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Maybe ignoring it may help? Some kids laugh when they get a big reaction

No advice but it's the same deal with my LO (also 15 months). He also thinks headbutting is hilarious.

I try to immediately put the kids down when that happens and walk away.

Redirection. If I am holding him, I put him down. I also say "keeps your hands to yourself" as opposed to "don't hit." For some reason, it seems to make a difference.

We're in this stage too. Today she hit me with her favorite wooden spoon. Sometimes it helps if I just restrain her hands while telling her, "No hit." A lot of times she just laughs at me.

I think that at this age, even the negative reaction encourages the behavior! the only success I've had with curbing my 17 mos olds biting, is ignoring him and walking away. I pay no attention to him, and walk away to show that I won't play with him while he does that. It has helped lessen it, amazingly enough. I don't walk too far, but far enough to discourage the act. If he follows me, then I take that time to start a new game/activitiy with him. I do think it's important to enforce rules and boundaries but at this age it's hard to communicate that in a way they understand!

I wholeheartedly agree with Mrs. Pen. At such a young age, it is hard for children to communicate what it is that they want verbally so most of the time, it is going to be physical. I used to coordinate an infant- twos programs and we use a lot of redirection with our little ones. In this situation, I might suggest you put her down and give her something to do with her hands that is appropriate. Perhaps a wooden spoon that she can bang on a pot with or a hand rattle of some sort. As noted above by many bees, you don't want to give into negative attention but since the behavior is inappropriate, it is import to replace the negative behavior with something else that is positively appropriate for her age.

Hold her hands and say "I won't let you hit." Every time. http://www.janetlansbury.com/2012/09/biting-hitting-kicking-and-other-challenging-toddler-behavior/

@Mrs. Jacks: you know, I struggle with remembering to reinforce the good behaviour. Sometimes I just don't think to do it. Any tips?

@looch: Oh, gosh, I have that same struggle. It's those moments where I sit back and exhale and watch the girls share or something. As soon as I feel that relaxed feeling, I'm like, "man, I should be praising someone right now!"

Our big praise for M right now is "good listening". I've seen noticible improvement in her listening since we've been using that one. For Lala it's alsways "good sharing!"

I do what you do at first... hold her hand, and say "no hitting!", but then I'd redirect and show her the "correct way". I would say, "gentle", while taking her hands and demonstrating a calm pat or caress.

She doesn't really hit anymore, but there were a few months there where I was worried about it too.