11 month old hits me

[JubblyJamie]

First post, hello all...

I have an 11 month old nephew and he's really well behaved, happy, playful etc. However, I think I've got him into a bad habit. From 6m+ I'd let him play with my face whilst holding him; pulling my nose, slapping my cheeks and I'd make funny noises etc. It made him laugh and still does, but he's getting bigger and stronger now but won't stop. How can I put a stop to this? I'm not worried about my face but in case he thinks it's normal.

Hope someone can relate. :)
Jamie

Most babies go through a phase of hitting, you just need to consistently tell him 'no' and remove him from the situation/distract him with something else.

Perhaps every time he does the hitting, take his hand and say 'gently' and then stroke your face with his hand.

We did this with DS and the cat (he loved to just slap her or pat her quite hard, totally out of affection but obviously not desired behaviour). So he learned how to stroke her gently.

It's a phase :) They do grow out of it, if you keep redirecting them gently they get the message. All babies do it, though.