hitting people at 10 mths

[teabags]

My DS, is very placid most of the time, but thinks it is very funny to hit faces. I have tried saying no and I always put him down if he hits me when I'm cuddling him to try and make a point that it's not ok. At playgroup he will hit children and laugh but they obviously don't find this funny. I don't think he is spiteful, just exploring but I do want it to stop as it is just not acceptable behaviour especially when he is with other children. Any tips?

I'd be interested in the answer to this one too teabags! My dd is 10m and doesn't hit, but does poke (generally eyes) and pull hair or ears very very hard. There is no spite at all, it is just curiosity and at this age they just don't realise other people "feel" things. I just keep repaeting "no poking" etc but she doesn't get the whole gentle thing at all and if it doesn't click in soon I'll have two very bald cats (and my friend will have a very bald baby!).

LOL ladies. I think you're right just to say no and put them down. As you say it's just exploring, they don't know it's wrong but they soon will if you ignore that behaviour and praise the good. I find MIL and FIL are making a big thing of it just now (ds is just pulling hair atm) but they don't realise it's just encouraging it even more. They're little sponges just now and they will soon absorb what you instill in them