My baby girl is almost 14 months, and in the past couple of weeks she has started smacking as hard as she can, usually in the face. Sometimes it is random, most of the time it is when she is told no or re-directed. We have been very careful not to let her s3 anything like that on t.v., we do not play-fight around her or swat the cat in front of her. I say in a simi-stern voice that we do not hit, hold her arm close to her side (not rough just so she can't hit again) and don't look at her for a few seconds. Then she laughs and tries to do it again! Im not sure if she sees it anywhere else, I don't think she would. I'm baffled! Ideas, please?

I think it must be instinct. My child was smacking me as a toddler who had never been spanked. Thankfully, she was able to LEARN not to, and knows not to hit people now.

It can be both, I assume.

My DD used to pinch as a baby, and neither I or DH does it at all.

I think its more of them testing out their boundaries, see what is allowed or accepted.

Some toddlers bite, as a natural reaction to a denied response or action.

No. it's human nature and a normal stage in childhood development.

Just keep redirecting and being stern. She'll grow out of it.

All kids do it as far as I know and they eventually learn not to hit people.

It can be both

Good to know. Not sure if what I'm doing is working, but im sure glad she didn' pick biting! Oh, wait she does THAT when she nurses. Sigh. Hope she grows out of it soon!

All babies/toddlers have a hitting stage.


Now when an older kid is acting like that, it may be a learned behavior.