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.

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

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!

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

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.

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!!

!