Very normal but yes it’s not nice! Just be firm and say No and maybe even put him down for a few minutes when he does it so he definitely knows.

Yep they all do it! Normal behaviour. You just need to tell them NO sternly and that it hurts. I got to a point with my eldest son that when he hit me I would say NO hitting, hurts and put him down, everytime. He soon learned that that behaviour meant he didn’t get my attention. Worked! Just need to be consistent and it will pass…..Just wait till you get to the biting phase!

My son went through a similar phase and, like you, I hit the forums for help. What I discovered was that it is quite normal so that helped to keep me sane. I have found that the best approach is to stay calm, hold my little ones hands and remind him that mummy (or whoever) is not for hitting while pouting so that he know’s it hurts. I’d also remind him that hands are for being helpful, gentle and kind. At first my little one would laugh at me but eventually he raised that it was not acceptable behaviour.
I won’t lie to you, my little one is now two and we still have the odd lashing out at either myself or toward others if he’s tired and grumpy, but the instances are fewer and he instantly knows that it was wrong and he tries to smooth it over with kisses and pats before I even have a chance to remind him that it’s not nice and that hands are for being gentle and kind.
I hope this helps and that it eases your worry. I went through a phase of thinking my child was going to be a bully but I think that by having a gentle approach toward unwanted behaviours that we’ve tempered most of the lashing out and for the most part my two year old is very thoughtful, empathetic and kind.