HELP!! My 15 Month Old Hits Herself...

Do you give her lots of attention when she hits herself? One way to break this habit is to not give her eye contact when she does it, and just put her hands down to her sides without saying anything to her. Don't hold them there, but if she brings them up put them down again. She'll learn quickly that hitting herself is not going to get her any extra attention, and it's just not going to be worth it for her any more.. I'm sure she'll find a new way to drive you crazy ;)
Good luck,
D.

There are two things I would try. Ignore and it don't try to stop it. She will not hurt herself and if you just turn away, she will realize that it is not getting any reaction. The other thing would be to try distraction. If you tell her no to something, try to guide her to another acceptable activity. For example, if she is throwing food, show her how to put it on a fork and eat it. If you show her the right way to behave immediately, she might not feel the need to show her frustration by hitting herself.

I know it takes some reprogramming, but trying saying something besides "no". At that age, children are not able to comprehend that you are saying "no, I don't want you to climb there because you might get hurt."

If she is about to do something that might hurt her, try using the word "danger" or something similar. We use that with my daughter and it got a better reaction than "no".

You could also just say "stop". If she is familiar with the "Stop and Go" game, she will understand that better than "no".

Her hitting sounds like a normal reaction to being frustrated. It is no reflection on your parenting, just her limited ability to communicate. When she reacts that way, make sure to ask her why she is doing it. Ask her if she is angry or sad and help her learn the words to express herself, then she won't feel a need to hit herself. Respond with "I am sorry your are sad right now, but Mommy doesn't want you to hurt yourself climbing on the stairs." Acknowledge her feelings and give her an explaination for your reaction.

I know it may seem silly to justify yourself to a 15 month old, but if it is attention she wants, then this is a good way to show it to her.

Hi A.,
I'm new to this sight.. actually I just singnd on. You problem was the first one I read and that reminded me of my nephew. He did a similer thing wen he was just about your daughters age. Every time we tolde him "No" he would put his whole fist into his mouth and start choucking. There is good news, they do eventually stop. So don't give in, sooner or later she will realize that her method of intimidation dosn't work and she will stop. He did. It took him a year to realize that but now he is a happu and healthy kid. Just keep an eye on her so she dosn't hurt herself, and don't make a big deal about it.
Good luck A.,
A. R.

HELLO, HAVE YOU SPOKEN TO HER DOCTOR ABOUT IT ,MAYBE IT'S JUST HER WAY OF TRYING TO GET YOUR ATTENTION, MY DAUGHTER ALSO THROWS HERSELF AND HITS HER HEAD ON THE FLOOR WHEN SHR DOESN'T GET HER WAY, BUT HTE DOCTOR HAS TOLD ME TO TALK TO HER IN A TONE THAT IS NOT SO MEAN BUT NOT TO SWEET NEITHER TO SEE IF SHE CAN UNDERSTAND ME.. IF NOT I HAVE ALSO SUGGESTED THE POSSIABLITY OF AUTISM, BUT THEY SAY SHE IS TO YOUNG TO SAY AT THE MOMENT.. JUST HOLD ON AND MAYBE IT WILL PASS...

I was a young mother my self and had this problem. It took some time but when I told her no she would hit her head. Everytime she hit her head I would say ouch. and ask her why she was hitting her self. It makes mommy head hurt when you do that. When she realizes that it hurts mommy she should stop doing it, it took about a week but after that she quit doing it. I hope this helps a little. Good luck!