How to Discipline a Baby

Although discipline and babies might not seem like they go together, but six months is not too young to start setting some boundaries for your child. Discipline for children this young should not be a matter of punishment, but rather a way to help even a very young child understand that some things are off limits. Discipline for babies should include a firm clear tone of voice, distraction, consistency, repetition, and eventually time outs.

Tone of Voice
Although some people advocate lightly slapping hands or bottoms for a misbehaving baby, this is really not necessary. A better reaction is to say "stop" or "no" firmly while using their name. The first chances for discipline may come while your child is being held. If a baby pulls on hair or ears you should firmly and calmly say "no" or "stop". A baby is not going to understand a long explanation, but a with firm tone of voice, they can learn that you don't approve of a behavior.

Distraction
As your baby gets older you should use the firm tone of voice along with distraction. For a child that pulls cords, touches the stove, or other unacceptable behavior, use the firm tone of voice and simple words. Then distract the baby from the bad activity with a toy or move them to a new area. You also begin to use longer phrases such as "don't touch", "be gentle", or "not for baby". It is better to use certain consistent phrases for wrong actions rather than saying "no" over and over. A constant barrage of "no's" will not be effective and the longer phrases will begin to teach your baby language skills.

Consistency
In order for discipline to work for a child of any age parents must be consistent. Discipline methods and rules should be consistent with all caregivers. This also includes being consistent when you discipline your baby. You should not discipline for something one day and then let it go the next. Consistency is the best way for your baby to understand the boundaries, so that he or she can begin to recognize bad behavior. It is very important when disciplining a baby to pick your battles. You cannot correct every little thing. Concentrate the discipline techniques on the important ones. For some less important problems it may be better to just pick your child up and go on to something else.

Repetition
In addition to consistency, repetition is key to disciplining babies. A baby will not understand or remember rules and boundaries without a lot of repetition. Discipline for babies should only be used therefore, for important issues. Behavior that hurts someone or is dangerous should be corrected. You may have to say the discipline phrases over and over but eventually a baby will understand that the behavior is not acceptable.

Time Outs
As a baby grows you can also add short timeouts as a discipline measure. A minute or two of timeout in a crib or playpen can be great discipline tool. This should only be used once you have repeated a "don't" or "stop" instruction a number of times. Once you think your older baby understands not to do something, a timeout can be a great way to emphasize the rule. Timeouts can start as young as ten months, but you should judge when of if you think your baby is ready for time outs. A timeout can be particularly useful if you tell your baby "don't" or "stop" and he or she goes right back to doing the same thing. At this point, a minute or two alone in a playpen or crib with no interaction from you can help a baby understand that he needs to listen.

A few things to remember about disciplining a baby. A baby who is tired, hungry, sick, teething, or needs a diaper change should not be disciplined. Babies are naturally cranky for any of these reasons and this is not the best time to get through to them. Although you should use a firm adult voice and simple words, you should not show anger o frustration. As your child grows you can expect more from them and expect them to follow more rules and listen, but discipline for babies should begin with harmful or dangerous situations. As your child begins to understand his world, the need to listen, and do what you say you can slowly add expand discipline to less important issues.

Although it might seem that babies are too young for discipline, a child who is able to explore and move on his own can begin to be taught boundaries. Beginning discipline can be as simple as a tone of voice and distraction and eventually include consistent and repetitious correction. Finally as a baby understand his environment, more and more time outs can be added to teach good behavior. If you start using discipline techniques while your child is a baby, you may also find it easier to impose discipline through the toddler and early childhood years.

Sources:

http://www.parents.com/baby/development/behavioral/gentle-discipline-for-babies-and-toddlers/

http://www.babycenter.com/404_should-i-discipline-my-baby_6884.bc

http://www.parenting.com/article/Baby/Behavior/5-Discipline-Tricks-for-Babies/1