How do you stop hitting?

[Kaloobear]

DD is 10 months and in the past few weeks has taken to hitting me in the face or grabbing my chin/lip/nose/whatever she can get her hands on and twisting/squeezing/etc as hard as she can. She's teething so she also grabs my fingers and bites them if they're closer than anything else to bite on. I know this is probably normal development but she does hurt me and I don't know how to teach her not to-she's going to nursery next month and I don't want her doing this to other children!

So far I've been moving her hand and holding it and saying 'no, please be gentle DD' with a serious face but she seems to find it all quite funny and always laughs at that point! I don't know how good her understanding is so I don't know if she understands 'no' or 'gentle' but she certainly doesn't respond to them.

Any tips or do I just wait it out?

Bump?

It was a while ago for me, but I remember this stage. You are right that she won't naturally know what you mean by "gentle" you need to demonstrate it. When DS hit and poked, I said "no, be gentle" while taking his hand and demonstrating lightly stroking my arm (and also me stroking his arm or back so he could feel what I meant) repeating the word "gentle, gentle"

I agree with Elephants and did the same. Try not to worry about the other children at nursery chances are they will be doing the same anyway.

Ok thanks-that's more or less what we're doing anyway so it's good to know we're on the right track. Will make sure to demonstrate as often as possible!

I had a similar problem with dd (12mo) and someone said that she's doing it to for cause and effect, to see what your reaction would be. Like a toy that lights up or makes a sound.

I found that ignoring it helped a bit too

my dd2 went through the same stage, they do grow out of it though, just keep on as youre doing and telling her it makes mummy unhappy/sad etc when she does this, i warn you though you will have to say it about 200 times before she finally stops but it will eventually end!