Is there any way to get my 8 month old to stop hurting me?

Question

She is scratching, hitting, and pulling my hair. It really hurts, but she doesn't seem to understand "no". Any suggestions?

Answer 1

Say no as you are physically stopping the behavior she is doing, and then distract her with another toy.

My nine month old is doing the same things. It's a developmental stage and will pass as long as you keep saying no.

Also, if you want to get a head start on positive behavior for later on, start using positive language. Instead of saying,"Don't pull mommy's hair!" say "Please let go of mommy's hair."

It's the theory that when you say"Don't slam the door," your child pictures a slamming door, but when you say "Close the door softly" she pictures that instead, and what we see, we do. It's probably too early for that to have an impact, but it's good to get in the habit of speaking that way for later. It's always worked for the kids I babysat.

Answer 2

When mine did that I would mimic pain, as they tend to be pretty empathetic at this time. I would do the lip out, fake cry, you hurt mommy thing and if they kept it up I would just put them down and when they did the pathetic pick me up I would say no, you hurt me, and suggest a fun toy or book to look at while not picking up or letting the child climb on me. I did have one stubborn one that would persist with hitting even after I put him down and I used to tell him no and distract him with something else or if he was too out of control I would put him in his crib until he calmed down a bit(he was my early fit thrower-champ by 9 months, anything he couldn't do or have set him off). Distraction at this age is almost guaranteed with a fun noise toy or song. Kind of like, "that's not fun, try this". That worked for him. I think after a while they all just stopped doing it. Probably lack of attention killed the desire. Kids will pretty much do what will keep your attention. Good Luck

Answer 3

Believe it or not, she can understand. So begin to use the word "No" and stop any action that she does by putting her into her playpen. We don't really give human babies the benefit of knowing and learning like we do our pets. Make sure that you take her out to play everyday and get fresh air and sunshine. She needs to have physical play so that her energy is extended and used up. All living beings have this need. Watch the family pet. When you take him out to play and run, the family pet comes back in ready to listen to simple commands and is actually quite nice to be around. Babies and adults, for that matter, need the same exercise to release tension. Be sure and use a simple but regular schedule with your sweet baby and you'll find that she is not a high need child, cranky or fussy. Have fun with her but remember that it is your job to teach this baby to grow up to be a fine woman who might find the cure for cancer or be the President of the United States. :) [e-mail]

Answer 4

At 8 months, more than likely your daughter is just learning about "cause and effect". She doesn't have the compacity to know intent as of yet, so she isn't doing it to intentially hurt you.

What I did with my daughter is if she hurt me, I would tell her no and put her down. After that happening a few times, she made a connection - it happened still from time to time, but not nearly as often as it had before I reacted.

Good luck!!

Answer 5

My nine month old does the exact same thing, but not on purpose. The baby is still learning, you can't expect a human being that came into the world eight months ago to fully capture the meaning of the word "no". Be patient. Good luck!

Answer 6

At that early of age she doesn't understand "no" or understand that she's hurting you. I'd just try to distract her. Bring a toy out for her to play with or put in a "Baby Einstien" movie. Good Luck and be patient.

Answer 7

Keep saying "no" sternly until she gets it. Mine started to get it at about that age, but you still need to be on guard. If I see him leaning in for a bit and I say "no biting" he won't... for about 5 seconds then I either have to repeat it or have distracted him with something else.

Even once they know "no" it is a long time before they have the impulse control not to do what they no is wrong.

Answer 8

you just have to keep putting her hands down and say no that hurts mommy and she will eventually catch on if you stick to the same action and sying but you will have to be patient thats what i did with my 7 month old who just finally stopped doing that

Answer 9

She thinks this a game! I don't think she realizes that she is hurting you. I would say something like "ouch, you are hurting mommy" and if she keeps on doing it, sit her down for a minute or so!

Answer 10

Tell her "do nice to mommy" and take her hands and rub your face gently with them. The you "do nice" to baby and do the same thing to her. This has been working (sort of) with my 9 month old. She still tries to hit sometimes, but when I tell her to do nice, she usually does. we also do nice to kitty (our cat) and some of her dollbabies.......it helps her get the idea of what not to do to people.