thumb

[cjb/jbvd]

DS has just turned 7 months and has started stabbing things with his thumb. instead of using a forefinger or whatever, he sticks his thumb out at right angles and just bangs repeatedly and quite hard with it.

he has also started grabbing handfulls of my face whenever he gets a chance.

and the hair pulling is getting alot worse.

now he's started throwing himself backwards and bending himself over nearly in half backwards whenever he wants something his own way or he is chucking a tanty over something.

all things are quite painful, but i can't get him to stop doing them. i've tried taking his hand away, saying no firmly and repetitively, putting him down and walking away and even letting out the occasional yell of pain and making my cross face with him. none of it works.

any suggestions on how to fix any of the above would be quite welcome.

[EskimoMumma]

I can udnerstand to an extent of what you are going through. But i honestly dont think babies understand "no" yet. Maybe keep trying with the cross face or "that hurt mummy then do the expression"

I know my ddhas been grabbing handfuls of my face (And flab under my arm, god they hurt!) and theres nothing yuou can really do but move them away

WIth the tantys, oh dear im not to sure about that.

[beetlgrl]

hello,
my bubs is also 7 months and she seems to be doing the same things:banghead: she pinches my skin all the time!and she also arches her back.... its so frustrating sorry no advice but i feel ur pain lol

[SassyMummy]

DD doesn't use her thumb for everything (she uses her index finger), so I can't help you there. Actually, I can't really help you out at all (sorry).

I CAN sympathise with you however. DD is 10 months old and has been doing that back-arching bending-over-backwards thing for ages now. It's really quite irritating (especially when you don't know it's coming and you quickly have to grab them so they don't fall on the floor).

I always think that it's my DD's way of getting away from me. She also stiffens up and makes herself very straight and stiff when I'm carrying her, so it's hand to keep a grip...so she can slide down my body. If DD is has something she shouldn't, I try to take it off of her, often she will push herself backwards to get away from me. Sure, her head smashes into the ground...lol...but for some reason she'd much rather that than have me take the item from her!

I think it's just a learning thing for babies...plus, I'm sure that seeing the world upside down is a brand new thing. It's probably interesting to see Mummy upside down, or watch the TV upside down.

I also know about the face and hair grabbing and pulling! EEK! It hurts so much sometimes. DD likes to rip my lips open and scratch my gums...it's so painful. I imagine it's just a learning thing. She doesn't understand that her actions are hurting me...she's just exploring.

Even if your son doesn't understand the "no" thing yet, keep at it. He'll eventually learn what it means. That's not to say he'll OBEY you...lol...but at least he'll understand.