when to start dicsiplining babies?

[Kimbo]

i mean telling them "no!" and stuff like that.
Im getting to the stage where i can't control leah.
She's so demanding, has tantrums when she can't have something, and goes where shes not allowed .. i.e, fireplace etc.
I tell her "no", and move her away or take something off her, but she does it again.
I know she's too young to understand proper, but when do you start getting strict with them?

 

[purple13]

connor understands 'no' and the sign for 'no' all too well - i truly don't think he's being naughty when he ignores it though, IMHO babies aren't capable of willful disobedience. i think its more a case of curiousity and not understanding the reason why he can't shove his fingers in the wii cd slot or tug at the power cable for the television. he also cries if something gets taken from him (like a carrier bag) but he's quickly enough distracted by a toy or a funny face; again, i think its just a case of not understanding.

i just keep saying 'no' and using distractions; hopefully one day he'll find his toys more fascinating than things that he's not allowed, LOL

 

[Clydesdaleclopper]

You just have to distract, distract, distract. Certainly say no but don't expect them to understand or comply.

 

[rachie29]

its exactly the same here.. Holly is constantly trying to get into things just pure curiosity. We tell her no and either move her away or distract her. Thats all you can do

 

[Red_Fairy]

Hannah now understands 'No' and 99.9999999% of the time will stop doing what she is doing, she'll somtimes still protest with a scream/tantrum/winge, but she does STOP. (unless shes particularly in a bad/nutter mood lol) Shes understood for a few months now.
I started saying no at about the same age as Leah is now, it takes patience and alort of repetition
Best thing i found is deffinatly try your best to 'baby-safe' the house spo you dont feel like your just constantly saying no

 

[Sherlock]

I don't use 'no' if I can help it with children. Try to make a negative a more positive thing. Instead of 'no, dont' do that' try alternatives like 'Please leave that alone' or something (I'm tired and can't think of good examples but you get the idea). Or distraction with something else. This often helps diffuse potential situations as the child is not hearing 'no' which they have learnt is a very negative thing. By making a little explanation and finding an alternative for them to do you don't leave them with the big negative.

I know she is still fairly young but keeping it simple and using alternatives can help. Never too young to start with things.

 

[Krystal]

I'm not overly strict but if Jack goes near the TV or plugs etc he is told No in a stern voice and he knows what it means, I do distract him with his toys to stop the tantrums. If he decides to have a tantrum and throws himself about in my arms I just put him on the floor so he can't hurt himself and ignore him. He usually comes around quickly.

 

[Jen & Her Men]

I tell James No if he does sommat like pull my hair or bites me cos god damn does it hurt!! He definitely understands cos he gets drippy lip and starts crying which pulls my heart strings big time but I think its important he understands no.

For other stuff I will just try and distract him and give him alternatives but I dont think there is anything wrong in him learning what no means from this age.

 

[Babylicious]

I've been saying no to harrison for months, he does understand and even gets timeout on the floor when he continuously bites, kicks or nips.

Sometimes he just laughs when I say no though and I laugh back

 

[mrs_tommo22]

Madam gets told no and when that dont work i pick her up and move her away from what shes doing.

I swear if she could speak shed tell me to piss off the looks i get lol

 

[Squiglet]

I know lil miss understands no... because she says no when I take things off her and occasionally she will go near things now, shake her head and say nononono.. Also if she doesn't want to be held by someone, she points at them and says nononono... So she knows... she just chooses not to obey me.. I'll raise my voice sometimes, just to shock her usually into letting go of something, shes a bit jumpy with loud noises, if I need her to let go quick... but in general I just have to pick her up and move her away ....swap things over or distract her with other thing...

 

[Beatlesfan]

Def agree with the strategies suggested...

We do say no in a firm but calm voice. I don't want to go down the route of shouting or using loud voices. I have a background in childcare and teaching and know this does not work in my experience.

As Sherlock says try to keep it positive too. We use a combination of no, but also say Imogen's name so she looks round at us, and then we say "come away" using a "come here" gesture... or we say "that's Mummy's" (e.g. if she picks up something of mine she shouldn't have etc.)

also we have taught her "ta" and hold our hand out so she gives us things she shouldn't have, e.g. old bits of toast she finds on the floor even tho we hoover regularly!!! Or if we leave a TV magazine out she likes to rip it so we say ta and she gives it to us most of the time..

also, as Red_Fairy says, try to make the rooms as baby safe as possible (commons sense, shifting of toys/furniture and a little planning) then it prevents the frustration. although I don't believe babies do things deliberately to wind up their parents (it may feel like that sometimes!!!) i do think babies understand that if they act a certain way or behave a certain way, they quickly learn the pattern of behaviour that will follow from mum/dad etc. e.g. when Imogen is near the cupboard she knows she is not allowed to open, she looks to us and smiles and pauses before trying to open it..... no flies on her on the other hand I think they are too young for detailed explanations and they won't get it overnight... they are naturally curious and need to learn what is ok to explore and what is not. It takes time and patience. it's hard for parents tho and blooming exhausting!!

We say, come away or come here or "what's this??" in an excited voice using distraction which is really the best way to deal with it IMHO.

Good luck with it and be reassured you are not alone!

 

[Beatlesfan]

I'll raise my voice sometimes, just to shock her usually into letting go of something, shes a bit jumpy with loud noises, if I need her to let go quick... but in general I just have to pick her up and move her away ....swap things over or distract her with other thing...

Just read this after I posted. Just wanted to say I know some parents use raising their voice to help children understand no or that what they are doing is not OK and I know it works for them fine. I just have found in my experience it has not worked for me or the children I have worked with or with Imogen. I think all parents need to do what is right for them and their babies/children. Didn't want people to read my comment and think I was judging.