How to Discipline an Infant

In today's society, discipline is often associated with punishment. But you can discipline your infant without spankings or time outs. All it takes is a clear plan and consistency on your part, so your baby learns the difference between right and wrong.

Instructions

1. Set firm limits. Decide what is okay and what is not okay for your baby. It could be as minor as hair pulling or as serious as playing on the stairs. You and your household should have clear guidelines for your baby.

2. Be consistent. If your baby gets away with it once, he might think he can do it again. At this age, consistency is how babies learn right from wrong.

3. Redirect his attention. Babies have a short attention span, so this is a good way to keep him from doing something wrong. If your baby is pulling your hair, hand him a toy and he'll likely begin to play with that. It's always good to keep a toy in your diaper bag, so you can use it for distraction if you're out and about.

4. Tell your baby what he's doing wrong. Babies understand more than you may think. Explain to him why he doesn't need to do that, and use clear words. When he grows older, these lessons will already be in his memory.

5. Provide daily routines. The American Academy of Pediatrics says this is the foremost way that parents can teach their infants discipline. Numerous studies have proven that babies strive on routine. But that doesn't mean you can't be flexible. Babies can be unpredictable, and sometimes you need to go with the flow.