My 10 month old son gets extremely excited when he's close to other babies and children. He grunts and opens his arms out and wants to grab. He will do anything at that point to get out of my arms to get to the little baby or child. He doesn't mean harm but will hurt them by grabbing if I allowed it. I know there is noway of correcting this at such a young age besides saying no and not allowing him to do so but my question is if anyone else had this same problem and when did it go away. I have him in gymboree now so he gets to see babies and children more often hoping that will help. It's only when they are so close that he does this, It appears to be he wants to hug and kiss them since he also puts his mouth on there head right away.
How cute! Babies LOVE to see other babies. You can start teaching him now by telling him "Easy touching" and "Easy hug" etc to convey gentleness of touch.
This is sooooo cute. I know it is a little concern for you, but he sounds just darling and loving. Sounds like you are doing the right thing to expose him to as many kids as you can. Also, I would buy him a doll he can love and cuddle. Like a cabbage patch baby. I would also find some hard baby books with pictures of babies you can read him. Books he can grab and touch without hurting them. Babies smiling, sad, playing, bathing......whatever!
I'm guessing the phase won't last too long the more exposure he gets.
Just keep repeating, "soft touches". My son loved "hugging" the cats at this age which was really just laying on them. At daycare this is pretty much what they all do to each other. Just separate them and let the other kid know that he is just a baby and doesn't know better yet. Their mouth is the most coordinated part of them at that age, hence everything going in it....it will pass.
Try doing very quiet time with him where you show him one on one gentle touches for about 20 minutes a day make sure it is quiet and you have his full attention talk to him in a soft voice, whisper gently in his ear, stoke his back and arms and legs softly while telling him gentle touches, then sit him in front of you doing the same thing stroking his harm in a soft voice say gentle touches, while looking at him and smile at him make sure it is a quiet peaceful time and you are connecting then when you take him to gymboree and he greets other children use the same voice and remind him what he has learned, try it, it may work it may not...at least you tried. He has to learn the behavior and like how the behavior makes him feel in order to show respect and gentleness to others.
This is my 10month old son to a tee!! Im so glad I found your comment. My son is so lovely, friendly and cuddly and he is also VERY active. We have just started parent/infant classes and he has scratched a different baby both times we have been. I know he doesnt understand his own strength but I also feel bad keeping him at a distrance from the other babies. Im sorry I have no advice but im glad that there is someone else out there experiencing the same thing :)
