Baby understanding the word no

Try saying a “no” to your baby and you will be rewarded with a lot of drama and waterworks or just be neglected. If your baby is not old enough to understand the word “no”, the word will have no meaning to them and so they will ignore it, no matter how affectionately or forcefully you use it. So, when do babies understand the word no?

Babies can understand and tune into your emotions and temperament much earlier than you would imagine. Despite knowing you are displeased or do not approve of what they are about to do, they will do it. This is not to defy you, but it is their way of exploring and understanding the big world around them.

In This Article

• Teaching Discipline to a Baby – Is it Possible?
• When Do Babies Understand The Word “No”?
• Top 4 Easy Ways to Discipline Your Baby
• FAQ’s

Teaching Discipline to a Baby – Is it Possible?

Disciplining a baby can be hard but not impossible. It requires a lot of patience, time, and effort from the parents. Remember, your baby is just curious and exploring. They are not trying to defy you. You need to discipline them with patience and love.

When Do Babies Understand the Word “No”?

Using the word repetitively followed by action can teach your baby the meaning of the word “no”. Saying no and stopping them from doing what they are about to, will teach your baby the meaning of the word. A baby can understand this around 10-18 months of age. However, each baby is different and some babies may need a little more time.

Top 4 Easy Ways to Discipline Your Baby

Though disciplining has been a strict and harsh process in the past generations, it need not be so for your baby. Here are a few ways in which you can lovingly yet effectively discipline your baby:

1. Don’t be Too Strict With Them

Babies are meant to explore their surroundings and their abilities. Stopping them from doing anything can be the safest way to protect them but that will only hinder their development. So, don’t be too strict with them. Give them some room for exploration and growth.

2. Be Patient With Them

Remember, a baby’s brain development is very limited. What you teach them today may not be remembered tomorrow. Their memories are short, and their curiosity is very high. So, even if you tell a no or teach them something several times, they will take a nap, wake up and do it again. You need to keep reminding them lovingly despite it being a test of your patience.

3. Don’t Always Say No

Parents are famous for using the word “no” more than any other word. It is natural to stop your baby from doing anything dangerous or harmful. However, you need to let them learn and grow. Give your baby opportunities to make mistakes, fall, and learn from those experiences. If you say “no” to everything, babies will start finding ways to do things behind your back, which can be very dangerous.

4. Praise Them and Show Them You Care

We are all quick to correct mistakes and point out faults. Parents must be equally quick to note the positives too. Let your baby know you notice the good things and won’t hesitate to appreciate the good behavior too. Let them know you see the good in them and love them no matter what.

Saying a “NO” is not wrong and is necessary for parenting. Similarly, babies defying a “no” is not wrong either. Disciplining your baby can be a constructive journey without much of a power struggle if you are patient and loving with them despite everything.

FAQ’s

1. What Can I Say Instead of Saying “No” to My Baby?

Instead of saying a blunt no, explain the situation to them. Tell them about the consequences of the action. When you take the time and put in the effort to explain, your baby will respond better.

2. Can I Let My Baby Face the Consequences Instead of Saying a “No”?

If it is not anything dangerous, letting them face the consequence can sometimes be a better way of teaching than saying a “no”. Babies tend to remember such lessons better than the caution “no”.

3. Is it Okay to Use the Word “No” With My Baby?

It depends on how you use it and why you use it. It is important to teach your baby to hear the word “no” as they are not going to hear just “yes” as they grow up.

Read Also: When Will My Baby Speak Her First Word?

Teaching your baby to listen to the word “no.” Baby can understand what no means and respond appropriately. This post discusses how to accomplish this.

Many people believe a baby is not capable of understanding the word no until they are “older.” I am not sure exaclty what age “older” is, but it seems to be older than baby is at the moment or until baby is around a year.

Once baby hits a year and becomes a toddler, then baby just won’t listen.

The truth is, baby will learn words early on that are heard often.

I distinctly remember my children showing an obvious understanding of the word “kisses” at 5 months of age. Every time I kissed them, I said “Kisses!”

At 5 months, they started giving me kisses with them initiating it. So I would ask for it, and they would comply and come at me with a wet, slobbery, open-mouthed kiss (which I of course loved).

Despite the fact that I belive my children to be very smart, I do not think they are unique in the ablity to understand words at a young age. Other children can understand words that young, also.

Children understand words long before they are able to speak them.

As soon as you see a need for correction, I would recommend introducing the method you are going to follow.

You need to choose what you want your method to be. The word “no” can easily become overused, but I don’t think that needs to be stricken from your vocabulary.

Tips to Teach Your Child To Understand “No”

Here are some strategies I used to correct my children even as babies. Even a baby needs to be corrected at times.

Here are some tips to help you get your little one to understand and listen when you say “no.”

Become Aware of Your Child’s Personality

If you aren’t naturally an intuitive person when it comes to people’s personalities (not everyone is), work to learn how to do so.

I think the job of mother quickly teaches us this skill, but the sooner you become good at it, the better.

This requires you to accept the fact that every person has their own strengths and weaknesses. Every person, including babies, have their own personalities.

We are all different, view things differently, and communicate differently. Try to get to know your child.

One big impact on your child’s personality will be birth order. Read up on that here.

Brayden has always been a dutiful child who is very obedient. He does what he is asked far more often than the averages given in Toddlerwise.

When Kaitlyn came along, I could tell she was a little more intent to do what she wanted; however, she also tested her boundaries far less often than Brayden did.

McKenna was a strong-willed baby and toddler. She tested and pushed boundaries often. Brinley always seemed so easy as a baby.

