When to start "correcting" behaviour?

[MrsSharp]

Just wondering when you think it is right to start "correcting" a child's/baby's behaviour.

My ds is 9 months and very active - in your handbag in a shot, up the stairs given half the chance! So far I have just been moving him away from anything I don't want him to touch and saying no - but should I be doing something more "structured", like saying "No" twice, and then moving him away? Etc. What about his interaction with other children? If he snatches a toy away/clobbers them round the head, should I be telling/showing him it is wrong, even though I'm not sure he can understand?

I want to start as I mean to go on, but on;y one minute he was a baby and "discipline" (in the loosest sense! He's not heading to the naughty step for a while!) was a long way away, and all of a sudden he seems like a proper little boy. I don't want people to think he is wild, but then I am also aware people will think I'm being unecessarily harsh with a baby who still doens't understand these things!

try not to say no, it's v sapping to keep on saying it

try 'steady' or 'careful'

put your handbag/valuables up out of reach, fit a stairgate, put locks on cupboards

awwww in two ticks he will be a strapping great 10yr old

I use a lot of 'careful's etc. with my 10 month old who is an absolute whirlwind! I do say 'no' as well but try to avoid using it too much. It works in so much as it tends to get her attention and the I can distract her with something else.

When it comes to beating up other babies etc. I tend to say 'ahh, gentle' or remove her and explain that it's not kind etc. etc. (more for the sake of the watching parents and older children than because I think it will sink in!)

Agree that prevention is better - definitely get a stair gate (except that DD pulls herself up on our and leans backwards!)

you cant really disapline him @ 9 months - he is a baby!! he's not a proper little boy, people will not think he's wild, he's only 9 months! i'm not saying dont tell him no and move away, of course you can and should do that, and distraction should work too. but dont think in terms of "disapline" as if he's been "naughty" because he cant be naughty @ that age, they just dont understand enough to be naughty.
prevention and distraction are better, it just gets them frustrated and starts to cause tantrums if they are constantly being told no so best to prevent in the first place. for eg put locks on cupboards then you can just leave him to it if he goes there, he will soon be bored with it if he cant get in, and no need for either of u to get upset by it then.
would do the structured stuff once they understand more, for proper toddlers like 2 yrs +. just saying no/careful or whatever u want to say, and moving them and distracting is plenty @ that age

With my girls at that age (and forever more) the "do this" description was more effective than "don't do that". Eg "let's share these toys with child x" rather than "don't snatch".

I think it sounds nicer, I didn't feel I was saying no/don't all the time, and I felt I was helping them play/explore safely rather than disciplining.

I remember my DS getting to 9 months and me suddenly finding him a handful sometimes!

It is a bit weird, like they aren't just your baby lying there smiling or crying.

He is still a baby though and a simple moving him away and ahh ahh is enough. No explanation or many words necessary yet, he will eventually get it.

Infront of others just do the same and laugh because they will see him as just a baby too, especially if they have an older toddler, they will think of him as even younger than you do IYSWIM.
I wouldn't notice a child as misbehaving until they are nearer two.

Just relax though as there will be plenty of time for being mortified at playgroup later, ha!

I personally think the word "no" can be used, but shouldn't be over-used. I would save it for situations such as if he tries to play with a plug or wire. This is dangerous and so a firm "no" and move him away, I think, would be appropriate. I would keep repeating this if he goes back to try again.

I would use "careful", "gently" or explanation for other situations such as snatching toys, and show him how it should be done. For example if he tries to snatch, take his hand and show him how to take something gently.

I don't see this as discipline, but I think at 9 months you can gently start to correct behaviour - in the same way as you would smile or clap if he does something positive. I wouldn't take it too seriously at this age though

I have been using the word no since dd was about 3 or 4 months old, and she started to pull on the breast which hurts a lot. I have since used ti to stop her playing near things she shouldn't and she has tested us out on it too. She knows where she shouldn't be and I can tell as she gives a very cheeky smile and plays with something else if shes trying it on. She is now 10 mmonths. I have only discipline for danger so far - or if it hurts me (hair pulling for instance). She hasn't made me use no for quite a while now.

This is all great advice, thanks!! Am glad that I seem to be doing things along the right lines. Will definitely try to avoid saying No too many times, and will continue to child-proof to area and distract him.

Thanks MN!