how do I teach DD (5 months) not to pull hair, etc?

[tenar]

Can they even learn this at this age?

DD has recently started enjoying pulling my long hair, or DHs curly hair. I can understand the entertainment value, and also that she isn't good at voluntarily letting go of things yet, but it hurts!

Is there a way to teach her not to do that? Very gently, of course.

The other thing I was wondering is when I was watching DH encouraging DD to bang on his chest with a rattle. Great fun for all, but when does it turn into the baby hitting the parent and then you can't stop them from hitting people? Is it too early to have a "don't hit people" rule? How would you teach a baby not to hit people anyway?

I haven't thought much yet about how to teach babies manners or discipline. But I guess this is going to start to be something I need to know about in the coming months, especially if she starts biting us. Any suggestions?

[~clover~]

I really don't think you can teach her much yet Just keep your hair back out of the way. They love the feel of it at this age & have no idea it hurts. (DS now knows & will actually grab the girls by the hair & move them if they won't move out of his way!!)

Hitting...I'd be ok with the games. When they start hurting (like randomly hitting a sibling over the head with a wooden cricket bat....) maybe start to say no hitting so they understand? She'll probably start to understand around 1 ish?? When they actually start acting out & hitting iykwim??

[Rivlas]

Sometimes using a louder voice than normal - not shouting- saying 'ouch that hurts' and pull her hand away can stop them. Just make sure you let her know it hurts. They pick things up from your tone.
Biting can be harder. The only time I had a problem was when they were older I bit her back just enough to let her know it hurt, never happened again but this doesn't work with all kids.
What works for some kids won't work with others