Toddler hitting - how to deal with it?

[Laalaalala]

My son has just gone 2 and I feel we are definitely in the toddler trenches. He isn’t speaking yet which does concern me but nursery and HV say to wait etc.

but now he is hitting. Family etc sometimes laugh and play along with it and say ouch etc but I have said no as I don’t want to encourage it. As he doesn’t talk yet I think a lot is frustration but it is hard as I can’t properly communicate etc. he understands no etc

eg he will hit me although not hard. If he is sat on me I put him down and say no we do not hit. If I get up and walk away he follows me crying crawling up my leg wanting to be picked up. If I go sit down he comes and sits on me then calms down. What should I do? Just keep walking around so he can’t sit on me? I don’t want tk then pick him up too early to cuddle him so he thinks it’s ok etc. he doesn’t go to his dad just me

you are doing the right thing. Sharp NO and walk away / ignore for 1-2 mins. then a positive reminder 'use gentle hands and we can play' and go back to playing or doing an activity together.

There's a nice little book called No Hitting Please that I've used with mindees. https://amzn.eu/d/eSk6hDM The author is a teacher specialising in emotional needs, I believe.

Your DS is still very little - he is learning appropriate responses still. Don't worry; with your love and guidance he'll understand better ways to express himself.