Discipline Baby?

I was at the birthday party of a friend's one-year-old the other day and was somewhat shocked to find out that the little buddy had already been placed in time out...

Fast forward about 48 hours. Nathanial has this new huffy, whiny, mopey, sometimes screaing problem that he has developed with getting his diaper changed. It is somewhat new and has intensified the more mobile he has become. He just doesn't want to take the time to get his diaper changed.

It got to the point where I asked myself, "Self," I thought "He needs to know that you don't like this behavior and would much rather him be handling himself in a different, more polite manner."

Yes, folks. I know he is a 10 month old, but I truly believe training in manners and the right way to do things should start early.

Please understand that I did not grow angry at him. Though I was slightly annoyed, my actions were to show him that his rolling around while Mommy was putting a clean diaper on was unacceptable. So, while I was putting the diaper on, I tried to remain Present (See Eckhart Tolle A New Earth) while still saying to him "Nathanial, Mommy doesn't like it when you roll around while she is changing your diaper. It would be much easier if you would let me get this done."

(Keep in mind I give him everything I can think of to entertain him while I change him from a diaper wipe or his toothbrush to his toy phone or stuffed bear).

Then, up from the changing table and into the playpen he went. "Time out," I said. I shut the door to the master bedroom and walked away. I spent 60 seconds questioning my decision and then returned to a very sad baby. I cuddled him up and explained to him why I did what I did and we moved on with our day.

I have only done this one more time. Again, it was diaper rolling before bed. I was able to get his pajamas on, though he was screaming by the time I was done. I left him in the floor, said "Time out" and shut the door to his bedroom. 60 seconds later, I went back and he was actually very calm.

I've read in both of my books a bit about discipline. Both say not to spank. Well, of course I would never spank an infant. It said not to yell or call them bad. Check. Didn't do that either. And it did say to explain why you are doing what you are doing to hopefully teach the child.

Now, again, I understand that he is a 10 month old. I get that. He may not understand my involved explainations, but, what I think it is doing is helping us both grow into how that part of our relationship is going to work. I don't ever want him to feel like he is a bad kid, but, I want him to respect people and to respect that his actions have consequences. What do you all think?