How to Discipline a 1 Yr Old

My recommendation is that you read several articles on www.nogreaterjoy.com, especially those related to infants and toddlers. It might give you some insights on what you can do. It's not my website, just one that has helped me with my infant.

Hi D.,
I have a 5 year old boy and a 10 month old boy. My 5 year old was a biter probably until he was 2. I tried the biting back thing and it didnt work, it just made him more mad. What worked best is just putting him down and walking away and say no bite very sternly. All kids are different though. You are right he is a little young for biting back so what I would suggest at this age is just put him down and walk away from him for a minute or two and say no bite. Im also a 28 year old SAHM. My boys are sweet but they too can be a little fiesty! Its a boy thing! I hope this helps.

D. - Biting is extremely common and most children go through this stage so don't be worried that its only your child. My son, now 2, went through a biting stage and he bit a child at school when he was 15 months old. He was also bit when he was only 10 months old (several times by a girl going through that stage).

As for discipline, the response from Valerie is great. You are doing the right thing by saying no biting. Removing them from the play area or from the group is also very effective - Time out for 1 minute can be good too (or you can call it the "thinking spot"). My son when into time out as early as 15 months - it depends on the child but you may want to try.

I know you didn't ask but, my opinion on biting him back is that it only teaches him that rough behavior is okay as long as you are punishing another person. I was given some great advice - being angry, using physical force or yelling only teaches your child how to respond to the world's challenges. Showing them that even in the most frustrating times we remain calm, in control and follow through with their consequences, will give them great admiration and really show them who has autority. It also gives them a sense of security that you are providing a calm and loving environment.

Hope this helps.
B.

I think it just takes consistently catching him when he hits or bites and how that feels to the other person. And also praise him for when he is gentle and how the other child/person feels when he is gentle. He'll get it. It seems I read in a book about how kids under 3 have a hard time stopping themselves with their actions. Has to do something with the brain and the messages it gets, and how that message is delayed.... until they are older. I wish I could remember where I read that and how they put it. It helped me to be more undestanding with my kids at least. The book was about children't brains and I think it was called something like "What's going on in there". A baby/toddler's brain is much different than an older child's. I think when I understood more about it, it gave me more empathy.
Best wishes.

I have an 18 month old daughter and she hasn't done this, but my pediatrician actually spoke with me about these kinds of behavioral issues at her 12 month appointment and she recommended a reprimand using a short phrase (no biting or no hitting, etc.) and separation (i.e. walking away or putting them in their crib or a pack n play). Anything more than that at this age would not be understood. I think you're doing the right thing...you may just have to continue to be consistent EVERY time he does the behavior and eventually he will understand that it isn't acceptable. Also, if this is happening when he is really tired, maybe it's time to put him down for a nap when that behavior starts. My daughter has started throwing temper tantrums when she is really tired and a nap seems to do a world of good! She wakes up a totally different child. :-)

Good luck and just keep being consistent. Reprimand and separate (you don't mention that you walk away from him or put him somewhere by himself...this is key since they don't like to be away from us at this age...give it a shot!).

I know I will get some people upset but I advocate 2 things for 1 year olds.

1. A pat on the bottom with a firm no (it is not really going to hurt him through a diaper but it is going to let him know that is an unnacceptable action- biting, hitting, spitting, throwing things).

2. Quiet lap time with mom's attention. (for us that was always the rocker or couch)

When a 1 year old is tired they don't really have the skills to communicate that they have reached the end of their ability to deal with things nicely. Their ownly recourse is to physically demonstrate this.

When my children were this age they all did different things. Ex: throw toys, get louder, cry, become more active (trying to stay awake), climb into my lap. I always took them to the living room and rocked them talking softly, singing, humming, or just sitting quietly. They learned when they reached this point, then it was time to 'rest' even if they did not go to sleep.

As they got older I had them lay in bed or sit on the couch with a book for some quiet reading time. If they wanted I read a book to them and they 'read' one to themselves. This is your chance to start teaching him life skills in how to deal with things he does not know how to verbalize. ;-)

They learned right then about dealing with things and we never really had problems with the usual 2 yr old temper tantrums. They tried a few things they saw friends do, but never really tried to throw all out fits because they knew a better way to deal with frustration- quiet time thinking and talking quietly with mom to try to express feelings.

Good luck,
ts

I never had this problem with my child. However, have exp this with other children. I would def NOT suggest you biting them back. I think that is crazy...also defeats the purpose. A one year old cannot logicaly understand that mom is using this as a form of punishment but not intended to be copied.

I would def suggest you SIGNING more (if you don't already). One of the main problems parents have is a communication barrier. I signed a lot with my daughter...it worked out great.

If he STILL bites...SIGN "no bite" and seperate him. Stick him anywhere (preferably not the crib--this is a place to sleep, not punishment) for about a minute or so--this to them will feal like an eternity. My husband and I use a naughty chair. I will tell you this, the thought of the naughty chair makes her change her attitude very quick!!! Kids HATE seperation!! I think that is the best discipline in the world..

Best of luck to you and the little one :)

Take tips from the Nanny show on channel 13. They really work. I would just put him in the naughty corner over and over and over again until he understands that he can't do that. But you need to explain to him why you are putting him there even if you think he can't understand you.