Parents: If your toddler bit you and head-banged you, what would/did you do in response?

A combination of what you and your husband are doing would be worth a shot. As soon as he bites or bangs his head on yours, tell him NO firmly, and take him to his crib or playpen for 3 minutes or so. Then take him out and hug him, let him know you still love him but that he isn't allowed to act that way. If he does it again, repeat the process. It may take awhile, but if he's anything like my son, time out is the WORST thing in the world - especially because it sounds like he likes to be the center of attention.

Good luck!

ADD: Reflecting on my answer, you may want to establish a time-out zone that isn't in the crib. My sister used the crib as time-out with my niece, and she began to cry and throw a fit every time she was put in there for naps or bedtime, because it became associated with being in trouble. I use a playpen for time-outs, but not for bed. Just something to consider!

If you put him in his crib as punishment he might not want to use it at night time. Try to use positive discipline, every good thing he does make a big deal out of it, all the negative behavior try to ignore. Does he miss his older step-brothers?) or did something happen on that visit?, do they play rough with him? Make sure the next visit he is supervised and his brothers are good role models. I really don't know what happened. When he bites say biting hurts and put him in a quiet area, talk to him and read him the book teeth are not for biting, Don't give him the opportunity to head bang you, always be on guard until this behavior stops, do the same consistent discipline in a quiet area when he is calm then remind him simply heads are not for banging... If you are consistent and it can take a day, a week, a month or more but he will he does not get attention for this behavior. Be patience, positive and loving. he also might be getting his molars in so give him a teething ring or cold wet wash cloth to teeth on. You seem to know what you are doing but are getting frustrated. At 16 months this is age-appropriate and you will all be fine. Also get a reliable, experience, trustworthy babysitter one night a week and go on a date with our husband, or go to a spa and get a massage. Good Luck to you all

I worked at a residential rehab center and we had some behavior problem kids. The general consensus was to ignore bad behavior and reward good behavior.

I applied this to my grandson and it seemed to work pretty good. He bit me once and it really hurt and I hollered at him. I felt bad later about that later. I then began making sure he never got a chance, and always distracted him to good play. He is almost four now and is doing good. As long as he is not overtired. When he is overtired I don't know anything that's worthwhile doing except to encourage him to nap or go to bed depending on what time of day it is.

It is very common behavior and usually outgrown. Children love attention and will opt for negative attention as well as positive attention. You must not respond to the negative attention because that, to him/her is just as good as positive attention. Make sure he has plenty of opportunity to get positive attention. Praise him whenever he is good even when he is just sitting good or playing by himself.

I always used AD speech and never ID speech from six months on. AD = Adult Directed as if you were talking to another adult. ID = infant directed speech better known as baby talk. I saw a program on tv (child developement) and they said that encourages grown up behavior.

Good luck to you and your little one.

I just read the rest of your question. He did most of his head banging in the high chair and I would put my hand behind his head if it seemed as if it were going to be a short session. If I couldn't do that I folded up a towel and put that there and then get him a toy to play with. That always seemed to work ok and the head banging went away. He has a little sister doing the same thing but all you have to do with her is give her some finger food. Boy does she like to eat.

I used to keep the stroller in the house and put my grandson in that. Take him with me and when I was emptying the dish washer show him all the items, name them and show him how I put things away. Let him hold things that were safe.

Hold a glass upside down and tap it like a bell...he loved that.

Also we had one of those hang up Johnny Jump seats and he loved that and was safe in it. The crib is a safe place also and I used that a little but he really liked being with me. And he was interested in everything in the house.

Our everyday artifacts are pretty boring to us but a small child seems fascinated by everything. You should have seen us in the produce section of the local grocery store. I showed him just about everything in the store and when he was a little over two, I would pretend I didn't know where something was and he would lead me to it. It's amazing, he seemed to remember everything I showed him even before he could talk.

I have had many episodes something like yours with my 2yr old daughter.I bought a time out rug and placed in a special spot in the house and every time she did this behavior I had her sit on that rug.Even though she didn't sit still on it for very long and I had to keep putting her back on it she eventually got the point in the long run.Also I think maybe you should have a talk with her step bros about there behavior when the baby is around.

Your hubby is right. Tell your son " I know you are mad... you need time to calm down. Put him in his crib, and leave the room for 3-5 minutes. It's important that this not be a punishment, but breathing space. Leave him his toys. In just a few weeks, you will be able to ask him, "do you need crib time?" and control his behavior with that.

He needs to learn that this behavior is NOT acceptable. A 'time out' in the crib sounds perfectly reasonable. You can talk to him about and comfort him after he cams down. You can't reason with an angry child, just as it's difficult to reason with an angry adult. Sounds like you also need to talk to the steps and let them know that it is NOT acceptable for them to act this way around the baby, as babies don't know right from wrong and will mimic any behavior they see. The baby looks up to them and learns from them. Have a long sit down talk with ANYONE who is in the presence of your child long enough to influence his/her behavior. Trust me- kids see and hear EVERYTHING that goes on, whether you realize it or not.

Good luck.....

i don't think of what your brother is doing is that undesirable. now and returned young ones get sensible to the actuality their mothers and dads come working each and each time they harm themselves and that they make it right into a larger deal than it extremely is for interest. My friends daughter does this and my sister as a toddler used to deliberatly harm herself for interest. I unquestionably have a 2 a million/2 365 days outdated and particularly a number of the time whilst he hurts himself I tell him it is not that undesirable and brush it off too. besides the indisputable fact that if i've got seen it extremely is a bad twist of destiny or he's crying like he's unquestionably harm himself then i'm going to provide him a cuddle. usually you may tell how undesirable it extremely is via their cry besides.

Well, if you ignore a child's outbursts like you have suggested, they'll -usually- stop after a certain amount of time. I think that thats the best route to take, but I have no experience in the matter. :)

Good luck.

Spank his rear a couple of times, put him to his room.. you dont' reason with a 16month old toddler. He might do himself harm let alone you.. good grief!

I bit my daughter back and she never bit me again. And just ignore the head banging.