question on how to best handle a grabby 6 1/2 month old

[fibrecruncher]

My ds is very active. Crawling, climbing stairs, he pulls himself up to standing easily. So he's quite strong and when playing he grabs whatever is near him or in his way I.e. hands arms cheeks etc. He's a happy little boy so I know hes not trying to cause damage its just not so pleasant and not good if he's too rough with another baby. Is it best to say no in a stern voice or to model the behaviour we'd like by saying gentle and stroking or touching lightly. Any advice would be great thanks.

[morethanpotatoprints]

Hello OP

Isn't he just doing what normal 6 mth olds do? I mean reaching out for stuff and trying to stand, crawl and balance.
The world is a wonderful place and why try and stop him exploring it?
As for other babies, well you just keep an eye on the space each one needs and avoid obvious clashes.
Grabbing things is normal, please don't tell him not to and certainly don't be stern.

[pookamoo]

Sounds totally normal, but always a good idea to model gentle behaviour.

[mumatwork999]

My DS did this at this age - a favourite was the windpipe crush (full grab at the throat) when you were holding him [ouch] . I just gently blocked or moved his arm/hand away (with a little kiss on his hand, if it could without too much danger of receiving an eye poke!) or distract with toy or something. If you are worried with other parents and their kids maybe just mention it early on in the playdate so they aren't taken unawares if your LO makes a grab at a sensitive area or lunge for a sparkly earring. Its a normal phase that soon passes. I think it is too young to start with 'no' - save that for your future 2YO!

[AnythingNotEverything]

I think the only thing you can do is keep him out of harm's way. Hos behaviour is normal for his age so you have to make sure he can only. reach things he's allowed to touch.

I'd say no gently when you move his hand away, but don't expect him to remember for next time.

[Chocolatestain]

It's perfectly normal and at this age and all you can really do is be vigilant and move him away gently. DS stopped grabbing of his own accord, but then stated getting a bit rough with my face when holding him at about 13 months. This time I said 'touch gently' while taking his hand and showing him how to stroke my face with his palm. It worked really well and now he understands the request to 'touch gently'. (He was never actually trying to hurt me, just getting a little over boisterous).

[SugarPlumpFairy3]

Yes, just a gentle hand removal and model nice behaviour should do the trick. My dts went through a phase when he was around 12 months of hitting us around the face. It got worse when he also did that to other children he encountered so we gently took his hand, showed him how to stroke our arm gently, whilst saying "gentle/nicely". It worked a treat and the phase was short lived.

[007licencetostandonamolehill]

Model the behaviour you want to see and help him do it himself we had to do this with our animals/babies but it works after a while. I think a stern no isn't needed in this situation.

[007licencetostandonamolehill]

'Stroke like this', you then demonstrate, next you open his palm and help him stroke gently

[fibrecruncher]

Thanks a lot for the replies op. I mostly worry when he's with other babies and they are on a play mat together as wouldn't want them hurt. My instinct tells modelling the behaviour is the best way to go. :)