Does your child respond better to positive reinforcement? Most, if not all, do.

Some are far more in need of positive reinforcement than others, though. My husband is one. He needs to be told he is doing a good job.

If there is ever something I want him to be better at doing (like, putting his socks in the hamper), the best way to go about it is for me to wait, catch him in the act, and thank him for doing so. He will then do it consistently.

If I go to him and say, “I would like it if you put your socks in the hamper instead of on the floor,” he would not respond as well.

Does that sound odd? Honestly, it does to me. I would rather you come up to me and tell me to put my socks in the hamper. But my husband is the way he is.

It took his parents several years to figure this out when he was a child, but they say it made a world of differnce with him.

Brayden is the same way. I recognized it somewhere between 6 and 9 months. There was no question I had another “praise junkie” on my hands. I don’t mean praise junkie in a bad way; they just need more praise than I do. I believe Kaitlyn is more like me in that area.

As the years went by, I learned about the 5 Love Languages. Your love languages has a huge impact on how you respond to correction. Little ones who like a lot of prase might have words of affirmation as their primary love language.

No matter how strong the inclination toward this, your child will prefer to be thanked for doing a good job to being scolded for a bad one.

Get to know your child and you will have an easier time adapting discipline for him or her.

Decide on Rules

Before you can correct a child for doing something wrong, you have to decide what “wrong” is. Certain things are obvious, but other things will be depended on you.

Do you want baby to be able to pull your hair? Do you want baby to be able to put fingers in the food? Do you want baby to blow raspberries while eating? Do you want baby to touch the plant?

Look around and set some boundaries.

When Brayden was a baby, I didn’t have much in his path that I minded him touching. I had set the house up so that it wouldn’t be in his way.

When he was around 9 months, I remember establishing a couple of things as “off-limits” for him to touch, not because I necessarily minded the way he played with them then, but I knew he potentially would get more aggressive in his play as he got older.

I also wanted to have some things to be able to start working on obedience with him.

So make sure you have changes to correct your little one.

Another hint for rules, make sure you and your spouse are in agreeance on the rules and boundaries. Consistency is very important with correction.

Decide on a Phrase

On Becoming Babywise II (affiliate) has the phrase idea of “that’s a no.” I love that–it is what I use. I like it better than a simple “no” because it takes more effort for me to say, so I know I won’t start to say it out of habit.

I also think I am able to say it with more conviction that just “no.” Pick whatever phrase you want. Keep it consistent.

When your baby does something or touches something she shouldn’t, use your phrase.

So if baby grabs the houseplant, you say, “That’s a no.”

Decide on a Method

You need a game plan of how to respond. You want to be consistent so your child knows what is okay and what isn’t.

Your goal here is to teach baby to listen when you tell her no. You don’t want her to just understand that “no” means it isn’t okay. You want her to stop the action.

Here is the method I followed.

First, I said the name of the child to establish eye contact. I have a look I give my children when they do something they shouldn’t.

Without thinking, I give the look before I say anything else. When Kaitlyn was 9 months old, she would respond to just the look without me having to say a word.

After the look, I would say, “That’s a no” firmly.

Remember what Babywise II says about letting your child have some dignity. If you have a strong-willed child, it might be good to look busy with something after you say, “That’s a no” and give your child the chance to stop doing what he is doing without feeling like he is losing some battle.

>>>Read: How to Keep Your Kiddo Still for Diaper Changes

If he doesn’t stop, I would repeat the above steps.

Also, give your child some time to respond before you take your actions further. Your baby needs to process that you said no, decided whether or not to listen, and then respond.

At that point, redirection is a good idea. If he is playing with the plant and you tell him that is a no, suggest you read a book or play with this or that toy.

Give him some ideas to move on to.

If he will not listen, then you physically move him to another activity. You even thank him for stopping. “Oh thank you for stopping touching that plant. Let’s come over here and play with these toys.”

So let’s recap the steps here:

1. Get the mom look
2. Say your baby’s name
3. Wait for eye contact before giving instruction. If your baby will not look at you, physically go to your baby so your baby must look you in the eye. You can even gently turn your baby’s head to look in your eyes if needed.
4. Say, “That’s a no.” You might even add “We do not touch the plant.”
5. Pretend to be busy with something so your child can surrender with dignity. Give him a chance to stop.
6. If he doesn’t stop, repeat steps 1-5. Add in some redirection. “That’s a no. We do not touch the plant. Come play with these toys over here.”
7. If you get here and he isn’t listening, physically move him somewhere else.
8. No matter the point when he listens (even if it is step 8), thank him for listening to you.

Note that with older ages, you will start to add in a “yes, mommy” step.

>>>Read: How to Discipline Your Strong-Willed Child

Have Realistic Expectations

Can you expect your baby to respond to your directions?

Absolutely!

You should expect a response. People rise to expectations. Even babies. But keep your expectations within reason.

What is within reason? Toddlerwise says a two year old will comply 60% of the time. A three year old, 70%. A five year old, 85-90%. That gives you an idea of what you can expect from your baby.

This doesn’t mean that if you have a two year old you accept him ignoring you 40% of the time. You don’t say, “Oh, this is in that threshhold, I’ll move on and try again.”

It just means your child is normal and for his age when he doesn’t listen. You still work on getting obedience and still follow through on the steps above (these statistics found on page 94 of Toddlerwise).

>>>Read: How Often Can You Really Expect a Child to Obey

Payoff

When Brayden was 11 months old, we went to visit some friends. They had no children yet and had some nice books right at his eye level.

