18months hitting others for fun

[ArtichokeAardvark]

I know it's a stage, but I need some coping mechanisms and some advice to get through!

DS is nearly 18months and for the last few weeks has started hitting, biting and pulling hair for fun. He doesn't ever do it when he's angry, so he's not acting out of frustration. If I tell him off or try to restrain him (gently - I mean holding his arms down) he just laughs madly and then tries again the moment I let go. Similarly he's too young really to understand time outs. He's very big for his age and strong, so it actually does hurt when I get walloped on the head with a toy for the 5th time!

Any advice on how I can teach him that it's not acceptable to hit? At the moment I take the brunt of it, but he's occasionally hurt other children at nursery too. He does understand 'no' but is very selective about when to listen to me!

Anyone? Bump...

Just be consistent and say no hitting / biting every damn time. The message is lost if you start with a long winded sentence like that hurts mummy, hitting is unkind, kind hands la dee dar

If you see he is about to hit stop his hand, obviously don't hurt him or grab him, but take his wrist.

He isn't yet old enough to have developed impulse control. Move away or distract.

He likes getting a response out of you. That's what is fun for him. That's what you remove from the equation. Give him one firm no and then ignore him for a few seconds. If he's hitting while in your lap, sit him down on the floor and don't look at him. If he's somewhere safe like strapped in his car seat or high chair, step away or stand with your back to him. He needs to learn that violence equals no attention or interaction from mummy.