Toddler Hitting Baby

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Now that my baby is crawling, my toddler keeps hitting him. What do I do?

Supervision at this stage is important, as is making sure your older daughter has a baby-free zone. Usually the conflict at this age is more about baby getting into her space, or the fear that baby might touch her things.

Much of this is age appropriate, so you teach what is right and, as your children grow from this stage into the next, you are shaping them. Reflect feelings: “You are frustrated that he is touching your stuff.” Teach: “You can say, ‘Momma! Get the baby!’ and you can also give him this other toy to play with.”

This is one of those stages that your daughter will grow out of, and it’s important to focus on respecting her during this time, and working to teach her what you want her to do.