14 Month Old Hits and Bites

[mylittlefiredancer]

Hi Everyone,

I need some ideas; my 14 month-old DD slaps people in the face and bites and both hurt. I have tried to distract her and have tried to put on my "unhappy" face and exlain to her that biting and hitting hurts people (both are ideas I got from Sears' Discipline Book). I've give her a couple of time outs, yesterday was one because she bit me really HARD. I'm just not sure what to do, how to get the point across that we don't hit. Up until now I was thinking that just being consisitent would work, telling her over and over that hitting hurts people and we should do nice. I think that I say "do nice" a million times a day!!!!!!

Anyway, some new strategies would be great!

Thanks!
Nichole

[mylittlefiredancer]

bump

[Cherie2]

my grandson is almost 1, he also bites and hits, he hits mostly for fun it seems. So we try to have a game, like patty cake or give me 5. He will throw his face on you to bite though when he is mad. So far we have just avoided his teeth and continue as if he had not tried to bite us. My hope is that he will find some other strategies but I am afraid. I am interested in any stories from mamas who have successfully stories of solutions.

[peacelovingmama]

For the hitting, I've always found it helpful to demonstrate gentle touch. Hold the child's hand while gently stroking your face or arm and croon "gentle touch, gentle touch." Then show lots of pleasure at being touched gently.

For the biting, the one time DS did it, I yelped out before I could even think what to do. I think it frightened him but he never did it again. For chronic biting, could you maybe give her something she can bite? Tell her "people aren't biting but you may bite this" maybe.