Babies younger than a year old do not understand how to obey, but they will be able to understand when mommy or daddy is not happy. Set limits and start to correct a child as early as the behaviors being to emerge. You can teach your child to not pull hair, to not touch certain things, and to not bite while nursing through consistent, appropriate correction.
Teaching Baby to Not Pull Hair
When your baby learns to pull your hair, begin to correct baby by saying “no hair” and releasing her tightened fist. Although your baby does not understand what you are saying, she will learn that when she grabs your hair, you always say “no hair” and make her let go of the hair. Be sure to not laugh, but to show baby that you are not happy by frowning and shaking your head. Through repetition she will learn that she is to not pull your hair.
Teaching Baby to Not Touch
“No touch” is not just a command to keep your cup safe on the coffee table, but it is a command that will keep your baby safe in a dangerous situation. Decide what you want baby to stay away from, and consistently correct her each time she tries. Some obvious ones include the stove, house plants, and cords.
Begin teaching her to not touch by saying her name, and “no touch” while squeezing her hand or simply taking her hand off. Snapping your fingers while saying the command from a distance will help to redirect her attention as well. There will be situations where your baby will continue to go for the forbidden object, and you will have to then physically move your child away and redirect her attention.
Teaching Baby to Not Bite While Nursing
If you are a nursing mom, you know the pain of having your baby bite you. While a baby is actively nursing, it is not possible for her to bite, so there are several options to help prevent these painful moments. Pay attention to when your baby becomes distracted or is finished nursing so that you do not provide opportunity for her to bite you. When she does bite, simply say “No bite” and take baby off your breast. Once again, through repetition, she will learn that you do not like it when she bites.
Babies have to learn through repetition that you do not want them to do certain things, but that does not mean that they are allowed to get away with it. Redirecting your baby’s behavior through consistent correction will help you teach her what she is allowed to do and what she is not allowed to do.
