M.C. asks from Lewisville, TX on February 07, 2008
Help! My 11 Month Old Bites, Hits and Pulls Hair
... and it REALLY hurts. What do I do? He's only 11 months old. Does he understand?
More Answers
T.B. answers from Dallas on February 07, 2008
I agree with the other poster. He doesn't understand what he is doing but is starting to understand cause and effect. "I pull hair, bite or hit and Mommy says, no." He can get that.
D.W. answers from Dallas on February 07, 2008
At this age, they don't understand that they are hurting. As far as pulling hair, my friend used to pull her son's hair when he pulled hers. She never did it hard enough to hurt. Then one day, he pulled her hair and knew that she was going to pull his. So he pulled his own before she could. And of course he did it hard enough to hurt. He never pulled her hair after that.
V.B. answers from Houston on February 07, 2008
At that age, the only thing you can do is take his hands when he hits or pulls hair and tell him "no hitting" or "no biting" or "no pulling". Then, try to distract him with something else. He's a bit young for timeout and won't understand what it's for, so unfortunately, you can only keep trying to distract him and let him know in a firm voice that it is not okay.
C.L. answers from Austin on February 08, 2008
I totally agree with teresa C.
Stop the behavior, then say no, then redirect, redirect, redirect. All should happen in a matter of seconds.
It WORKS! :) This is how you develop respect and obedience in a child. If you don't do it now, you will pay dearly when they are 10 through the teens and possibly into adulthood.
The first three years are the developmental stages for a child, everything is so, so crucial at this time.
T.C. answers from Dallas on February 07, 2008
He doesn't understand that it hurts, but it's totally fine (and good) to grab his hands and say "no" and redirect him. It won't work to discipline him at this age. He doesn't understand, but he can be distracted and always receive a "no" when he does it. I think I saw someone mention pull your hair back. That is a great suggestion! I've done that often with my son.
Email