My DD is 22 months old and is going through a hitting phase. It's usually when I'm picking her up to carry her somewhere, e.g. down the stairs or putting her in the car seat, but can sometimes be out of the blue. Following advice I've been given by family and friends, I always firmly say 'No' and if I'm able to I move out of her way or try and redirect her to a toy/book. Sometimes if I give her a cushion or toy she will grab it and bite it really hard. But if I'm putting her in the car or carrying her I obviously can't always say no and put her down.
Over the last couple of days she has just started hitting herself too and will slap herself in the head. Every time it happened I firmly said no and took hold of her hands, when I let go she did it again and made herself cry. This has happened a few times and it's so upsetting, more than her hitting me, I don't want her to hurt herself. It's really unlike her, I checked with her nursery and they assured me she hasn't hit any of the staff or children there and told me she is a very kind girl. She doesn't hit DH. When DH sees her hit me he will tell her off and she cries, but she doesn't cry when I tell her no.
I know it will just be another one of these "phases" that she'll grow out of eventually, but I'm more concerned with her hitting herself. I'm trying really hard to help her with her speech as I think a lot of it is frustration at not being able to express herself fully, but it's still really horrible. Has anyone's DC behaved similarly or have any tips for anything else I can try?