Can you discipline an infant? - Page 2

[nylecoj]

Well, obviously nothing has really changed yet, but I've taken a lot of suggetions from here and now when she slaps me, I very calmly remove her hand and say "gentle" while I gently pet her hand. Hopefully with time she will understand.

I also say, "Ow, that hurts mommy" sometimes, like if she's yanking on my hair (in a ponytail even!) really hard or something.

Thanks!

[lovemyfamily6]

Originally Posted by nylecoj

like if she's yanking on my hair (in a ponytail even!) really hard or something.

Thanks!

My baby is 5 months old tomorrow and I am amazed at his grip on my hair! I wear it in a ponytail all the time to try to keep it out of his grasp, but he gets the side (that's actually pulled in to the ponytail) and holds on so tight. I had forgotten how hard they can pull!

[mamahart]

hold her hug her and

just be careful not to wear earrings the sweet little thing can her hands on!

[August's Mama]

My son (3 1/2)did that at this age and my daughter is now doing it(10mos). My strategy is to get the skin/hair out of their hands and move on. I never said anything with my son and it eventually passed. I think if you give it any kind of attention it becomes exciting and interesting to baby.
Kat

[oliversmum2000]

would swaddling help?

[dulce de leche]

How about teaching her to give high fives? All of the noise, tactile stimulation, etc, but in a socially acceptable, non-violent way.

[bettysmom]

Originally Posted by chfriend

This baby is 9 months old. Surely even for behaviorists it's a little early for operant conditioning.

Oh, lordy! By no means am I talking about a Skinner box here. Does "Ow, that hurts, please be gentle" and a demonstration of gentle touch really rise to the level of evil "operant conditioning"? To each her own, but I think even a 9-month-old can/should be gently taught not to hit or otherwise hurt others.

[chfriend]

Manipulating the behavior of a child through rewards and withholding rewards is operant conditioning. Being worried about whether hugging a 9 month old will "reinforce the behavior" is based on a behavorist theory.

It's crept into the way Americans think about their innocent babies and strikes me as flat out weird.

[425lisamarie]

All you can do is the same constant thing and eventually it may sink in.... although I can bet it's just about the same time they would have stopped anyways

DD is 16 months and still does the scratching the face deal. It hurts sometimes, but I grab her hand and say "ow, that hurts mama, lets hug instead or how about a high five." Before now I just completely ignored and tried to prevent it from happening in the first place.