He was drawn to them. He went over and I told him, “that’s a no.”

He left them alone for a while. He returned several times to the books, but never touched them.

I was glad to be able to visit somewhere and be able to require my child to respect the property of others. I was glad I could tell him something was off-limits without a crying fest breaking out.

When Brayden was a young toddler, I was pregnant with Kaitlyn. I didn’t feel well ever during pregnancy. At our park, we have really steep stairs that lead to a high playground.

It isn’t safe for a young toddler alone.

He would go to the stairs and I would call out, “Brayden!” and wait for him to look at me. “That’s a no.” He would then shake his head no and move on to something else.

I didn’t have to run after him. If I did, we wouldn’t have spent much time at the park. So it was to the benefit of both of us that he listened.

As I mentioned earlier, Kaitlyn really didn’t test me as much, but things happened.

One day, she blew raspberries with a full mouth of food. Not fun for me to wear baby food. I just gave her a look and she stopped.

Her personal biggest challenge was biting me while nursing.

Kaitlyn had no teeth yet, but every now and then got a glint in her eye and slowly bit down. It didn’t hurt in the least, but I would tell her firmly “Kaitlyn, that’s a no, you don’t bite your mamma” and detach her.

It was hard for me not to smile because she knew what she was doing was wrong and got a kick out of it…but I knew I wouldn’t be smiling once those teeth came in, so I wanted to correct this issue before she got those pearly whites.

As time went on, she got to the point that would see that glint enter her eyes and I just gave her a look that said no.

She just smiled at me and continued on without biting. She had a little smile on her face, like she had been caught and thought it amusing, but no biting.

Conclusion

Babies will test their boundaries. Babies are little scientists.

Are the boundaries the same today as yesterday? They want to know.

Keep your patience and teach them over and over what is and isn’t acceptable. Remember, consistency, consistency, consistency!

So long as you keep your expectations in check, you can start to teach your child to obey from a very young age. It will make your toddler years a lot easier.

• Discipline Foundations for Your Baby
• Discipline 101: The basics of correcting children
• Actions Precede Beliefs
• How to Respond When Your Kiddo Tells You “No”
• Distraction as a Discipline Tool
• Encouragement as a Discipline Tool
• Teaching Child to Come When Called

• jahanschen said…
  I can see the glint in your daughter’s eye because my son does the same thing! He started biting at about 2 months. I would tell him “no bite” sternly and tap his cheek. He is 6 months now and still has no teeth; however, he is teething and I can tell they’re coming soon. When he looks at me like that, I know what’s coming and I say “no bite,” and he doesn’t! I want to breastfeed for a year, so I was quick to nip it in the bud. I have also raised a couple of teething puppies. I hate to say it, but the same thing works with them!
  February 5, 2008 12:24 PM
  Plowmanators said…
  It’s true, many of the same ideas can be applied to both human babies and animal babies. I was raised around animals my entire life. Consistency is something important no matter what the species 🙂
  February 5, 2008 12:55 PM

Reader Questions

• Katey Magill said…
  What do you think about hand slapping/ flicking/ squeezing?February 22, 2008 1:10 PM
  Plowmanators said…
  This is a very sensitive subject for many people. Personally, I don’t do any of the above or spanking.However, I really do think most parents do the best job they can for their children. If they think spanking is the best option and works, it isn’t my job to judge that.I do think that the parent can find another way. There are a variety of discipline methods out thre. I think if you spend some time getting to know the personality of your child an his or her currency, you can come up with something that doesn’t involve physical means.If I were to find that a child I had would only respond to spanking, I would have some basic rules for myself. One would be that I could never do it while angry or frustrated. No one really thinks they will go to far, but it happens. The best person in the wrong situation can do wrong things. I find it better to just stay as far from the line as possible. You might wonder how you could ever be angry or frustrated toward your sweet baby…just wait until he is a toddler :-). Another rule for myself would be one swat. Another rule would be it can’t be hard enough to cause pain at all, only to get attention. Like I said, it isn’t what I do or what I would do. I am sure it works for some kids, but I also think something else would work equally as well or better. Other things do take more time and effort, though. But even my 10 month old has responded to nothing but verbal correction. It can be done! That’s my opinion.
  February 22, 2008 2:50 PM
• LHS Class of 1998 said…
  Val-First as a daily follower of your blog, I want to wish you and your family a HUGE congratulation on your new baby news!!!! I remember and older comment of yours about purchasing a video monitor for your 3rd baby because you have all the girl/boy things. I just bought one a few months ago for my 10 month old and I can’t tell you how MUCH I love it! You will be very surprised what they do during their naptimes that you never knew (stand up, roll around, sit up, and then go back to sleep without a sound!)Okay here is a question that I have really being wanting to ask you pertaining to discipline:- First, I love your/Babywise “that’s a no”. I have been using this line since day with my little guy and he has always responded amazing well to it. Lately for the past week with the things that he knows is a “no” he has been testing his boundaries and “touching” or “going” with it. What do you suggest for this behavior? Do you just remove them, squeeze their hand, swat their hand, etc. I would love a good detail suggestion of what you do for this area of discipline.As always Val, thank you so much for your writings. We especially thank you during this time of pregnancy for answering our questions!!Megan:-)
  September 26, 2008 9:10 PM
• Plowmanators said…
  Megan, Thanks for the congrats! Thanks about the video montior. We have already been looking into them. I think it will be awesome.His behavior of testing limits is totally normal and will happen over and over throughout his life :). But that doesn’t mean you sit back and accept it. I will first direct you to these posts, then let me know if you need further clarification: How to Know What Freedoms To Give Baby, Discipline Strategy: Surrender with Dignity, The “Mini-fit” , and this is for older, but you might find some ideas: Tantrums and Discipline
  September 29, 2008 11:27 AM

This post originally appeared on this blog in January 2008

When will my baby start to understand the word “no”?

