Discipline in 12 mo old?

[LDSmomma]

I read the thread about helping a 1 yr old to listen, and found it very helpful, but I'm having additional issues in our home. DS is hitting DH & me some, which doesn't bother us too much, but we're trying to stop it. The bigger concern is that he also hits his friends when he sees them. He gets excited, and wants to touch them, and his touches are hits. I say , "be gentle", and guide his hand to touch them gently, and to touch me & DH gently, but so far, it's not helping. I also say things like "no, don't hit", but in a gentle way. The hardest part is that the other parents get a little upset when their kid is getting hit.

Thanks for any suggestions!

Also, any suggestions for books/websites that can help me with ideas for disciplining him? Most info I find will be great help once he's verbal, but at this stage, I'm lost!

[RoViMama]

One thought I had was to help him greet his friends (hand over hand gentle touch) and continuing talking to him about gentle touch. I would play with his toys, any animals you have and DH. Practice with him and in front of him narrating and playing. It sounds like he is really happy to see his friends and needs to also express his excitement. Teach him to do a happy dance or hug himself to get that happy in/output.
Just some thoughts

[swisscanmom]

At 1 yr old, he may not have the motor skills and understanding for gentle touch. I have a 1yr old that loves our cat but really has no concept of gentle. I do the hand over hand thing and guide his hand, and just keep telling him. It'll take a while to learn.

If he hits, I would just gently remove him and redirect him to another activity.