What to Do When Your Baby Hits

Babies hit out of frustration, anger, or for mere entertainment. What should a parent do? We recommend that you take consistent, firm action whenever your child hits you. Immediately set your child down on the floor, with a firm statement like, "Be gentle" and step back to avoid getting hit again. Don't display anger but be deliberate and firm. Your child needs to learn that hitting doesn't work. She can't stay in your arms or on your lap. If she hits you will remove her from that place immediately.

But that's not the end. Require that the next thing your child does is come to you for a hug. This is the precursor to the Positive Conclusion you will use later. "Are you ready to get up. Come over and give me a hug. Show me what gentle is." Allow the
child to give a hug or stroke your arm with her hand in a gentle way. Praise her for her gentleness. When you set your son down after hitting, he may have a temper tantrum. If you're in a situation that allows, the best thing is to ignore him until he's calmed
down and then encourage him to come back for a reuniting time. Immediate, consistent, temporary separation like this followed
by a Positive Conclusion will discourage the hitting and replace it with something else.

Children, who can't yet talk or communicate well, often get frustrated and act out with violence. Don't just ignore it. While you're teaching communication skills, also teach limits on hitting, biting, pushing, and other forms of physical meanness.

This article is provided from the Effective Parenting organization at www.effectiveparenting.org