Slapping Baby

It seems that you are inadvertantly giving him attention for his behavior...even if it's negative attention. I would try giving no attention for the behavior and lots and lots of attention at other times.

It's odd the things the little ones do. It might be for attention. What if you ignore him when he does it? If he's doing it for attention and you give it to him - even if the attention is "NO" it's reinforcing the behavior. You may also try to give him some positive reinforcement when is is doing something else (even sittign quietly) during the busy morning routine - so he doesn't act out.

AND I would call the pediatrician too - looks like it's almost time for the 1yr appt.
Good luck.

If I were you since the slapping just started is one ignore the behavior but also if he is in daycare I would make sure nothing is going on there. He had to learn this habit from some were. I'm sure it is hard to even think that someone can be hurting your child but its better to be safe than sorry. Let us know how things go.

I suppose this is likely a repeat, but I think I'd go with ignoring it. It sure sounds like an attention thing to me. I remember my daughter doing a screaming thing at some point, and we did our best to ignore it. She got over it. A few months sounds like a long time to deal with this, and I'm sure it's hard not to react, but that's what I'd try. Good luck to you and your hubby!

I would make sure that he is not being slapped in a day-care situation. My sister-in-law has some foster children and the 2 yr. old always slaps/hits himself and says "bad boy" because that is what his parents used to do to him.

Instead of telling him "no" when he slaps himself, I would just ignore the behavior and ask him if he would like a snuggle - if he pushes himself away then just leave him to it. My son would bang (and still does on occasion) his head when he was frustrated - especially before he became more verbal - he's 22 months now and only bangs his head (on floor or against his car seat or high chair when seated) whenever he is really upset and we found that the more we tried to calm him down the worse it got. I spoke with my pediatrition about it when he first started - I think around 10 months or so - and he said that it is a self-soothing technique and to not be too concerned about it, that it is normal and kids grow out of it. Now that my son has more words to express himself these episodes are much less frequent.

Good luck!

It sounds like an attention ploy. Have you tried bringing him into where you are when getting ready and giving him a special toy that he only gets to play with at that time? Have you tried talking to him and telling stories while you get ready? Sometimes just hearing your voice is enough to keep them company. I remember at the age I never was alone when getting ready or even going to the bathroom for that matter. Heck after she could walk she would play in the shower while I washed up. As for when he slaps himself try ignoring it. Attention is attention no matter how you get it, so if you dont react perhaps he will stop. It could just be a phase, until he finds a new way to push your buttons. Good luck.

I think he wants attention and he wants to know what's going on. Pick him up. Narrate your actions. Take him with you into the next room (or if you've got some time to be more leisurely, invite him to follow you) and let him leave your presence when he chooses. When I'm running from room to room with both hands busy, I look to see who in the family is staying in one place and ask them to keep the baby occupied for a few minutes-- reading, playing, holding. Sometimes she still cries because she prefers me, but at least her needs are being met and she stops hitting her face on the floor.

He does it when you are busy and not paying attention to him. You give him some (rather negative) attention, which just makes him cry more. I would say he's definitely doing it for the attention. Don't be stern with him -- he's just looking for some love from his mama or daddy. I know it's hard to get everyone ready in the morning, and I'm sure things are a big rush, but for a couple of weeks you should make a big effort to have extra time in the mornings so you can give him the attention he craves from you before you leave for the whole day. If that works, you might want to take a look at your morning routine to see how you could streamline it more so that you have time to spend with your baby and daughter playing in the morning. Good luck!

I would say it's his way of getting attention. Is it possible to bring him into the room you are in when getting ready? He wants attention and obviously he will do anything to get it. Good luck!

Make it a GREAT day!

S.

he's going to do it more if you react, so just refuse to look at him when he does this. I read in Parents' magazine that 1 in 10 kids has habits like this; my son would hit his head on the floor. My other soon hits himself to try to be funny. So either laugh and make it not a big deal, like you're so funny to hit yourself, or turn your head and wait for him to do something cute.

If it really gets out of hand put him in a long sleeve shirt and sew the sleeves to his waist. ;o)

you don't say how long this has been going on. My daughter always pulled her ears when she had an ear infection. I would take your child to the doctor to have this checked out right away. If there does not seem to be a medical explanation, this could be a sensory issue - your son could be reacting to noise or other discomfort in the environment. If he is really reacting to being ignored and this is successfully getting him your attention when you're busy, then it's working, isn't it? you may have to rethink how you plan your mornings if that is when it is worst.

Wow, I am amazed that an 11 month old is doing that. I would consult with his doctor about it. If it is his ear that he seems to be swatting at you may want to get his ears checked by an Ears,Nose & Throat specialist and also an audiologist. Maybe he has a ringing in his ears that is causing a slapping/fussing baby. I find that odd behavior for an 11 month old and I would have him checked out. And if he checks out to be completely healthy and it seems to be just behavioral then I would work on checking out the daycare and working on some different stratagies to help him express himself better.
Good Luck
A.

good question my son is doing the same thing but only when I tell him no.

two theories - 1) frustration - at not being understood, not being able to communicate what he actually wants and 2) what he actually wants is your ATTENTION. he knows that when he gets hurt (tumbles on the floor, bumps his head, etc), you probably (hopefully) comfort him and so he concludes that if he "hurts himself" that he'll get that cuddle and/or some calming reassurance. If that's the case, the worse thing you can do is scold him (NO!) for wanting to be close to you. try recognizing the signs that he wants you to pick him up and love him before he feels the need to "hurt himself and shed tears". if you can't accommodate him at that moment, then it is best to ignore the behavior. Obviously, it's also crucial that your baby is not witnessing any hitting behavior. if your older child is disciplined with the hand, then it shouldn't be in front of the baby, otherwise hitting will be a behavioral issue that will continue through his childhood as an acceptable way of expressing frustration and disappointment.

If you try this behavior modification and he still seems fussy, irritable, and even at times in pain - then consider he may be teething or have a little headache - perhaps from dehydration that comes with summer weather. Talk to your doctor at 12 month well baby check-up. The final theory is that if he is experiencing pain (such as teething or earache pain), this might be his way of telling you that "something hurts".