9 Months-too young?

Question

Is 9 months too young to lightly bat a childs hand when they are touching something that they shouldn't? Like the trash can or something? I read in a book that parents should start setting boundaries about that age. That a gentle bat on the hand and a firm but gentle NO was appropriate. What do you think?

Geez, y'all are acting like I'm a child abuser or something. I would never hurt my child. I was just asking what your opinion was about what the book said. And to the one that said maybe the garbage shouldn't be around the baby, what do you think that I just put it in front of him to play with? Geez!

Answer 1

I am not totally against "batting", however, I think that this is more appropriate for training a puppy than a human. I think at nine months, the child will earn that batting at things or people is an appropriate communication form. It is hard to teach kids not to hit each other, and this will really be teaching them the opposite.
I think the firm "no" and distracting them from the inappropriate activity is enough.
good luck!

Answer 2

Setting boundaries doesn't have to mean hitting your child. The bones in a baby's hand are very soft and even a gentle "bat" can break them.
I would reccomend looking into non-violent punnishments for children.
Also, at 9-months old, your baby isn't going to understand why he's being hit. You can try to explain things to him, but really, maybe the garbage shouldn't be around the baby in the first place.
Check out the link below to find out more about child safety and various discipline methods that don't involve smacking an infant

Answer 3

9 months is a good age to start teaching limits, however, batting the hand is not necessary. Just say "No!" and move him away from the object. It has worked very well with my nephew. He is 13 months, and when someone says "No!" he immediately stops what he is doing and looks at them. Your child may be too young to understand why he cannot touch something or remember which things he can or cannot touch, but your child is old enough to learn what "No!" means. That helps you to keep your child safe.

Answer 4

If your child is doing something that they shouldn't be doing, especially if it is potentially harmful, I would say the hand-swat is in order. They are never too young to learn not to do the wrong thing.
And don't pay too much attention to people who say 'never hit your kids' because sometimes they really need to get the message that what they are doing is _really_ bad. Parents have been hitting their children for over 4,000 years, and it hasn't been until the last 20 years or so that the "no hitting" thing became all the rage. Just be careful, and know the limitations that are put out by child services in your state, because busybodies who have nothing better to do can report you if they think you are "abusing" your children.

Answer 5

Yes - way too young. A nine-month old doesn't understand what you're upset about. Move the damned trash! Babies that age naturally explore whatever they can touch, so it's up to you to make sure they can't get hurt. I've read books that said you could toilet train 6 month olds. I threw the book away. After 4 kids, I believe that there is no need to hit kids. Look at your kid. Learn from your kid. Take the time to deal with the problem instead of looking for instant results.

Answer 6

Yes that's fine . Just don't bat the baby on the hand immediatly. Pull him away and say no the first few times then do that. Don't just say no all the time, because you will grow into saying no when the baby is older and needs stronger boundaries. But I think you know what to do.

And listen when I see those crack head kids in their teens the first thing I say is that they were not whipped enough. You know.

Answer 7

I think it's fine. Children, just like adults, have to learn through more than just hearing and seeing. We also learn and grow as people through feeling. I am always one to talk and talk to my daughter about things that will hurt her and let her know the concequinces of her mistakes. She is 7, and every since she was a baby, I've warned her against the stove. A few months ago, she accidentily touched it and burned her hand. Those 7 years of me preaching at her about it didn't do a bit of good. But when she touched it and felt the consequences of it, needless to say, she steers clear of the stove now. This is why we have so many screwed up kids running around these days....either their parents beat them or they don't disipline them at all (no no honey, don't do that -- I'd hardly call that disipline). Anyway, you get my point. I think it's totally o.k. if you feel that your child is ready. Good luck!

Answer 8

We learn in Kindergarten to not hit so don't send mixed messages. Just be gentle, firm and consistent with the boundaries. The baby will learn what no means quickly.

Answer 9

I don't see anything wrong with it, I started about that age. They need to learn as soon as possible or else you will have heck when they start walking and get really curious!! The best thing to do (in my opinion) is when you see you child going for something he shouldn't, say NO! and if he keeps going then slightly bat his hand and say no no. that works for me. My son is almost one now and he will see something that I've said no to, and he'll say no no!!!! and give himself a bat on the hand. :)

Answer 10

No hitting of any kind is good. All you have to do is say a firm "no" and take the child away from the thing he/she is touching. Since babies are naturally curious it is best to put everything out of sight then you'll be less stressed out.