Baby thug :(

[Mikafan]

My daughter is 15 months old and for the past 3 months or so when you pick her up to hold her she'll slap your face (hard), prod your eyes and pull your hair out by the roots. I've showed her its not acceptable by saying no in a stern voice and putting her down and ignoring her (which she doesn't like) but she carry's on doing it and its now starting to upset me that she can't/won't just be held. She'll also do it in the morning when I bring her into bed with me, she'll crawl over and start hitting me again. Any ideas anyone? Thanks.

[itati]

She isn't a thug. She has learnt that she gets a reaction when she does something and you just have to keep ignoring it when she does it. Just put her down and walk away, say nothing.

My youngest went through a stage of hitting and he would only hit people he liked but as he was a big boy it hurt when he did it. He stopped as soon as he started it but if he heard me talking about him doing it, he would do it again.

[Mikafan]

but I've been doing the ignoring for 3 months now and its made no difference

[Mikafan]

btw, the thread title was lighthearted, I don't really think she's a thug

[itati]

It takes time but she will get the message.

[Jacksmybaby]

My DS (18mths) does this too, I actually think it's a form of affection! I try to just ignore it too,but have had lots of bruises, cuts and even a black eye last week! Will be watching to see if anyone else has advice!

[Mikafan]

doesn't look like they do Jacksmybaby. A form of affection hey? I'm so glad she loves me

[thegrowlygus]

My 16mth old does the same. He gleefully slaps (particularly Daddy) with both hands across the face on a regular basis - a bit like being tango-ed.We are just ignoring it at the moment although it is difficult not to laugh as he just looks so pleased when he does it!

[itati]

Probably the first time they hit, you jumped, called out in pain, etc and they liked the reaction so they will do it again. All you can do is completely ignore - do not reward what they do with a reaction. Suss that now and it will stand you in good stead for future years of tantrums, etc etc!

[HaventSleptForAYear]

My 18 mth old is doing this too. You are not alone !

[Mikafan]

oh blimey, don't tell me she's still going to be doing it when she's 18 months

[Pinkjenny]

My 14mo has just started doing this. And also trying to pull my eyelashes out, which does seem a little barbaric...

[HonoriaGlossop]

agree that it's the big reaction that makes it continue - giving your full attention, even for a moment to say NO can obviously be enough to make this into a game for some kids! Agree just put her down quietly and ignore. You don't have to ignore for even a minute - distract quite quickly on to another activity!

She will get the message, yes it does take time but there's no shortcut with this one that I'm aware of!

[happymumathome]

Hi my 16 month old did this for a while too, I just take his hand and do whatever it was gently, and say "oh gentle, good boy, good boy"
It took a while but he now realises that the gentle affection gets much more praise than the excited rough affection. HTH