How to stop DD from biting/rough play?

Mstalls16

DD is 9 months old. I don't know if it's too young for her to understand, but when she tries to kiss me (adorable by the way), she sometimes ends up biting my cheek as well. She's also really rough with things, like she'll grab my hair, or lip and really pull (she's unbelievably strong too, it hurts!). When she's with other babies, I have to watch her like a hawk, because she'll crawl right over, and tries to knock them down and pull at their hair/bows/etc.

Now, when she does this, I say NO firmly and remove her from the situation. Or I'll try to pat something and say 'Gentle'. She's still really rough though, is 9 months just too young for her to understand?

thomas&lynn

I'm not certain that a 9mo old would understand but maybe? I know my 7mo old doesn't and so when she's hurtful, I still say 'gentle, baby' in a very calm and gentle voice. sometimes i elaborate, like 'gentle, alaina, mommy's hair is not for pulling'.

one time she 'fish hooked' me (i.e. thumb hooked into my cheek, rest of fingers gripped around the outside of the side of my face) and i couldn't find the words to elaborate so that time i just stuck with 'gentle, baby' lol