Teaching a baby what "NO" means
By jd107nette
@jd107nette (1454)
Philippines
March 27, 2012 1:05am CST
I was wondering if there's an age requirement for this.
Well, because when I was in singapore, my little 8 month old niece puts anything in her mouth. I know this is a normal. It is her own way of exploring things and a part of the learning process. But when she got a hold of the computer mouse and of the TV remote control, a cellphone, which are, if you'd agree with me, dirty... because it's usually the ones we hold even without bothering to clean our hands first. I told her "NO".
She was a quick learner and whenever she's about to put the mouse in her mouth, she will look at me first. When I say "NO", she would throw it away. I was so proud of my little niece, but when my brother saw his daughter's reaction to my instruction, he told me that i was being mean to her. She's a small baby and we should simply give her what she wants and teach her no when she's a little bigger....
What do you think of that?
thanks for posting!
1 person likes this
5 responses
@flapiz (23152)
• United Kingdom
27 Mar 12
Based on the developmental milestones it is normal for babies 12 months and below to put a lot of things in their mouth. Almost pretty much anything they could take hold of. Although as you were saying NO works pretty, NO is a kind of word that may indicate restrictions which may make the child grow into a dependent and unsure person. These years are very important in attitude formation so I guess NO should only be used in VERY extreme cases. Allow the child to experience. One way of learning is through the senses. Plus when you satisfies the child's oral needs she will grow into a trusting person.
I think the best way to make her safe and avoid ingesting poisonous chemicals is "child proofing" your house. Put all medicines on high cabinets away from baby's reach. Cover the electrical outlets when not in use and hang the wires. Give the child a theeter. And if she starts chewing something undesirable divert her attention.
1 person likes this
I was deprived of so many things when I was young that's why I have so many insecurities now. I know that it's wrong to feel insecured, but it's not easy not to for I was raised like this. 
@flapiz (23152)
• United Kingdom
28 Mar 12
I have insecurities too. Because my grandma in my father's side was very strict to me when I was young. Although I complied to her, I guess I grew up kinda shy and reserved.
I think it is very important for parents to know the proper developmental milestones of a child. Specially from infancy to preschool.
@shwetat195 (628)
• India
27 Mar 12
my 10 months also knows when we are about to say "No". so what he does is, when he is about to go out in the balcony, or about to hold the remote, or about to crawl into the bathroom....etc etc (for which generally say stern "NO")...he looks for us to say "No" and smile in advance with the little tongue out in naughtiness...but he does not stop and goes ahead with his plans and we have to chase him down and do the correct thing. what i feel is today the child knows the meaning of "No"...for this is the word he would listen to quite often...its really a fun to watch him learn these words.....
@shylade (3132)
• Philippines
27 Mar 12
teaching your little niece what NO means at her age is just okay. i remember when my son is like her age, i will say no when he is eating his hands. i will say NO when he is eating his toys then it perfectly works. he never used to putting anything on his mouth so i save him from getting germs and bacteria into his mouth as well.
1 person likes this
@wittynet (4421)
• Philippines
27 Mar 12
Parents have different ways of teaching their kids. If your brother doesn't like your approach, there's a need for you to comply because he is the father of the child. 
I remember what my sister told me. The child shouldn't be deprived of what he wants to do for he'll develop insecurity. I wanted to give my sister some tips on parenting, but it seems she's not open to suggestions. She's always saying that our culture is very much different from the country where they stay now. The right thing for me maybe wrong for them. I
I remember what my sister told me. The child shouldn't be deprived of what he wants to do for he'll develop insecurity. I wanted to give my sister some tips on parenting, but it seems she's not open to suggestions. She's always saying that our culture is very much different from the country where they stay now. The right thing for me maybe wrong for them. I 
@myzhian (584)
• Philippines
28 Mar 12
hi,
Babies really need constant supervision especially the toddlers to avoid such accidents and and to keep them away from any harm or danger. We must let them explore to feed up their brain and at the same time develop their physical body.
Although sometimes we say "NO" for reasons, which sometimes kids may misinterpret it."NO" is a word often use to stop,abort and oppose some actions and even babies or kids use this word too. We should make sure that if we say NO we should give an appropriate explanation why we stop them from certain things or action for them to understand and learn as well. Teaching NO to babies or kids will develop self discipline for them to say NO to themselves when they grow up.
