how do i stop my 10 month old from being cheeky?

Question

Every time he does something wwrong and i tell him 'no' he starts spitting. i put him right to bed when he does it but it does'nt seem to work.

Answer 1

I really think you are already doing the right thing by putting him basically in a time out when he does this. Just keep it up and eventually he will tie the punishment to the crime, but at 10 months it will take time. Just make sure everyone does the same thing with him. Like Grandparents or anyone minding him. You just have to be constant in any punishment you give out and not give in.

Answer 2

Behavior like that is usually learned and/or reinforced through encouragement. Did you or someone else think it was cute at first and laughed at it? Be sure that when he does it that anyone around gives a "negative" reaction. When you put him to bed does he cry or in some other way seek attention, but continue doing it when he gets the attention? As long as you know he is safe in the bed (perhaps you have a camera monitor or can peek in without him seeing you), then just do as you have been doing by putting him to bed. You will have to be consistent. Even if you can't stop him from doing it, chances are the phase won't last long.
Of course you should also always give him more positive reactions when he behaves properly.
Good luck.

Answer 3

How much "wrong" can a ten-month old baby do? If he touches something he isn't supposed to (the tv buttons, cat, etc.) all you should have to do is take him away from whatever it is he is doing, say, "No, no. That will hurt you" and hand him something else to do (like one of his toys).

If he does something like spit (I've never seen a baby that young do that, but maybe he saw someone else do it - or was even taught to do it) just ignore him. If you don't react he won't get the reaction he may be looking for. Besides, he'll outgrow it if you ignore it for now and let him get to an age where he's past this particular thing. (Parents often have to live through their nine/ten-month old baby's pulling their hair because its funny or slapping them in the face because they think that's funny.)

There may be things you don't want him to do, but ten-month old babies just go around and do their thing. They are not old enough to know that they are doing "wrong"..

If he spits just put on a very somber face and say in a very calm and serious way, "Don't do that to Mommy." Do it in a way that shows little reaction and just says the words in a very low-key but obviously not pleased way.

Answer 4

No don't slap him!! I had an issue like this with an 18 month old child I was looking after last year who used to slap me whenever I did something she didn't like.

Firstly you should never tell a child 'no'. It's too negative! Think of what you are saying no about and think of some other way of putting it. 'Stop' works well because it makes them think about what they are doing. Try removing the child from the situation that's causing the behaviour that you don't want.

I tried everything to stop this child from hitting me and her mother. In the end, the thing that worked best was saying in a firm voice 'You do not hit me' and then walking away from the situation, or sort of...changing the subject. If I was holding her, I would put her down.. This way, she learnt that if she hit me she didn't get any extra attention, she would lose my attention all together.

Remember, a firm, serious voice can shock a child just as badly as a smack, with better results. And don't forget, its just a phase and it will pass...

Answer 5

It is impossible for a 10 month old to be cheeky, or even understand what no means. You can't modify the behavior of a baby. I suggest reading a book by Dr.Sears (you can find these online)...this can give you helpful tips. Your child cannot respond to your commands of "no" and you cannot control a baby like that. Putting him right to bed when he doesn't listen to you is holding him responsible for his actions...this shouldn't happen until he's AT LEAST TWO. Maybe this is why "it doesn't seem to work"...because he is WAY too young. Please read up on some parenting books, and the author I suggested would be great for you.
PS. Even if you are thinking, "well my baby is smart. He understands No"..the fact is..he is a baby. Treat him like one. Consequences of bed, spanks/taps, time-outs are appropriate for toddlers, not babies.

Answer 6

He doesn't like to hear "no", and when he spits, he gets a reaction from you. Be stern and do not react when he spits. He is too young to fully understand cause and effect, so punishment for this is ineffective. Soon he will find a new way to be cheeky, probably biting or slapping. Almost every child has phases like this.

Answer 7

Every child's brain develops differently and most are not ready to be disciplined by being put to bed when they do something wrong. Try sign language for the word stop. Say stop and make the sign whenever he spits. Do remember 10 months is very young even for a normally developing baby. Have mercy on him - he probably doesn't totally understand yet. Their memory on things is short too - so timeouts are not going to be effective - and may not be beneficial at all.

Answer 8

Your 10 mo is not old enough to reason with or understand that going to bed means stop spitting. Discipline doesn't work with babies as they don't have the cognitive functioning just yet to reason & associate such actions. Simply saying no will eventually get through when he is older.

Answer 9

Do not slap him like Allie suggested you do. How awful! Give him a love tap on the hand (literally, a tap, not hit, tap) and say "NO" very firmly. If that doesn't work, tap his cheek. Once again, a tap to get his attention. Don't slap. He's still a baby, afterall. He wouldn't understand why you're doing that. You want to go for the shock factor, not the fear factor. That's what you'll cause if you slap him. And if all else fails, the time-out in the crib is best. Good luck...

Answer 10

Don't use the word "no" directly. They will for sure do it again for purpose because they are curious and like to see you get angry. 10 months old doesn't know what is the meaning of "wrong". Try teaching them "good" and "no good" instead. When did good, clap loudly and cheer. They love to be praise

Answer 11

I read somewhere (actually a few places) that until a child is 18 months old they really don't understand "NO". They hear it at the moment and may correct their behavior, but forget it quickly and will repeat the offense. Your 10 month old is too young to understand what he is doing. Try redircting him to something that will distract him from whatever he was doing wrong.