This is a very common question among parents with babies around 6 – 18 months, who are just starting to be able to discover the world for the very first time. 

For these kiddos, everything is fun! Including the outlets, their sisters “special toys,” the family pet, and anything else you don’t want them to touch! The earliest that children can understand the word “no” is around 9 months old. Even at this time, it takes a lot of reminding. For some children, it can be closer to 18 months before they truly understand what “no” means.

4 simple steps: connection, set expectation, teach, praise

These four steps can be a very effective and simple way to teach your child not only to understand the word “no,” but to also learn a new skill at the same time! When we say “no” to our child, it is important to show them what “yes” is at the same time. We want them to learn new appropriate things they can do when they are tempted to do the “no” behaviour. Here are some examples that tie this together:

Example: Your child is hitting your family cat.

Instead of:

“No hitting kitty”

“Stop hitting kitty!!”

Try:

Connection: “Looks like you are trying to play with kitty”

Set the Expectation: “No hitting kitty, it hurts her!”.

Teach them: “Yes, be soft to kitty” guiding their hand softly on the cat.

Praise: “Great job being soft to kitty!”

Example: Your child is yelling at you to get a snack.

Instead of:

“No whining!”

“Stop yelling at mommy!”

Try:

Connection: “It sounds like you are really hungry and you want a snack.”

Set Expectation: “I know you are really hungry, but I need you to ask me nicely for a snack… could you try that?”

Teach them: “Hey mommy, I’m hungry and need a snack – try saying it like that.”

Praise them: “I love how nicely you asked mommy! Here is your snack!”

Consistency is Key! In order to teach no, we need to be consistent with our “no’s.” Consistent loving boundaries keep kids safe and are a great way to love our little ones! Keeping your response to “no” behaviours consistent helps kids know what to expect, and will help them learn quickly.

Guard Your “No”: One research study revealed that many babies/toddlers here the word no up to 400 times a day! This research also suggests that the more a child hears the word “no” the more “no” loses its meaning. Try to use your “no” when you truly mean it and when you can follow through.

Give Yourself and Your Child Grace: It can be so frustrating when your newly walking baby is into everything. It can feel like they are intentionally trying to drive you nuts! The truth is, they are just learning and discovering the world for the first time. They are not intentionally trying to drive you crazy. They are trying to figure out what the boundaries are, what safety is, and what behaviour and activities are “yes’s” and “no’s”. In this season of life, give yourself and your child a lot of grace as you both figure out these boundaries! It can be a tough season, but soon they will understand “no” and “yes.”

Some infants start to understand what “no” means at around 6 months, but most won’t stop what they’re doing in response to the word until they’re somewhere between 12 and 18 months. When your baby gets into mischief, calmly tell him no and try to interest him in something else.

How do you classify a child’s age?

Some age-related development periods and examples of defined intervals include: newborn (ages 0–4 weeks); infant (ages 4 weeks – 1 year); toddler (ages 12 months-24 months); preschooler (ages 2–5 years); school-aged child (ages 6–13 years); adolescent (ages 14–19).

How do you know if your baby has intestinal problems?

In breastfed or formula-fed babies, a physical condition that prevents normal digestion may cause vomiting. Discolored or green-tinged vomit may mean the baby has an intestinal obstruction. Consult your baby’s physician immediately if your baby is vomiting frequently, or forcefully, or has any other signs of distress.

How can I improve my baby’s digestive system?

Feed the baby smaller amounts, but feed more often. Smaller meals can aid digestion and prevent stomach contents from refluxing into the esophagus. Feed slowly, holding your baby upright throughout the feeding and directly after. Burp your baby often during the feedings.

What is Ghost parenting?

Ghost parents don’t show up for meetings. They don’t respond to emails, phone messages, or notes. They may not read newsletters, and often need reminders to initial tests or sign permission forms. It’s easy for educators to assume that this is due to lack of love or care, but often this is far from the truth.

How old do children have to be to understand no?

Children under the age of three do not understand “no” in the way most parents think they do. (And, a full understanding of “no” doesn’t occur magically when the child turns three.

What does your child under three really ” know ” about ” no “?

What Does Your Child Under Three Really “Know” About “No”? Children under the age of three do not understand “no” in the way most parents think they do. (And, a full understanding of “no” doesn’t occur magically when the child turns three.

When do babies start to understand the word no?

When will my baby understand “no”? Some infants start to understand what “no” means at around 6 months, but most won’t stop what they’re doing in response to the word until they’re somewhere between 12 and 18 months. When your baby gets into mischief, calmly tell him no and try to interest him in something else.

What does it mean when a child says ” no “?

It is a developmental process.) “No” is an abstract concept that is in direct opposition to the developmental need of young children to explore their world and to develop their sense of autonomy and initiative, as discussed in Chapters 4 and 5 of Positive Discipline for Preschoolers. Oh, your child may “know” you don’t want her to do something.

When does a child develop the ability to say no?

Language development grows significantly, which leads to learning the names of objects of interest, the ability to ask for things, and as they discover their independent nature, yes, they develop the ability to say, “No!” During this developmental stage, a major challenge is developing what psychologists call emotional regulation.

