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well pinching and scratching is normal and most likely it is a stage she is going thru but you do want to correct her when she does this I take my ds hand and tell him that it hurts and to be easy and love momma and gently rub his hand on my face they just don't understand what they are doing and it is up to us to help them they are just testing us I think

oh and by the way sorry...Hi glad to have you joining the group WELCOME!!

I agree that it's probably just a phase. Mason is a hair puller. If he gets a good grip I feel sorry for anyone who happens to be his victim! All you can do is continue to reinforce being gentle. I wouldn't worry about it too much as it's just one of those things that once babies realize that they can do it then they do it ALL the time. Occe she discovers something else new that she can do then she'll probably move on.(The only way I would be worried would be if she seemed angry all the time and never showed any happiness or contentment)

Shoot....and as rl- said, welcome to the forum!

My dd is 8.5 months old too!! When was your daughter born? Anyway, I have noticed a bit of frustration at times in my daughter as well. Although....knock wood....she isn't having any physical outbursts. But, I do notice her cry and whine in frustration every once in a while. I think it's VERY normal. At this age, she is really aware of what she wants and doesn't want. She also wants to be more mobile and doesn't know how yet, which has got to be very upsetting. At this age, she isn't really able to communicate fully either. It's no wonder babies get angry and frustrated. I would definitely be quite stern when your daughter is hurting you or others, because that isn't appropriate. When my daughter shows her frustrations, I really try to put myself in her place and figure out what is upsetting her. Then I try to put words to her upset, hoping that she will eventually understand. I don't think that babies get the validation they deserve.....they are so much more intelligent that we give them credit for. I get a bit angry when my husband will totally dismiss our daughter's upset and say "oh she's just cranky" or "she's just being fussy." There is ALWAYS a reason, I believe anyway.

Welcome!! I have an 8month dd as well and I believe it is just a phase. My dd will grab my face at times and pull on it--like you said you just tell them no-but they really dont remember anything either-so they might keep doing it!! I think they just test their boundaries at this stage!!!!

I agree with the others...just a phase. My nine month old bangs his head on the floor or whatever he can find at the time. My daughter did this as well and she turned out ok.

oh yeah...welcome to the group.

It is a phase, but you have to ignore the behavior. Any attention they get from you when they are kicking, scratching or whatever, is attention none the less and it feeds them. Walk away untill their anger has passed. Re inforce the good behavior and they will catch on faster than you think

My 16m daughter is also a pincher, biter, grabber and scratcher (and a big hugger & kisser too.) She has managed to grab both of my nostrils with a tight finger-nailed grip and not let go until my nose bleeds….all with a big, evil grin on her face! I agree with the others. It’s a passing phase, just something they figured out how to do and more than likely they are amused by the response they get from us when they pinch us so hard. I try not to make a big deal of it and respond with a simple..”gentle”...although sometimes my dd gets me by surprise and I do let out a loud ouch! It sounds like we both have assertive, little go-getters on our hands….hopefully! :)

Thank you all for your replies. I do feel a little better now. ssmith my daughter was born on May 13th 2006, so I guess she isn't quite 8.5 months yet. When was your daughter born? Rbbits007 she is overall a happy baby, and these angry outburst are fairly recent. Every time she exhibits this kind of behavior I try to ignore it, but when she hurts me directly by pinching or scratching or pulling hair I do tell her no, and show her how to be gentle.

My dd did the same thing, she would also bite me when I would nurse. She grew out of it, but not completely. For a while she pulled my hair, scratched me, hit me, etc. Then she moved on to biting everything in sight, be it my hand or her hand or a toy. Then she moved on to just biting me when I would let her do something, then came fist clunching and holding her breath till her face got red. Now she's 13 months old, and when she's mad she would grind her little teeth so hard that it makes cracking noises and I'm always freaking out about her breaking them! Don't worry, it's completely normal, your dd is at the age where they start getting new emotions like anger and frustration, and they don't know how to deal with those feelings, so they just act out like animals would.

Hey snappy, my dd was born may 10th!!!!!