grabbing

[jarrahsmumma]

hi all,
just a sort-of-wondering question...my 7 month old boy grabs at my face. Sometimes he grabs really hard and his nails scratch my face, i trim his nails as low as possible to lessen the bloww :). He also slaps my partner in the face quite hard. Obviously he doesn't realise what he is doing, but is there any way to stop this or will he just grow out of it. I have tried taking his hand after he does it and saying "no" in a very firm 'supernanny' sort of voice.

any tips or similar stories

natalie

[Chickadee]

At that age bubs are exploring the world and especially how they can react with it. The "Ow" and funny face you make can be enough feedback to keep him interested in the game. Pretty hard to stop reacting to being hit, but you might try ignoring it.

[xkwzit]

Hi Nel
I've always told my girls off for that kind of thing, even when they were babies and weren't doing it deliberately. I figured that it was never too early to start disciplining them with a firm word and gentle restraint (and I do remember thinking "if I don't start now - when would I?"). It didn't have any immediate effect, but they (at least DD1 - DD2 is still learning about "gentle" :D ) did just eventually stop.

Cheers

[betty]

my boy does the same, but it seems like he is trying to touch and feel my face as he does with everything but isn't so in control on his movements yet, I tell him "gentle" so that a positive behaviour is reinforced, not a neagtive one