How to deal with hitting, biting, and separation anxiety

Karenin

So my 10 month old is a really happy easy baby, but we are running into a few issues:

 1. Sometimes when cuddling he wants to chew on our clothes and accidentally bites us- how do you teach a 10 month old that is bad?

2. He also likes to hit at toys with a flat hand and sometimes he does this to us- even our faces. He acts like this is fun and friendly. We respond by putting his arms at his sides and saying sternly "no hitting" and then waiting a few seconds before returning to normal behavior, but he just laughs at us! How do we curtail this?

3. Our son loves other people, but over the past week he has gotten very clingy, mostly with me, but also a bit with DH and with the nanny when we are ar work. He gets very upset when he is put down- not just for sleep but just on the ground for playing. He also cried when I leave. I do NOT want to coddle him but I don't want to be too harsh- how best to handle this?

TIA!

PunkyBooster

1. He's probably teething. And with that comes the desire to test those new chompers out. I would redirect before scolding him. Of course, if he really chomps down, say, "no biting." and redirect to a teether.

2. Keep it up. This is just a phase. I promise it will pass soon!  You can also try just getting up and walking away.

3. Very normal- SA really settles in about this time. There are some really helpful links out there on google if you search. I always say good bye to DS so he doesn't get caught by surprise when he realizes I'm not in the room. I also tell him that I'll be back soon, but (nanny) is here to play, the dog is here with him, it's okay, and leave. Usually it's a very short fit and he is easily distracted by an invitation to play a new game. 

 

christyjane17

1-biting.  I just look him in the eye and say "no biting".  I am stern, but not harsh. I figure he'll get it eventually.  Once he's closer to a year and he does it and laughs about it or indicates he is doing it to get a reaction I may pop his hand lightly and say "no biting".  

2-DS does this too.  I haven't seen an issue with it yet because it's like he's exploring our faces or trying to clap.  Hitting is not an issue with me unless he does it out of anger or for a reaction.  I say ignore it. 

3- I put DS down and go do whatever I need to do.  He either crawls over to me and clings at my leg or cries until he finds a toy to play with.  As long as you are giving your LO lots of good attention it's alright for them to know that you are busy sometimes and they can deal.  I think it's good to deal with it at this age. 

MKL08

I don't have any issues with hitting or separation anxiety but I have bruises all over my body from my son biting me.  I try pulling him away and sternly saying "no bite" and touch his mouth but he laughs at me, too.  My husbands family thinks I am a "bad mom" for doing that but I feel like he needs to learn and it hurts a lot!  Looking for answers for this, too.

clo1982

1/2. I am dealing with this too and handle it somewhat like you do for hitting. If we are playing and having fun and she bites or hits, I get a serious look on my face and say no hitting/biting, then wait a few moments before returning to play. She also is smiling and having fun when she does it but now that she has teeth, it hurts! She usually stops what ever she is doing and looks at me real serious. Honestly it's hard not to laugh when she gets that real serious look on her face. I know she has no idea what's going on but definitely knows the mood has changed.

3. My DD gets very clingy like this when she is about to get a tooth. no idea what the connection is but before one pops through she does not want to be put down. She will even play with her toys on my lap but if I set her down right next to me,s he will start crying and reach up to me to be held. Once it pops through she goes back to normal.