Stop Pinching

I watch a little boy who does that and his mom started teaching him "Nice" and she would take his hand and gently run it down the side of her face and say "Nice". Now it's funny because he went to go drop a toy very close to one of my daughter's head and she told him "Nice" and he gently ran his hand down his face. It was priceless. But I do understand that it may also be his way of showing affection to you, he gets so excited. I know it can also hurt too, as he's done it to me. Good luck to you and remember consistency. Pick something to say like a one-word phrase and stick to it.

I'm so glad you asked this question Lisa! My son does the exact same thing! I have no idea what to tell you to help, I'm just happy that my little man isn't the only one that does it! I'm going to try the "nice" thing :) Thanks Kristin!

At this age, babies are also starting to figure out facial expressions. My DD was a scratcher. When my DD would scratch, I would make a sad face and tell her that was "owie." Then I would tell her to be "gentle" with momma and have her gently rub where she scratched. As she was gentle, I would smile and encourage her.

OH I feel your pain!! My daughter did the same thing, it hurts! When he does it, take his hand gently and say "NO PINCH" or "THAT HURTS MOMMY!!", and set him down immediately. Remove his hand when you do this and hold it gently down. Don't yell or scare him as he really has no clue but breaking him of the habit now will help by setting him down and giving him the clue if I do this I will get put down. I would have bruises and marks on me with my daughter. It took a solid month of me just repeating the process of me putting her down or in her playpen when she pinched. I didn't get stern or get angry but said "no pinch" and set her down and she finally got it!! :) Good luck!

Let him know it "hurts" and gently grab his hand and maybe stroke your neck or cheek (with his hand) and say "nice" or we said "gentle touches". Don't ever take the pain. You are "condoning" something because you think its his way of showing affection. I'm sure it is but don't let him hurt you.

Definitely use the other posters advice by teaching him "nice" or "sad" when he does it. To explain his action a little, you should know that he has no idea that you even FEEL what he's doing. He's exploring his surroundings and learning what different textures are. If you watch him closely while you're not holding him, you'll probably notice that your face and skin is not the only thing he is pinching and grabbing. It's just the only thing that is painfully noticeable right now. He probably will do it to the carpet, couch or dog as well. Just take a look and see what you can notice about it. It's just a normal part of his development, and your other child may not have used that method of exploration in favor of something else. Let him pinch and grab all he wants, just try to help him understand that it's not nice and it hurts to do it to another person.

My first daughter did this, and telling her it hurt didn't make a difference, I had to swaddle her to hold her, and she would break free anyway. I ended up having to put her on th floor for a minute every time she would pinch me. When she would reach for me, I would tell her to be nice and pick her back up. She got sick of being put on the floor and finally stopped pinching.