Punishing babies?
1.06.12
I read with horror last weekend about a crèche in Gauteng that was punishing babies under a year by making them suck on a earbud dipped in clove oil. A baby is suspected of being violently allergic to this and was made so severely ill that she was close to dying. Now giving babies substances other than food that has been used and accepted for some time is always a bad idea – moms are urged to introduce foods one by one at first so that allergies can be detected and avoided.
But what upset me even more was that they were using a physical punishment on babies. Babies and toddlers under 2 years and even under 3 years simply cannot understand punishment. They are not yet developmentally equipped to recognise right and wrong. Yes, one needs to start saying a firm but kind ‘no’ or ‘stop’ when they hurt others or are about to hurt themselves. But mainly one must distract babies and toddlers from behaviour that is undesirable. And even better one must try to ensure an environment that is as safe and baby friendly as possible so that saying ‘no’ is minimised. Or when ones baby is playing near other babies parents or caregiver must try to prevent babies from doing anything that might hurt another baby.
The little baby in question had bitten another baby. Babies do mouth and bite – they bite moms nipple, the explore the world through their mouths. They touch and pull and poke and when they do this to another baby they are often interested or even given a fright when the other baby cries. They have no sense yet that their actions can hurt others – they simply are too young to have this!
Research has actually shown that babies who are punished, especially physically under 2 have lower IQ scores than babies who have not been punished in this way. Punishment will make no sense to baby, it will only confuse, distress and create unnecessary anxiety in a baby or toddler. It will certainly not change babies behaviour!