My 13 month old will not stop hitting...

and I'm starting to get really concerned.

DS started hitting a little over a month ago but it's getting worse. He walks around all day hitting anyone in his way and he attacks his older brother (2yrs old). He is now starting to hit him with toys, sippy cups, etc. Last night was the worst of it because he took his sippy cup and started hitting my other son over the head with it to the point that my son started crying.

I've tried telling him NO, I've smacked his hand and his bum but nothing bothers him. He just walks away shaking his head no at me.

I do remember that my older son went through a quick hitting stage but nothing this severe. Should I do concerned? Any thoughts on what I should go?

Re: My 13 month old will not stop hitting...

What about time out?

Re: My 13 month old will not stop hitting...

I thought he might be too young for time out. I know his pedi said it's too young.

I've also tried to teach him "do nice to mommy" and I'd take his hand and do nice touches. He laughed and would smack me

Re: My 13 month old will not stop hitting...

My oldest DS is 19 months & is doing this too. Nothing phases him in terms of hitting his hand or rear. We started to do timeouts around 15 months (hitting has been going on since about 14.5 months) & he just started to get the concept of it. He still does it but it is not as frequent. Everyone tells me this is a phase he will outgrow

Re: My 13 month old will not stop hitting...

I'm not sure DS understood TO's then but he knew something was up b/c we took away his toys and made him sit.

We started about that age too.

After his TO (only 30-45 seconds to start). We did the calmly explain what you did wrong, no hit, make nice, hug it out thing. Once he started talking, he appologized.

At this point, I'm not sure it can hurt to put him in TO. Especially if he sees his other brothers in TO - me might understand more then you think.

Re: My 13 month old will not stop hitting...

My DD went through this at about the same age about a month and a half ago. It has gotten better but she will still occasionally hit/slap me. When she does, I take her hands and hold them tight and tell her NO HITTING in a VERY stern voice. I then put her down and walk away from her. She will usually start to cry. I ignore her and then in a few minutes go to her and tell her to "do nice" and "hitting is not nice". I dont think she really understands yet so its all I can do. She does understand NO or when I or DH raise our voice. I tried time out also but she kept getting off the step and running away..So I think shes too young for that too. Hang in there- hopefully it will pass soon!

Re: My 13 month old will not stop hitting...

Thank you. It's reassuring that it's normal. I don't want my son to be "that" kid.

Re: My 13 month old will not stop hitting...

Posted by BethanyLynn

My DD went through this at about the same age about a month and a half ago. It has gotten better but she will still occasionally hit/slap me. When she does, I take her hands and hold them tight and tell her NO HITTING in a VERY stern voice. I then put her down and walk away from her. She will usually start to cry. I ignore her and then in a few minutes go to her and tell her to "do nice" and "hitting is not nice". I dont think she really understands yet so its all I can do. She does understand NO or when I or DH raise our voice. I tried time out also but she kept getting off the step and running away..So I think shes too young for that too. Hang in there- hopefully it will pass soon!