Hitting

TheGreatBeyond · October 2014

So DD has started hitting, grabbing, and scratching my face pretty regularly. I tried holding the hand she was hitting me with and saying no but then she just hits me with her other hand. When I hold both hands and tell her no then she just laughs.

So this morning I started saying no more firmly and putting her on the floor. Well this resulted in immediate crying and trying to climb back in my lap. I picked her up and hugged her and then she would go right back to hitting me in the face so I would put her back on the floor and the whole thing just repeated. We did this a few more times before I just redirected with a toy.

I don't feel like she even remotely got it that hitting mommy = I don't get to be with mommy so I should stop hitting. Is anyone else going through something similar and/or have advice? Is this the right response from me? Are my expectations to high that she should somewhat comprehend the consequences of her actions? Can she understand "nice touch" at this age? Should I make her sit away from me for longer than a couple seconds? Is she still to young for any of this and should I just redirect?

Thanks in advance for your input!

babybuns2 · October 2014

DD pulls hair like nobody's business, particularly the dogs. We've been telling her "gentle" and doing hand over hand to show her what 'gentle' means. It took a couple weeks, but now she rarely pulls the dogs fur, and when she does, we just tell her 'gentle' and she switches to patting softly. I would maybe try showing her what is appropriate, in addition to telling her what isn't.

ETA: I also tell her why I'm saying no. "No pulling, that hurts mommy/the dog/etc. We have to be gentle, like this, so we don't hurt people."

somewierd_person · October 2014

I tell my lo, gentle hands and show him how to be gentle. I don't know if they have the same cause and effect with hitting and being put down. I usually try to redirect or have him play with something if he won't stop. He pats me a lot and I tell him pat pat pat when he gets too excited and hits.

worleygirl · October 2014

DS did the same thing. My pedi said to firmly say no and put him down and distract with a toy or point something out (look at the doggy) and only pick back up for snuggles and kisses etc once the moment was over. It worked for us.

chicki1012 · October 2014

I seriously feel the same way are they too young to be naughty?? Ha ha!!! I feel like I'm wrestling a crocodile when I'm changing DS sometimes. I say no and he just laughs like he thinks it's funny. I also noticed he started to bite like he will crawl to me and do a face dive into my leg like he's being funny and bites me. I sometimes don't think he means it, everything goes into their mouths, they have to chew on everything. I say ouch really loud and no bite, that hurts mommy. But he laughs like he thinks it's funny, it's frustrates me. So maybe this will be something he will outgrow and like pp's said @kellydew09‌ I also think they are testing their boundaries etc. I say no to him in a stern voice to and he still laughs. So I'm not quite sure how to go about this either. Keep doing what we are doing I guess and just be consistent.
Edit: hit post before done

blue_elle · October 2014

@chicki1012‌ M has also been biting me this way. I realized later that he's using his mouth to help climb. I try to watch for it and avoid, but it's getting better as he gets more steady.

chicki1012 · October 2014

blue_elle said:
@chicki1012‌ M has also been biting me this way. I realized later that he's using his mouth to help climb. I try to watch for it and avoid, but it's getting better as he gets more steady.

Oh my gosh yes. That is exactly what DS does. He tries to climb on me to or when he crawls to me stands up by pulling onto my leg he will bite me that way. Or tries to grab and climb up onto my shoulder if I'm sitting on the floor he will bite my shoulder too. Not hard but it does grab my attention. It must be pretty common then. Yeah I'm not to worried yet about it. I keep telling him no, and try to avoid it too

TheGreatBeyond · October 2014

Yes, @chicki1012‌ , they're too young to be naughty! I didn't think I'd be looking for "discipline" advice yet.

Glad everyone else is having similar issues. I just don't feel that what we're doing is making any difference so wanted to see how everyone else is handling it. It seems at this age though that if we stay consistent she will eventually understand.

mommabird77 · October 2014

They are just exploring. Mine smacks me and sticks her fingers in my mouth, nose and tries to rip my teeth out. Totally normal exploration. I don't think a firm no, or any no is appropriate. They don't understand no. I just redirect when I can. When she is smacking me, I show her a toy to play with instead. Or, I tell her gentle, take her hand and gently rub it on my face, although I even feel that is a little too advanced for this age.

jeslillyn · October 2014

We try the "be gentle" method. My lo was hitting so bad last week and everytime he did he wed grab his hand rub it on our face and tell him to be gentle. This week theres been a huge difference. Good luck

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