Toddler trying to hit newborn

[Beansprout30]

Since bringing newborn dd home two weeks ago, our two year old has been trying to hit/pull her hair etc. Can anyone offer advice on how best to deal with this?

I've tried giving firm 'no's!' but she often looks a bit scared and confused so I've also trying asking her not to do it, she will hurt baby sister etc.. again this isn't working. we try and give toddler one to one time with us and praise her for doing good, is it something we just need to ride out? It's upsetting for everyone

Ride it out. Be careful not to give too much negative attention to it. Saying no quietly and distracting. Lots of attention and praise and some little jobs which incite praise and thanks.

I used to read to toddler whilst breast feeding, if that's an issue.

I intercept the hand and say 'kind hands' and get her to stroke the baby's head then say she's a good girl for bring kind. That, with the continued 1-1 time and getting her 'involved' with looking after baby by letting her 'help' and it will pass eventually.

I always had to be between ds1 and ds2 and took ds2 everywhere with me when he was a baby. It did not last long and when older ds2 worshipped ds1 and they were best buddies! As pp have said give positive instructions (kind hands etc), teach the toddler how to deal with the baby, give the toddler as much attention as you can, we always described the baby as ds1’s baby and highlighted how special ds1 was to the baby (oh look ds2 always smiles when he see you etc)

It was tricky for a while but as pp have said it soon passes!

Thanks alll x

Also big cuddles and "oh no poor baby", give attention to the injured one.

Thanks I'm really struggling at the moment as im on my own a lot with both and it's so hard to try and get stuff done, cooking etc

I'm trying to get her involved but if she gets too close even with me there she will go in for a hit, she threw her cup at her today and my back was turned for a second while I grabbed toddler's towel and she was trying to pull her out of her chair.

Please reassure me that it's normal behaviour??

Ridiculously normal!

My advice Would be - Try not to make it a 'thing' with your reactions to it. Lots (and lots and lots and lots!) of positive reinforcement. When 2yo seems agitated, keep baby safe and move hands away etc, but really try to act like it doesn't bother you but overly.

The toddler is, by nature, extremely selfish, and this little creature (gorgeous newborn!) is currently taking loads of your focus! If you get really wound up by her, it might become a great way for her to get the focus back, iyswim!

Good luck, it will definitely pass!