We all might think that how can anyone discipline a baby who is barely between the age range of 0 to 12 months? Well, it’s partially true that you cannot discipline them in an actual sense as they have no understanding of anything. But you might still consider explaining to them the difference between right and wrong behavior, which is part of disciplining young ones. Disciplining your baby can start as soon as they start crawling or understand the instruction even if they can talk. In this post, we shall discuss in brief when to start disciplining a baby along with some ideas on how to do so.
1. What is Discipline?
Before answering the query of when to start disciplining a baby it’s important to understand what discipline means.
Discipline is an act of controlling the behavior or act of people with what is morally considered right. It also constitutes the practice of training and controlling one’s mind and body to follow the rules and regulations set down.
In layman’s language, it’s one of the most important traits that people should acquire to complete a task in the way they are described or expected to be done.
One should be under controlled behavior not only physic wise but also mentally. Some of the well-known synonyms of discipline are self-control, self-discipline, and restrained behavior.
But the real question is when should discipline begin in one’s life? The most widely accepted answer known is as early as possible in early infancy.
2. How Can You Tell When to Start Disciplining a Baby?
Babies cannot be disciplined in a way toddlers are disciplined. Methods like time outs or taking away a certain privilege can work on toddlers to discipline them, but when it comes to infants they don’t have an understanding of these things. Hence a different approach is required.
There are a few signs that parents need to look out for to start disciplining their baby, which are discussed below:
2.1. When Baby Starts to Crawl
Most of the babies start to crawl or pull themselves up by the age of 7-8 months. And this is the period when kids are eager and wants to discover. This might lead to getting themselves in a dangerous situation and to avoid that parents must start disciplining them. A firm no shall be a good start to begin disciplining the child.
2.2. When Baby Starts Understanding Basic Instructions
When babies start understanding basic instructions or simple words like yes or no you can start disciplining them further. For instance, if a baby enjoys pulling hair or biting a sibling the parents must stop them with words. In case words don’t help use actions like talking their hand away from the hair or taking things away from the baby. In this way, they will learn what behavior is appropriate or inappropriate.
2.3. Observe Child Development
Every child is unique in its way and so are their developmental milestones. Some kids might understand the parent’s instructions as soon as they are 6 months old while others may take time and start understanding by say 9 months.
2.4. Understand Baby’s Personality
Every baby has a distinctive personality. While some need a firmer voice to understand and get disciplined. Others might need a softer tone and politeness while dealing with them. Understanding your baby’s personality is of utmost importance to get them disciplined.
3. Measures to Adopt
There are some guidelines that parents should follow to discipline their infant. It will not only discipline the baby but also create a safe and loving environment in the house.
3.1. Positive Parenting
Positive discipline strategies are wherein the parents use a positive approach in disciplining their wards. The basics of positive parenting constitute as follows:
- Helps in respectful communication between baby and parent.
- Enhances the relationship between the baby and the parents.
- Helps in building trust in babies.
- It has long-term effects unlike in the case of punishment which has tons of cons attached to it.
- Positive discipline discourages physical punishment.
3.2. Reward for Good Behaviour
Appreciating the good behavior of babies when they listen or obey your instructions is of utmost importance as it encourages them to obey even more in the future. The reward can be either verbal appreciation or giving whatever the baby likes, for instance, any particular toy or chocolate.
3.3. Set Rules and Boundaries Firmly
Certain consistent rules must be laid down in the house for all to follow. For instance, no shouting or screaming, being polite, and so on. And everyone in the family should follow these clear boundaries. Babies at a tender age understand by observing the environment. They will eventually understand the importance of rules and start following them.
3.4. Teach by Talking
How much ever the baby is small you should always communicate with them verbally as much as possible. Babies tend to quickly grasp the language people speak around them. We might think how can a small baby understand but talking is the most powerful tool to express yourself to a baby.