Babbling turns into baby jargon, or “nonsense speech.” The word no – Between 6 and 11 months of age, your baby should learn to understand the word no and will stop what he is doing (though he may immediately do it again!).

How old is a child when they start to develop?

Development table: 18 months to 2 years 3 to 5 years old During these pre-school years, children grow more and more independent and capable. Their natural curiosity is likely to be stimulated because their world is expanding: new friends, new experiences, new environments like daycare or kindergarten.

When did your child reach a developmental milestone?

Children reach milestones in how they play, learn, speak, act, and move (crawling, walking, etc.). Click on the age of your child to see the milestones: 2 months. 4 months. 6 months. 9 months. 1 year. 18 months.

The very earliest baby can recognize or understand the meaning of “no” is at nine months. And even after that, it can take a lot of reminding. Here’s how to handle baby when he’s doing something he shouldn’t.

Distract. Baby pulling your hair or messing with the dog’s tail? Put him down, or take him to another room away from the dog. Show him a toy he’s allowed to play with, and he’ll probably forget all about the trouble he was causing.

Talk positively. Say baby’s hitting. Instead of just saying, “no hitting,” follow it up with what he should be doing: In a calm voice, say “gentle” while showing him how to touch, gently using your own hand.

Prevent. For infants and toddlers, negative behaviors can stem from frustration, being over-tired or a change in schedule. If something’s off today, know it’s prime time for trouble. Try to prevent it by putting baby down for a nap or keeping the dog behind the baby gate (and maybe put your hair in a ponytail).

Be consistent. Don’t laugh at the behavior even though it may be cute initially, because it sends mixed signals. Baby might want to do it more if it elicits a laugh. Some parents wonder if they should bite baby back or pull his hair to teach him that it hurts, but seriously don’t — it would just send the wrong message!

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.

Plus, more from The Bump:

How do you get your baby to understand no?

Show him a toy he’s allowed to play with, and he’ll probably forget all about the trouble he was causing. Talk positively. Say baby’s hitting. Instead of just saying, “no hitting,” follow it up with what he should be doing: In a calm voice, say “gentle” while showing him how to touch, gently using your own hand.

Can you teach a baby no?

Amy Pomerantz: When a baby starts crawling well, usually between 6 to 8 months, they start to understand the word “no.” Using the word “no” strategically. Physical redirection is helpful, too. Say no and move your baby away when they get too close to something unsafe or when they bite.

What do you say to a baby instead of no?

Stay positive When you’re tempted to say “no”, try to rephrase it as a statement about what your child can do, rather than what she can’t. For example, instead of, “No throwing the ball in the living room!” you could say, “See if you can roll the ball down the hall,” or, “Remember, we only throw balls outside.”

When should I start teaching my baby ABC?

Most children begin recognizing some letters between the ages of 2 and 3 and can identify most letters between 4 and 5. This means that you can start teaching your child the alphabet when he’s around 2 — but don’t expect full mastery for some time.

Why is it bad to say no to babies?

According to Dr Markham, saying no to your child helps with setting boundaries and limits, which aid in their development — emotionally, physically and mentally. Never saying it, Dr Markham says, can leave children ill-equipped to deal with the real world.

What letters should be taught first?

Letter-Sounds Correspondence Teach the sounds of letters that can be used to build many words (e.g., m, s, a, t). Introduce lower case letters first unless upper case letters are similar in configuration (e.g., Similar: S, s, U, u, W, w; Dissimilar: R, r, T, t, F, f).

How can I determine if my baby is deaf?

Signs of hearing loss in your baby can include: Not being startled by loud sounds. Not turning toward a sound after he’s 6 months old. Not saying single words like “mama” or “dada” by the time he’s 1 year old. Turns his head if he sees you, but not if you only call out his name. Seems to hear some sounds but not others.

Are kids allowed to say no?

We really feel that it’s important for children to know we all have the right to say no and that it is ok if people’s reactions are not happy. In time, they will learn from us and hopefully they will even begin to say no when they are not aligned with an action or behavior.

Do babies understand kisses?

Around the 1-year mark, babies learn affectionate behaviors such as kissing. It starts as an imitative behavior, says Lyness, but as a baby repeats these behaviors and sees that they bring happy responses from the people he’s attached to, he becomes aware that he’s pleasing the people he loves.

Does a 1 year old understand no?

Babies begin to understand what “no” means between 6 and 18 months and may even begin to tell themselves “no-no.” While you might be quick to yell “no” if they’re pulling on your necklace or opening drawers, constantly telling them “no” can make them think that everything is off limits.

When do babies learn their name?

When to expect it: Most babies understand and respond to their own names by 5 to 6 months of age.

Do babies respond to their name every time?

Based on children developmental milestones, children at the age of 8–10 months respond consistently whenever their names are called. The most common response exhibited by a child is by turning his head toward the speaker and getting connected.

At what age does a baby understand no?

Some infants start to understand what “no” means at around 6 months, but most won’t stop what they’re doing in response to the word until they’re somewhere between 12 and 18 months. When your baby gets into mischief, calmly tell him no and try to interest him in something else.

Why do parents say no?

There are a range of reasons many parents are loath to set and enforce limits with their kids: They don’t want to be subjected to their kids’ upset/anger. They believe their kids should have everything they want. They want their kids to have more than they did as children themselves.

How can you tell if a baby has autism?

Recognizing signs of autism May not keep eye contact or makes little or no eye contact. Shows no or less response to a parent’s smile or other facial expressions. May not look at objects or events a parent is looking at or pointing to. May not point to objects or events to get a parent to look at them.

Why do babies cry when you say no?

