how do you deal with kids who smack/hit? Need help asap!!!!

[allthegearnoidea]

Evening,
I'm very worried out behaviour of my 14 month old. He is the most communicative, engaging and happy boy, but he does have a problem behaviour. Often when you play with him/ hold him he very deliberatley plants his fist in your face/ bashes you with a toy. He does this far more with me and DP, very rare with childminder. He then looks (often laughing/smiling) for your reaction. I don't want to keep saying 'no' all the time as it's so negative, but it isn't OK to hit and he does it lots, yet he's only 14 months, so ideas for addressing this?
Thanks everyone.

[avenanap]

Tell him no, put him down and walk away. The lack of contact from you will reinforce that it is wrong. It sounds like he's looking for a reaction. If you don't give it to him he should stop. In this occasion you have to say no. You can be nice to him when he's being nice to you.

[juuule]

Keep saying 'no' and don't look pleased. You are right that he is looking for a reaction. If your reaction is a stern no and you let him know that it's not a good game then he will eventually get the message.

[castille]

I'd take his hand (the one he hit with) and say calmly "no hitting, touch gently" and show him how to stroke your face. Then let him do it.

Repetition is the key, do it every time he hits, but without masses of emotion. He'll get the message eventually!

[allthegearnoidea]

thanks for input, we have been trying that for quite a while, he hasn't yet generalised that we mean 'no' for all hitting, but then he is young. He's really trying at the moment, please tell me it's a phase?! Worried that if not addressed early it could persist.

[juuule]

It's a phase