Q. My live-in 2-year-old grandson started biting people, usually for no reason, about six months ago. We're not talking about love bites, either. On several occasions, he's drawn blood. As a consequence, his two aunts won't let their children near him. The other day, we were walking and I was holding his hand. I suddenly felt his sharp little teeth sink into my wrist. He recently drew blood from an 8-month-old baby his mother was tending. I put him in a few minutes of time out every time he bites someone, but it's obviously not working. Should I spank him?

A. It's not at all unusual for toddlers to bite. In any playgroup of five or more children this age, it's a good bet that one will be, or become, a biter. In and of itself, this is not abnormal, nor is it an indication of something "wrong" with the child or his/her family situation. Biting is a primitive response to frustration, and toddlers are primitive. They tend to be self-centered, territorial, instant-gratification oriented and aggressive, even violent.

You can't begin to do much about this until a child is into his/her third year of life, when discipline needs to begin in earnest, and only powerful, consistent discipline will turn a savage into a relatively civil human being by the child's third birthday. Why are so many of today's 3-year-olds still acting like toddlers? Because their well-intentioned parents/caretakers employ discipline that isn't powerful enough to turn the trick, that's why.

In that regard, let me assure you that a few minutes in a chair is the equivalent of trying to fend off a charging elephant with a fly swatter. Your grandson might outgrow this, but I wouldn't want to take the risk. Daycare directors tell many stories of 4- and 5-year-olds who are still biting, and by that age the problem is far more difficult to solve, believe me.

You cannot talk a toddler out of biting. You must respond, immediately, and such that he is persuaded not to bite — ever again, preferably. I actually have no problem with a combination of spanking and time out. Applied with mild to moderate force and followed with a relatively long period of time out (five to 10 minutes for this age child), spanking might work.

Research done by psychologist Robert Larzelere, among others, provides strong evidence that discipline involving a combination of mild to moderate spankings and time out is very effective with this age child. When he is released from the chair or other confinement (a small room with a gate, for example), you should have him say "I'm sorry" to his victim and kiss or rub the "boo-boo." If you don't feel comfortable with spanking, then extend the time out to at least five minutes; longer if he will sit.

John Rosemond is a family psychologist. Reach him at Affirmative Parenting, 1020 East 86th St., Suite 26B, Indianapolis, IN 46240 and at www.rosemond.com.