8 month old getting into everything

[BJelly]

Hi,

This feels very strange even asking this question, but I was wondering how to teach my 8 month old not to touch certain items? EG rubbish bins, electrical cords.

She's enjoying exploring and obviously doesn't know what's good and bad to touch yet. I'm not sure what is an appropriate way to guide her. It seems like it's very early to start disciplining her, but I'm not sure what I'm supposed to be doing with her.

I've tried using a deeper tone of voice, saying "no" and clapping my hands loudly to get her to stop. I've been trying to reward any good response with positive attention. But if she continues to go toward the rubbish bin I have to pick her up to move her away, and that seems like I am rewarding bad behaviour. I'm confused - I'm not sure what is an age appropriate way to handle this.

Any tips would be greatfully received!

[poshBecks]

When ds was little i just had to redirect him all the time. Tell him "danger" or "yucky" then give him something else to play with.

Hope that helps!!

[JanetF]

How about childproofing? That way your child can explore safely and you can relax. I've never said no to my son (at nearly two he's only just started saying it too LOL) but have distracted and redirected. We don't smack either. We bought cabinets for cds and the video/dvd stuff, locked our cupboards and kept all the bedroom doors closed in our open plan house. Anything precious has gone up or away, the garbage is in a locked cupboard. Much easier to make your home a yes environment than follow a child around, I say! They're simply not old enough to distinguish between stuff that is ok in adult eyes and stuff that isn't. If you can't lock your cupboards how about moving the garbage into another room or getting a child-proof gate/sliding apparatus to stop bubs getting in there? Electrical cords can be tied up with little plastic ties and moved behind appliances. There are many websites about childproofing and the yes environment. HTH :)

[BJelly]

Thanks Becky and Janet,

Both of your suggestions were very helpful. I wasn't sure if I was doing the right thing or not. We have done some childproofing, but I guess we need to do some more! I agree, it's too hard checking on her every move now she's mobile - I know us Mum's are pretty good, but even we can't be in two places at once!

Thanks again for your speedy replies!

[Chickadee]

I have always used "no thank you" to tell DD when I didn't want her doing something, instead of just a "no". DH happily went along with it too. I still use a firm voice, quite low pitched since I noticed she responded better to his than mine. It's a bit harder, though not impossible, to yell No thank you.

But childproofing is probably more important. As they get older they understand better what no means, but they also start testing you on what they can get away with :rolleyes:

[wattle]

I'm going to have to get a safety gate for the kitchen. Any recommendations? It's a bit hard to tell from the packaging.

[Chickadee]

How wide do you need Cathy? We have 2 for standard doorways, but the last year we've really only used 1 of them and I'd be interested in selling one (or both depending on the house layout where we end up living). I would have to dig around to figure out the brands as they're packed up. Also would need to make sure I can find the fastening bits - as we always rented I only used them pressure fitted against the door frame, and not screwed in.

[wattle]

HI Martha. Thanks. The doorway is 104cm wide. Everything is a strange dimension in this house, so I'm not sure if I'll have trouble finding one to fit.

If the pressure system works ok, I'll go with that as its a double brick doorway = big holes in the wall, pain to install etc etc.

I'm hoping to find one of the ones that is foot operated. Do you know if your one is like that?

Does anyone know if they're any better/worse than the hand opening ones?

[Cheekychops]

my brother and his wife got a foot opening one and it is great you just press it down with the front of your foot and then nudge it open with your knee - it can open either way. they also bought a little extension bit to go on the side cause their doorway was wider than normal too. Not sure what brand at moment. will let you know if i find out. but foot one's are great!

[rynosmum]

We have babyproofed our house as well as possible however I don't put EVERYTHING away. I truly believe that DS needs to learn to respect that he can't touch everything - we are often in other environments (Grandparents or friends houses etc). A friend of mine babyproofed very well but when she brings DD to our house, everything is pulled out of cupboards, there is no control.

We just say 'No touching please'. Sometimes we have to do it a few times but esp if we are out and about, he mostly looks at us and points to something he wants to touch. If we say ok, he does but if we say no touching, he just looks.

Of course, if he is tired and we are out, then it is on for young and old :eek: so we try and keep visits to the morning or afternoon only.

[Chickadee]

my brother and his wife got a foot opening one and it is great you just press it down with the front of your foot and then nudge it open with your knee - it can open either way.
Hadit, I've never seen or used one that you open like this. Can bub climb up to stand on whatever you're supposed to press your foot down on? I'd assume not, but can't quite picture how the gate system is arranged to prevent it. DD regularly would climb up to stand on the lower rail of ours so I was glad that we had to lift the gate to open it.