When is it too soon to spank a child?

Question

I was changing my 6 week old's diaper (new parent! YAY!) and he knocked over the baby powder and it got on my shirt. Normally I'd chalk it up to being an accident, but this isn't the first time it's happened. It's like he's doing it on purpose.

Should I spank him now or wait another month or so? He's pretty small and cries really easy but his Grandma says he's smart so I think he might learn his lesson.

I just want to know what you guys think before I tan his hide.

Thanks.

Answer 1

id say give it another year or so... u cant be smacking no 6 wk old baby!

Answer 2

DO NOT SPANK YOUR CHILD NOW OR EVER. I don't think a child that age has the mental capacity to do things on purpose. Just move it out of his or her way and it won't happen again. they hands move all over the place an dit most likely just hit it. Even if your child is smart, a spanking doesn't teach anything except to be afraid of you because you equal pain. He or she won't understand why you are spanking him. Disciplining shouldn't really start until close to a year old when they have more understanding of what you say and then use time outs, not spanking.

Answer 3

He's 6 week's old. Do you really have to ask? He doesn't know what he's doing let alone do something on purpose. If you're thinking about spanking your baby when he's 6 weeks old what's gonna happen when he's 4 or 5 and spills his milk or wets his bed? Spanking is not an everyday solution to small problems, it's a serious physical punishment that should only be saved for when the kid really messes up. I think you need to get a grip on you temper.

Answer 4

DO NOT SPANK A SIX WEEK OLD!!! Don't listen to Grandma-spanking a child so young teaches nothing but fear. Fear leads to hatred. No one should spank a child before they can speak full sentences and know what they are doing. May I suggest not putting the baby powder where he can kick it over? Babies are pretty squirmy and kicking is very good exercise for them. To spank your little guy now would be very abuseful and would lead to him having way crazy psychological issues later in life, plus he would learn not to trust you or look to you for love. Not a very good way to start out being a parent. Maybe that way of thinking would have been acceptable in the sixteenth century, but not now. DON'T DO IT!!! Good luck to you and try to keep your patience-remember, your son depends on you for learning what life is, don't make it be a nightmare for him.

Answer 5

If the lesson you wish to teach is "physical force is the way to get what you want" go ahead and spank him... Just remember when he is older and hitting pushing or otherwise physically assaulting others you are the one who taught him this lesson...

Physical violence (spanking included) is not the answer... It distresses me that you would jump straight to physical violence when so many other options are available to you...

A much better solution would be to move the power out of kicking range when changing his diaper... You are the adult and it is your job to be smart and foresee his kicking... You said he has done it before so why was the powder in kicking range again???

Up until your child is old enough to understand time-out or other non violent behavior modification it is your job to police the enviroment remove items you don't want him playing /messing with...

Because you fell down on your job is no reason to punish him....

Answer 6

First of all, knocking over the baby powder isn't a spanking offense to start with.

Secondly, 6 weeks old is way too young to even consider spanking, period. More like 18 months before even remotely considering it.

Why are you in such a hurry to hurt your baby? At that age it would be considered abuse, the child is defenseless. You shouldn't even be allowed to parent a baby if you are thinking like that.

Some people should never have children, and you are one of them.

Answer 7

18 years. Then he can smack you back. Seriously though, a baby that young will not understand why you are hurting him and will lose all trust in you. Take responsibility. Don't put things within the baby's reach. He does not have any real control over his limbs yet, and won't for a few months. If he's knocking something over, it's your fault, not his. Smarten up, there is never a good enough reason to spank a child, and at that age, it's just abuse.

Answer 8

I don't know if you are kidding or not but your child is 6 weeks old and they are just learning to focus on things and it sounds like he is just curious at what you are doing with it. Like most children do. I think your child would pick up your voice on saying no don't do that or stop over a period of time, than you trying to spank them. Start early talking to your baby and they will pick up what your saying, just like they do when you tell them to say mommy or daddy. A 6 week old is in there learning stages and they are curious about everything. Think about that.

Answer 9

What is wrong with you? I think you should be reported for child abuse for even thinking about hitting a newborn. I don;t know where you ever got the idea that it is appropriate to spank or "tan the hide" of any baby, who has no sense of right and wrong--nevermind a newborn who hasn't even adjusted to life outside the womb. Furthermore, it sounds like you are excited to spank your child. I think you need serious counseling. I think Grandma needs help too, since that's probably how you got your warped ideas in the first place. Shame on you.

Answer 10

You're joking aren't you? What could a 6 week old possibly learn from being spanked? Tell you what, why don't you get someone to tan your hide for putting the baby powder somewhere that your tiny baby can knock it over?

Answer 11

Oh my, you're a brutal dad !

It is no use to spank kids before 2 years old, because until then they won't make the connection between what they did and what you do to them. All that you can achieve from spanking very little kids is that they will dislike you or even become afraid of you.

So don't do it !