How do I get him to stop hitting?

DS is 9m and he hits. A lot. And now he scratches. I try to keep his nails as trim as possible, but somehow he still manages to claw me or DH at least 2 - 3 times a day. When he hits, I take his hand and hold it, then after a few seconds I tell him "nice," and gently stroke the back of his hand, but this is not working. I don't know what to do. I am sure it is a phase, but he is beginning to really hurt and I want to nip this in the bud.

TIA

Re: How do I get him to stop hitting?

At this age they don't understand the concept of "cause and effect" (if I do this.... this will happen).

When DD does this, I just redirect her by giving her something else to play with. What you're doing is another way of redirecting (giving his hand something else to do besides hitting), but he won't retain the idea that he should 'be nice" instead of hitting.

It's definitely a phase. Wait'll they start getting the cause and effect concept- that's where the real fun begins I've heard.

Re: How do I get him to stop hitting?

It was just such a shock b/c he is such a good baby. I was afraid that if we distract him with a toy that he would be "rewarded" for his bad behaviour. I did not even think that he has no concept of cause and affect.

Thanks for the suggestion!

Re: How do I get him to stop hitting?

DS sometimes hits, more so when he's excited than out of anger. I do grab his hand and tell him "no, you hurt mommy" and then I take his hand to my face and rub it gently and I say, "see, do nice to mommy."

Re: How do I get him to stop hitting?

Re: How do I get him to stop hitting?

Posted by stephanief

she LOVES to pull my hair

Re: How do I get him to stop hitting?

Posted by MsMBV

Posted by stephanief

she LOVES to pull my hair

oh that is his favourite pasttime

Re: How do I get him to stop hitting?

Taylor is 11 1/2 months and she is definitely a brute!

She hits and pulls hair....and it hurts.

I have tried the "be nice" route, but it doesn't work.

Poor DH....she gets him in the noodles quite often.

Re: How do I get him to stop hitting?

DD scratches - though I don't think on purpose - and grabs and yanks hard on hair - I don't think they understand cause and effect at this age (she is 8 months) I simply take her hand and say - that hurts mommy and then say gentle and show her - then distract her with something else.

I think that is pretty common thing to do at this age - I see it in most of the kids her age.

Re: How do I get him to stop hitting?

My son does the same thing. He likes to hit my hand and he scratches DH's face a lot and pulls on DH's nose and ears. He is kind of a rough child. Sometimes I tap his little hand and tell him "No Milan, be nice like this" and I show him. He usually gets it for a split second then he goes back to being rough again.