My 7 1/2 month old keeps hitting me!

Marlene - posted on 08/14/2012

I babysit my 13 month old niece and lately she's been smacking mine and my daughters glasses off or she'll rip them off. Sometimes it hurts and I don't know what to do. She's also been hitting her head on the floor, wall or baby gate. Last night I put her in her baby bed and she slammed her head into the rails and busted her nose and blood started coming out. Needless to say I panicked. She doesn't want anyone else to hold her but me and screams after me if I leave the room. I don't know what to do.

Jennifer - posted on 03/29/2009

Just keep telling him no.  He is so young that he doesn't understand probably even that it hurts you.  I bet you are doing good.  Kids just love to push the limits. 

Angel - posted on 03/28/2009

lmao! I have the same with my son. he grabs my glasses, scratches my face, pinches me, hits me, i also try telling him no but it doesnt do much. one thing that does work is holding him in the cradle position and having his arm held under mine. but he quickly learned how to wiggle out of that.

Kirsten - posted on 03/25/2009

Haidyn is constantly hitting, pinching, even biting and my hair has been in a pony for months...hopefully she grows out of it. We say no, seriously and put her down...she knows what it means but she doesn't often choose to listen!

Cindy - posted on 03/25/2009

My little one also grabs my glasses and scratches my face, he hasnt hit me yet though. I am dealing with it at this stage by just ignoring it, I just put him down if i have been holding him and walk away, that way he learns what behaviour gets attention and what doesnt. He has stopped taking my glasses, but still enjoys exploring my face and manages to scratch me.

Candace - posted on 03/25/2009

its a phase they all go thru all my kids did that , they think its funny and like one says its attention... can start teaching no no hitting ouchie ... make sure they know it hurts... if they do hurt .... my loves to pinch with his hands grabbing so tight ... i just remove his hands and say ouchie and pout he will pout too.. . at least mine did

then we play somehting else they are easy at this point

Jade - posted on 03/24/2009

Hi Christina i'm Jade and i'm going through the same thing, but when i tell my son no he just laughs at me. To be honest i think it's just a phase they go through to explore with their hands. hopefully they will grow out of it eh.

Claire - posted on 03/24/2009

dont give him any attention or a reaction to this behaviour, it will soon go. find another behaviour and re-enforce that e.g when my son puts hs lips to my face giving me kisses, i make a big fuss saying 'thankyou for your kisses' and laughing with him. he then carries on giving his kisses.

Loni - posted on 03/24/2009

Mine does it too, he smacks the table and the chairs and anything he is close to. My nurse told me it's a method of learning depth perception and it's nothing menacing. He doesn't know that what he's doing hurts or is annoying and he'll grow out of it if you don't pay attention to it. If he knows it gets any sort of attention good or bad, he'll continue to do it.

Melissa - posted on 03/23/2009

Quoting Jennifer:

My little one hits too. Don't worry though, it's just that they have discovered a new thing to do. Try distracting him with belly kisses and make strange faces when he hits. Also it helps to tie your hair back. Hey it could be worse...at least you don't wear glasses LOL!!!

Ha Ha! i do wear glasses and they are pulled off my face and smudged many times in a day.  I do agree that it's just something new for them.  My little one likes to grab my face- cheeks, nose, my lips, anything that he can.  I think it's their way of exploring. 

Jennifer - posted on 03/23/2009

My little one hits too. Don't worry though, it's just that they have discovered a new thing to do. Try distracting him with belly kisses and make strange faces when he hits. Also it helps to tie your hair back. Hey it could be worse...at least you don't wear glasses LOL!!!

Lubna - posted on 03/23/2009

i think babies at this age they know the meaning of NO, just give him the serious look and put him back as if u r upset...i do this with my 7 months daughter when she starts taking the food out of her mouth,...when i give her the serious look with the no she stops...

Alizbeth - posted on 03/23/2009

My son will sometimes hit and pinch me when he is breast feeding. I don't think he is being mean, he just does it. Your son has discovered that it is a way to get your attention, I don't think he wants to hurt you. You will have to stop giving him the chance to do it in the morning by getting up before he does. Also the hair is something to play with try pulling it back before you pick him up.