It’s hard to find a middle ground when saying no to a baby. Some parents refuse to say no. There are cultural and evolutionary reasons for this: Crying babies spark instinctual parental concern and pathos rooted in the amygdala.

How do I teach my baby not to grab?

Taming the Tugs Put on the brakes. With kids younger than 1, simply and gently stop the offending behavior. Don’t overreact. An older baby might think it’s funny if you jump or flinch, and will do it again to get another rise out of you. Offer an alternative. Eliminate temptation. Set an example.

How can I help my baby learn ABC?

Here are a few ideas to help keep learning fun. Read! Books are a great way to help your children learn their letters. Touch and Learn. Many kids learn through touch and experience. Alphabet Art. Kids with a creative streak will enjoy these activities. Eat the Alphabet. Active Alphabet.

How do I teach my child no?

There are many things you can do to help your child as he or she learns to say no: Be open to their opinions. Demonstrate non-verbal communication skills. Explain that a simple no may not always be sufficient. Let them know that sometimes repetition is necessary. Explain that saying no is not the same as rejection.

From birth, every child learns the world. Since the baby begins to crawl and stand on his own legs, some dangers begin to lie in wait for him. It is at this moment that parents should draw the child’s attention to what is “allowed”, which means it is safe, and what is “not”. In order for the child to understand the word «no» and to follow it, parents should know a few simple rules for communicating with the baby.

Necessary

• — plugs for sockets
• — blockers for doors and drawers
• — rubber bath mat
• — puzzles or other games
• — baby’s favorite treat

Instructions

Step 1

The first prohibitions are usually related to the safety of the child. But there should not be too much “no”, otherwise the word loses its meaning. Let there be, for example, 5 basic prohibitions. In this regard, eliminate the maximum possible danger for the baby at least at home — insert plugs into the sockets, attach blockers on doors and boxes with dangerous things, put a rubber non-slip sheet on the bottom of the bathroom, etc.

Step 2

Explain to the child why it is impossible to do or take this or that thing. In order for the kid to learn the meaning of the prohibition, he must understand what the forbidden action is fraught with.

Step 3

Be persistent and unwavering. If you have figured out a few things for yourself that you do not want your child to do, always stand your ground and never let your child do the forbidden. Otherwise, there will be no sense from the ban, and you will return to the starting point.

Step 4

When forbidding, offer the child something in return. For example, you cannot play with documents, but you can play with puzzles. You can distract the child from the forbidden in another way — offer to play some entertaining game, look through a book with pictures, or, finally, offer to drink tea with your favorite delicacy. The main thing is to switch the baby’s attention to another object or action.

Step 5

Never hit your child, even if he disobeyed or made a mistake. Be patient! He only learns the world and learns everything, and learning something at once is always difficult.

Babies often learn what the word “Yes” means faster than they do the word “No.” Your tolerance, facial expression and their being able to continue enjoying what they’re doing (or about to do) makes everything easier. We often have no problems with the “Yes” word.

It’s the “No” word that creates problems. Before you start saying no to kids, you might want to learn more about their impact on your baby.

When Babies Understand

As early as six months old, babies begin to understand what no means, say experts. In fact, psychologists say babies can begin to understand some words, among them the word no, even before they are able to utter them, says Julian Gavaghan of DailyMail.Co.Uk.

“A study by psychologists suggests that babies can understand words months before they can say them,” she writes. She adds that this phenomenon “confounds traditional scientific thinking that (babies) start to grasp (the meaning of words) at about a year old.”

Thus, you can begin to train babies about what they can and cannot do 6 months or so after their birth by just patiently speaking to them. With repetition (plus facial confirmation) comes familiarity and babies soon develop a concept of yes or no. It’s something as simple as this:

Yes is when they can go on doing what they like to do and which elicits pleasant facial expression from you. No is when they’re prevented from doing what they like to do and which elicits a formal look from you.

Pros and Cons

Learning the meaning of no helps babies develop a concept of right and wrong. That’s good and needful. However, the no word can also trigger some negative emotional effects in the baby, especially if spoken often. It might even trigger early signs of rebelliousness.

Babies love to explore. They love to touch everything they see and even taste them. When they are able to crawl, stand up, reach out to objects and walk to places, they do so to learn new and exciting experiences. No wonder then that when they’re stopped from doing these things, they protest, as if saying, “Why not?”

The key here is that, there’s a time for everything–a proper time to say yes and an apt time to say no. And experts say there should be less utterance of no. Psychologists say babies can learn what the word no means as early as 6 months old, but they learn the whys behind the no at age 12 to 18 months.

At this age bracket, babies begin to understand why it’s wrong to do certain things and why they are not permitted to do them and respond accordingly. Thus, in the meantime that babies are still unable to respond to the word no properly, experts say adults should say the word as less as possible.

So, instead of saying no to kids, here are some suggestions:

1. Divert the baby’s attention to other things. If the baby wants to touch dirt, for instance, instead of saying no, attract them to a toy.
2. Take the baby somewhere else. If the baby keeps touching forbidden objects around them. It would be even better to carry them to a safer place than to keep saying no to them.
3. Clear the room or house of untouchables. Make your baby’s surroundings safe for them before you place them there, instead of always keeping them from doing what they like or saying no to them.

If you aren’t aware by now, babies are cute. Insanely cute. So, it’s not surprising, then, that when babies begin doing things that aren’t so cute, like pulling your hair and chucking your glasses across the room, you may find yourself at a crossroads of what to do. For this reason, we at Yellodoor would like to embark upon the topic of when do babies understand no, and, what to do when your “no” just isn’t working.

