My scratching 7 month old... WWYD?

jaymiegerard

Hi,  I'm new on the attachment parenting board, and I have a question.

My 7 month old is constantly scratching us...hard!  I know he's just trying to interact, but it's painful.  What I've been doing is saying "gentle" and modeling a gentle touch, but he isn't getting it.  If I scream in pain, he thinks it's funny.  This morning when he scratched me I fake cried until I he could tell something was wrong, and then I explained to him that when he scratches me it hurts (I know, a bit advanced, but I had to try something different).

I realize this may just be a phase (hopefully!), and I'm still going to demo and say gentle when he does it, even if I also try something new.

But am I missing something?  Would you say "no" even though babies at 7 months can't understand what "no" means?  Any thoughts or advice is welcome.
Thanks!

pixieprincss

We use positive phrasing rather than, "no", for the very reason you mention, but it sounds like the key at this age and stage is prevention. Can you keep his nails very short (like just below the finger tip)? My  DS scratches on accident--he thinks he's being gentle, but when he has a longerp nail it just plain hurts. I find that biting his nails allows me to get them shorter than I'd dare with clipping. You can also file them low. His nails are very soft and it is easy to do when reading a book, nursing, or when he's going to sleep. I usually quickly just do one at the time so it isn't too distracting for him.

 

FrauElyse

We're having a similar issue.  My 7mo thinks it's awesome to slap things...including DH and I's faces.  We have to keep his nails super-short too because he also likes to grab.  We've been trying to redirect him while telling him "Slapping hurts, be gentle" (even though I know he doesn't get it yet)...but I have to admit, sometimes I do just say no and shake my head...especially when he's refusing to stop.  Generally though, I think they thing that's been helping most with us is giving him something else to slap.  I'll give him his lovey or when we go to water aerobics, he slaps the water.  

jaymiegerard

Yeah, I keep his nails short or else I'd be all cut up!  I found that if I give him my whole head to grab, he doesn't scratch it, but he does pull my hair... sigh.  Things will (hopefully) be easier when he gets older!