3.5. Practice
Always follow the famous proverb “Follow what you preach”. You must follow the rules set down. There are higher chances of babies learning through your actions rather than your verbal instructions.
3.6. Try to Deal with Baby Tantrums
If despite constantly trying to correct the baby’s behavior and trying to discipline them the baby is not listening, you might consider changing the technique you are following. It’s important to deal with baby tantrums with love and respect yet in a firm tone. Look out for signs of hunger, sleep, or distress which might be the triggering point for them to not listen to your command.
3.7. Redirect Baby
If despite instructing the baby they are not following it, sometimes to avoid unwanted behavior it would be good if you distract the baby. Simply hold them and relocate them to different places. Redirecting the baby to good behavior after refusing them will teach and encourage them to focus and adapt to the changed environment.
4. Do’s When Disciplining
There are some points you must consider when disciplining a baby, as stated below:
4.1. Try Gentle Parenting
Being gentle should top the list after all we are dealing with babies here. Parents should adopt gentle parenting to discipline their babies.
4.2. Be a Role Model
Children learn from their surroundings. They follow in the footsteps of the elders. Kids usually observe their surroundings and accordingly act. If you are disciplined then there are more chances of the baby being disciplined without being said much.
4.3. Have Patience
Dealing with babies can be quite exhausting and there might be good chances that you get frustrated. But you need to deal with the younger ones with patience and be persistent in your approach to disciplining them.
4.4. Let Them Have Little Freedom
Parents should not always be behind their children, correcting their behavior. If parents are constantly guiding the child and disciplining them, the baby might lose their confidence and also get irritated leading them to not listen to you.
4.5. Ignore Small Issues
Humans tend to make mistakes. There are high chances of babies making even more mistakes as compared to adults after all they don’t have an understanding of right and wrong. Parents should learn to ignore small issues that are not potentially dangerous for anyone. Sometimes letting go of things plays a positive role.
4.6. Be Consistent
This is the major key to disciplining your baby is being consistent and persistent. You can’t discipline them one day and not do it some other day. This action will confuse the child. Parents should be consistent in disciplining the baby.
5. Dont’s When Disciplining
The following points should be kept in mind when disciplining a child, there can be short-term advantages but, in the long run, it shall be disadvantageous:
5.1. Do not Shout or Screm
Screaming and shouting for bad behaviors will in no way curb the misbehavior of your baby. Rather it will make them even more aggressive and short-tempered. Though you should use a firm tone in case the child is not listening. But you should not adopt a shouting approach.
5.2. Don’t Overdo It
Baby discipline is crucial, but be careful not to overdo it. Anything done more than limits always has a negative outcome. There must some freedom give to children to take a few decisions on their own.
5.3. No Punish Harshly
Punishing with time out or taking away a certain privilege works well with toddlers and kids. But this method in no way will work in favor of the baby as they have nil understanding of it. Even physical punishment like slight hitting to discipline a baby should be strictly avoided. Any sort of hard punishment can impact the mental health of a baby.
5.4. Don’t Shame Baby
If your child misbehaves do not shame them in front of anyone not even their sibling. This might have lifelong consequences for them. Stay calm and use verbal or nonverbal ways to express your displeasure. Focus on correcting their behavior rather them shaming them.
5.5. Avoid Comparing Your Baby
Each child is different and so shall their developmental pattern will be. One child might be disciplined very early in life while another kid might take longer. Comparing will only demotivate your baby.
Conclusion
Though disciplining a baby is a challenging job but is also one of the most crucial aspects of parenting. Inculcating discipline should be done with a positive approach, love, and compassion toward the child. And to answer your query when to start disciplining a baby, as soon as you feel your baby is ready to take instruction from you.
The most significant thing to bear in mind is to treat the baby with love and care. After all, when they are unable to articulate their feelings, babies do throw tantrums. Parents in this situation should be patient and ensure that the youngster feels protected and cherished.
Last Updated on by Himani Rawat