Baby likes to hit my face

My daughter was like this around this time and still is … just feel like it’s something they’ll learn over time

My sister does this with my niece “nice hands only with mommy.” And then mimic like caressing or softly touching your face with her hands. She also fake cries 🤣

Give baby a stuffy and you hit the stuffy and make stuffy say "ooowww" just basically keep offering a alternative/ redirect the hitting to a designated pillow or stuffed animal to help them lol

Then you can teach gentle hands by lightly stroke 2 or 3 times their arm saying "gentle, gentle hands" but also give them the outlet to get that power/ gross motor/ feelings out lol

My little one did it once and I pretended to be very upset and moved away, stopped holding her and giving her attention in that moment, I think it’s important to teach them if you hit me you lose my attention, it’s hard to teach little ones at that age about good and bad but all children crave attention so by removing that during a negative helps them to realise it has a negative effect

The only thing that’s been working for my son is I’ll take his hands and gently touch my face and say gentle

Repetition and sticking firm to your boundaries is unfortunately the only way they will truly understand. Every time he hits you, say “I will not let you hurt my body” and move away from him so he can’t touch you. He will most likely follow you and that’s when you say “If you hit mommy, I will walk away to keep my body safe”. Then if he hits again, put him in a playpen or something where he can’t get to you. Sit close by and explain that he needs to be gentle with his hands. It’s a long process and will take multiple times, but I promise it works. (i’ve worked with kids for 10 years now lol)

@Ryann Yes! Modeling gentle touches with another person in front of them as an example makes it easier for their brains to comprehend

My 10 month old is doing the same exact thing! I redirect him and tell him “gentle hands” my therapist said that will work so I’m trying it out

@Julianna for sure! For a long time I would say gentle and put my hands gently on him but it didn’t do anything because he couldn’t understand how to be gentle with HIS hands. It’s made a world of difference for us!