks and mainly in areas where it echos.. very embarrassing but distracting her with learning games helped a lot!


  • Kids need boundaries. Even at ten months old. Use the word no whenever you need to.


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