When Do Babies Understand No

Though most babies don’t know the meaning behind the word “no” until around nine months, younger babies can certainly take a hint from your tone of voice and demeanour.

This isn’t to say that your baby will always know the meaning behind what you are saying every time you speak, but there are times, including when you are telling your baby “no ”, when they may actually be able to interpret what you mean.

This also doesn’t mean that your 9, 10 or even 11 month old child will mind your every “no” without exception. Indeed, there may be times when he or she simply doesn’t understand why you are saying no, and as a result, will resolve to continue doing whatever he or she is doing, despite your disapproval. Therefore, age plays a major role in how you should discipline, and how effective that discipline will be.

When Should I Tell My Baby No?

You may be wondering, “When can I start disciplining my baby?”

In most cases, you can begin to tell your baby no whenever he or she begins testing bounds. Many find this time to be synonymous with the time that babies become mobile, because it isn’t until then that baby is able to get into things.

Around that time too, and especially with older babies, you may find that your baby does things, such as pull your glasses off your face or nappy changes, that causes you frustration and even anger.

What’s important to note here is that while your baby may be doing something that frustrates you, it is likely that he or she is fleshing out their developmental impulses, such as grabbing things that are interesting to them, and aren’t intentionally trying to push your buttons.

Nevertheless, it is important that our children know boundaries, and setting them young is appropriate and healthy for all parties involved.

So, how can you get started?

We’re glad you asked!

How Do You Teach a Baby No?

To begin, we will start with the exclusive use of the word “no” and work our way to other ways in which you can lovingly and firmly set healthy and appropriate boundaries for your little one.

When teaching a baby the meaning of no, you’ll want to be consistent, fair and deliberate.

Consistent in the sense that when your baby frequently does the undesirable action, you don’t let it slide one day, but tell baby “no” about it the next.

Fair in that you aren’t going to want to be scolding a 6 month old baby for crying while you are trying to sleep, or yelling at him or her for dropping a toy. These actions are normal and developmentally appropriate for your child to be doing at their age, so punishing them for it is unreasonable.

And finally, deliberate, in the sense that, though you aren’t wanting to yell or scream at your little one, you are deliberate in what you are correcting and why you are correcting it.

Thus, when you are ready to exercise your “no” muscles, you’ll want to deliver the word in a firm and low-tone. It shouldn’t be high-pitched or sing-songy as this may confuse your baby.

Remember, babies under 9 months are unlikely to know what the word actually means in the first place, so your tone will be vital for getting your point across.

To add to that, be sure you aren’t laughing when setting healthy boundaries for your children. Though what babies and toddlers do is often funny, if it is something you want to stop for good, you’ll want to hold in that smirk and chuckle for a later time.

How Do You Discipline a Baby?

So, how else can you go about disciplining a baby? Rather than inappropriately scolding a 6 month old baby, think about setting bounds other ways, especially if the word “no” seems to be yielding no effect.

Try distracting your little one or preventing the unwanted behaviour from happening in the first place. This can be particularly helpful when the “behaviours” are things like constantly reaching for a toy while mummy or daddy is trying to dress the baby, or baby pulling on daddy’s beard as he carries him or her throughout the store.

Rather than wait for the baby to do these things, stay a step ahead by, for example, giving him or her a toy ahead of time before changing a diaper, or opting for using a stroller the next time you are out and about, so that your beard, or any other type of hair, isn’t as tempting to your little one to pull.

Another way to lovingly discipline a baby or toddler is to rephrase the unwanted behaviour in a positive way, and show, by example, the desired behaviour, instead.

An example of this would be taking your baby’s hand and showing how to lovingly stroke daddy’s beard, rather than to pull on it. Say things like, “Gentle touches,” in an uplifting and encouraging voice to show your baby that it is the desired action. This method is also particularly effective with toddlers.

Seven Tips For Successful Disciplining

If you are finding that, despite your best efforts, your methods of discipline are failing to be successful, consider the following additional tips:

1. Rephrase: Try rephrasing your directives. Instead of shouting, “No running!” try “Walking feet, please!”
2. Timer: Want to lower the chances of a melt down after telling your toddler he or she has to clean up or leave a place he or she loves? Try setting a timer. When it gets close to being times up, give your child a warning. That way, he or she won’t be caught off guard when you announce that the fun is over.
3. Give choices: Sometimes, it helps to give little ones choices when you want them to do something, to help them take responsibility in whatever is going on. To do this, give the child two options that you wouldn’t mind if they chose either one. For example, if your toddler is having a tantrum, you may say something like “Would you like to clean up your toys by yourself or would you like me to help you?” In this instance, the child does not have the option to continue playing, but rather, must choose one of the options you’ve given them. Their playthings go into toy storage and you get a clean space. It’s a win-win!
4. Be Consistent: It’s natural. Some days we feel up and some days we feel down. Nevertheless, it isn’t fair to our little ones when we let our mood dictate our demeanour for the day. Rather than being a strict disciplinarian one day and easy-going the next, seek to strike a consistent balance of setting high expectations daily. This goes for unnecessary toddler night waking, as well. This way, your children will know what to expect, and won’t be confused when they do something to make you frustrated that you were okay with just the day prior.
5. Understand His or Her Current Developmental Stage: Remember that, particularly for babies, some things just come natural. Pulling at things, putting things in the mouth and becoming distracted by noises, sounds and animals are all a part of your baby growing up. While it is okay to set expectations, it is important to remember that your baby is only doing what comes naturally to him or her. Rather than to yell at your baby, you may consider giving him or her an outlet to express themselves through sensory play and other engaging tasks, and to also try distraction and prevention techniques as described in sections above.
6. Don’t Stoop Down on Their Level: That’s right, mum and dad. Now is not the time to stoop to your baby or toddlers level. So, when your little one blows raspberries at you or screams, it isn’t wise to do the same thing back. Not only does it look bad, but it also set the wrong standards and expectations for your baby or toddler. Instead, try modelling the behaviour you want to see, and enforcing consequences that are fitting for the offence in a way that is mature and self-controlled. You can even try giving rewards, like these Humpty-Dumpty kids plasters to commend job well-done. While you’re at it, don’t forget you paediatric first aid kit to make sure you’re prepared for anything.
7. Routine: Is your day filled with chaos? If so, you may need to reconsider. Many babies and toddler thrive in organised environments, even if they themselves aren’t. Therefore, though you may not realise it, a consistent routine brings a level of sanity and serenity to your baby or toddler that may help him or her regulate their emotions.

