A couple who text messaged each other about beatings given to a 3-year-old girl have been jailed for the "cowardly attacks".

Michael Raymond Miles, 23, and the girl's mother, Krystal Anne Kuru, 22, were jailed for 22 months on Monday by Christchurch District Court Judge Brian Callaghan.

One of Miles' texts read: "She can cry all she likes. It won't stop me."

Kuru, replied: "I know, Baby."

"My boot is looking good," Miles wrote.

"Can't wait," Kuru replied.

Miles ended with the line: "Yep. She will be getting it till she stops, eh."

Judge Callaghan described the assaults on the 3-year-old as "sustained and cowardly".

The pair pleaded guilty to charges of intentionally injuring the child from November 30 to December 3, 2014.

The judge said the text messages made "sinister and upsetting reading".

The child was beaten with a kitchen ladle. Judge Callaghan said he believed Miles had probably used his work boots on her.

The child was found with extensive bruising, including injuries to the head and ear.

"The text messages raise a very sinister overtone showing a propensity for both of you to subject this child to physical abuse," said the judge.

Defence counsel for Kuru, Margaret Sewell, said the woman had not caused the bruising but did not prevent the assaults.

For Miles, Bridget Ayrey said there was no way of knowing who had caused the injuries.

Judge Callaghan said the girl was subject to several beatings. He did not accept that Kuru was a bystander. During her pre-sentence interview she admitted hitting her daughter with kitchen implements.

Fortunately for the child, there was no permanent damage or broken limbs.

"But it was sustained and cowardly and hugely inappropriate towards a 3-year-old child," said Judge Callaghan. "I don't suggest for a moment that there may not have been behavioural issues, but there are other ways of dealing with them."

Since the offending, Kuru had done part of a parenting course.