disciplining 13 month old - come and tell me if you think I handled this right

[flootshoot]

13 month old bit me today. I was sitting cross legged on the floor and he sank his teeth into my leg! I told him no, but he laughed and did it again (for some reason he thinks my stern face/voice are very funny . Anyway, I sat him up, looked him right in the eye and said very firmly 'no, don't bite mummy, that hurts'. He was sort of half smiling at me so I kept my stern face on and he started to cry (guilt!!). I then gave him a big cuddle and said in a sing song voice 'mummy loves you but you mustn't bit because it hurts.'

Does that sound about right? He's my first so it's a bit of a foray into the unknown for me. Normally if he's up to something I don't bother too much, just say no and then distract but on this occasion I wanted him to realise it was wrong as I don't want him developing a habit of biting.

[BoysAreLikeDogs]

that response is fine

you can also put him on the floor and walk away

It's not really disciplining at this age, more like shaping your response

[MrsSawdust]

Well it doesn't sound too bad, but my usual tactic in these situations with my toddler is to withdraw attention / affection. So I would've said "No, don't bite," then put him down somewhere and turned away from him for a minute.

But the fact that your stern voice had an effect on him is good - mine has no effect at all!

[Greensleeves]

I think you did fine

you know your own child's temperament and the normal timbre of your relationship

if he cried because he had made you cross, then a cuddle and reassurance is what is needed - which you gave, swiftly and without diluting the message

he sounds like a little duck and you sound lovely too

[Intergalactic]

When I read your title I thought "disciplining at 13 months? Bound to be OTT" - but actually that sounds fine. Probably better than me, I tend to be too soft and distract/laugh.

[flootshoot]

Thank you ladies (and gents if you're hiding there). I normally just say no to 'set the stage' as it were and don't bother too much about getting the message across, just distract etc. but he tried a few times and wouldn't take the hint and it really bloody hurt so I thought I'd best make sure he understood!!

!