Proper Discipline Takes Time and Effort, But Is Totally Worth It!

All in all, though parenting and discipline can be tough, it is worth the effort.

Discipline is a means of love to show your child healthy boundaries and to teach appropriate behaviour. As such, it is worth it to be intentional about the means by which you discipline, and to do so with consistency, fairness, maturity and firmness in mind.

In the end, you’ll likely see all the hard work you put into it being returned to you…in more ways than one!

RELATED PRODUCTS:

• Humpty Dumpty Kids Plasters
• Baby First Aid Kit

Teaching your baby the word ‘no’ can seem daunting and often associated with negative feelings. But, really, teaching your baby the word ‘no’ helps them learn boundaries, and understand and express their feelings. And there really is a gentle and loving way of teaching your baby the word ‘no!’

Teaching your baby the word ‘no’ is an important milestone – as important as walking and talking! Every person needs to understand limits and boundaries, and teaching your baby the word ‘no’ helps them begin to learn limits – especially for safety’s sake. 

Camden is just over 1 year old, and he is still learning the word ‘no.’ And he’ll probably be learning it for a loooong time. But that’s okay, because children are meant to push boundaries – if they don’t test their limits, how will they know what the limits are? I want my child to learn through exploration and experimentation; that way, as he learns it, he also understands it.

Start early

Babies start understanding what you’re saying long before you think they understand.  With Camden, when he did something we didn’t want to encourage (like hitting our face with his hands), we told him ‘no’ gently and pushed his hand down softly from the very beginning. I know he didn’t understand at first, but I wanted to make sure that when he did start understanding, we’d be telling him ‘no’ when he did something that we didn’t like.

Make sure he has a chance to get into something he is not supposed to

This is a big one. I know so many people who babyproof everything they don’t want to their child to touch. Don’t get me wrong – you should absolutely babyproof anything dangerous or super breakable/important. But you also have to make sure that your child can get into some things you don’t want him to touch. Otherwise you won’t have a chance to teach him ‘no’ at a young age. For example, we have a cabinet full of cookbooks at Camden’s eye level. I don’t lock them up, but I don’t really want him pulling them out every day either. So, he gets in the cabinet and tries to pull them out, and it’s my chance to gently say ‘no’ and redirect him to another activity.

Camden at 5 months – thinking about what mischief he can get into 🙂

Be clear and concise, but gentle

Babies can understand what you say from a young age, but only if you keep it simple. They don’t need a lecture. So keep it clear, concise, and gentle. For example, when Camden gets frustrated and tries to smack my face, I gently push his hand down and say ‘No. That hurts. We don’t hit.’ And if he continues, I set him down on the floor (which he hates) and say it again: “No. That hurts. We don’t hit.” And then I redirect him to another activity.

Acknowledge his feelings

Camden really likes to try and grab my IPad and daddy’s glasses (Right off his face). Neither are things we want Camden to play with. So when he goes after them, and we tell him no and remove the object, he starts to cry, hard. We pick him up and say ‘It’s okay to be sad.” Then we try to redirect him to something else. I want him to understand that, while he still can’t do or have whatever it is he wants, it’s okay to feel sad about that. That way, when he’s a little older, we have a foundation to build on – and we can start talking about what to do when we feel sad.

Reinforce when he follows your directive

Make sure you praise and reinforce when you tell your baby ‘no’ and she listens to you. I went over the top when Camden was first learning no. When I tell him no and he listens, I praise him and cuddle him and giggle with him. That way, he understands that it is a good thing when he follows what we’re asking him to do.

Try to keep your voice calm – don’t show frustration

I get it – when you have to tell your baby or toddler ‘no’ over and over and over, but you have to do your best not to show your frustration. When Camden is upset and hits me in the face, and I gently push his hand down again and again and tell him ‘no,’ I get soooo frustrated after a while. I have to really start thinking calming thoughts to myself, but I don’t want him to see my frustration. For some kids, that just eggs them on more. For others, it scares them. And other babies just get mad when they hear your frustration. In every one of those scenarios, your baby is less likely to listen to you and stop what they are doing.

Be understanding – it’s a process

Your baby won’t get it on the first try, and maybe not even on the 8,000th try. That’s okay. Just like babies learn to crawl, walk and talk at different times, they’ll learn what the word ‘no’ means on their own time, too. And they’ll learn it – and then go through a regression where they don’t listen to you and you have to reteach them. It takes time, repetition, understanding and most of all, love. 

How did you teach your child the word ‘no?’ Are you still teaching (and reteaching) them?