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Original poster

Baby son often inadvertently strikes / kicks me

12 replies

Folicky · 13/04/2015 22:06

My son has recently turned one and the problem is that he keeps striking me in the face / body. It is often en route to getting somewhere else ie he is climbing across me or upon me to reach things. Other times I'll think I'm looking at him lovingly and he starts pulling, pushing, palpating various areas of my face eg he'll put his palm in my eye socket and pull downwards. Or what seems to be a cheek to cheek hug ends with quite a yank. He's also kicked me in the eye and damaged a tendon while bicycling his legs. The odd time he's being a bit naughty, most times it's just heavy-handedness. Any advice?

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bonzo77 · 13/04/2015 22:17

How old is he? I do think that it takes them a while to realise they're hurting you. My 5 year old gets it, my 2 year old does not. Even some adults don't get it 100%: my DH sometimes accidentally barges or knocks me enough to hurt and he genuinely doesn't realise he's done it.

LynetteScavo · 13/04/2015 22:22

My son has recently turned one

He;s not being a bit naughty - he genuinely doesn't realise he might hurt you. Because...he's a baby.

Gently tell him he's hurt you. He will eventually learn.

toddlerwrangling · 13/04/2015 22:23

Totally normal, unfortunately, I think! One to file under "things no-one tells you about having children" - babies and toddlers are PAINFUL. I have lost count of the number of times I have roared with pain as 2yo DD grinds a foot/elbow into my face/breast or clonks me on the head Shock DH twice had to have an emergency optician's appointment after she booted him in the eyeball.

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Cookiepants · 13/04/2015 22:27

My son is one and quite fond of the old 'Glasgow kiss' Grin. He also pulls hair and pokes eyes. He isn't trying to hurt you he's just a baby. If my DS does it I gently stop him, look sad, and say be gentle. I live in hope he'll get it eventually.

UngratefulMoo · 13/04/2015 22:31

Oh yes, my 19 month old regularly smacks me in the face - sometimes because she's in a strop, sometimes affectionately meant. I am gradually teaching her that it's not ok and that we don't hit people, but I'm sure it'll take a while to learn.

deana4 · 13/04/2015 22:37

its not being a bit naughty. they don't understand they are hurting u, a big pat (wack) on the head followed by awww is how my toddler shows affection.

blushingmare · 14/04/2015 01:46

Honestly at one he's not being naughty. He doesn't know he's hurting you - its all about exploration at that age.

PerspicaciaTick · 14/04/2015 01:57

He barely knows he is a separate person from you, so he really doesn't understand how something that doesn't hurt him might be hurting you.

Original poster
Folicky · 14/04/2015 07:25

When I said the odd time he's being a bit naughty, I really put that in to avoid looking too lenient, but thanks for the reminder that it's not intentional on his behalf. Any advice on managing? I've found when changing him not to overlook his feet but his trunk is reducing eye injuries/ near miss eye injuries....that's when he does the bicycling with the legs & likes to try to reach your hair/eyes with his legs. He's torn the canthal tendon on my left eye necessitating surgery and I'm worried about getting a similar injury again so ways of minimising the chances of that is what I'm asking for

OP posts:
blushingmare · 15/04/2015 21:39

Sounds tricky. Don't know if there's anything I can suggest other than what you're doing already - ie. trying to stay out of the firing line! Closer to two and you will be able to persuade or distract him away from that behaviour. Are there any distractions you could use that would work? My 11mo is still massively passified by emptying the baby wipe packet at nappy change time to keep him still and quiet! Or the godsend/dreaded phone?

allotherusernamesaretaken · 15/04/2015 21:50

Yup. My 9 month old likes nothing better than a few excited slaps to the face, hair yanking or neck gauging with nails. I try to just keep saying "gently" and take her hands off. I don't know when it will sink in but I do think she is getting a bit better with my hair these days or at least she pulls out fewer handfuls these days
I don't know what to advise but to just continue taking his hands off gently, dodging or blocking him. It sounds really bad if you have had surgery though, sorry to hear that

GlitterTwinkleToes · 15/04/2015 21:56

How does he respond when you say no?
DD who's 14mo, smacks and pinchs me, I take her hand, say no DD it hurts mummy which usually makes her giggle like mad monkey
When I occasionally see her trying to do it now, say no DD it will hurt before she does it and she stops straight away and giggles. Consistently and alot of patience is the key

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