Toddler touches her private areas?

Question

I know this is nothing new but my daughter loves to touch her private area when she is in the tub or when I change her diaper. I ignore her but it is a little weird for both mommy and daddy, the latter especially. She has begun to take off her diaper when she naps to "play" there and so I must put a panty over her diaper. Daddy doesn't know what to think and I am not sure what to do? Keep ignoring this? How long does it last??

Answer 1

My son frequently has to be told to stop touching himself. It's normal.



We've decided to pick our battles. In the bathroom, he's allowed to touch (and baths). It's hard for us to deal with, but at least that rule got him out of touching anywhere else (where it could be much harder to deal with).



You're in a tricky spot. If you overreact, you can actually make her want to do it more, because most kids thrive on doing things they know they aren't supposed to be doing.



I would definately keep the panties on over the diaper to give her less access. While I would normally tell Daddy to get over it, if it bothers him that much (and I could see why it would), you take over bathtimes until you can get your daughter's hands under control.



Probably the best thing you can do, though, is to calmly tell her to stop, or to ignore it. She's discovered a new body part that doesn't get mentioned - ever. While you teach her about her fingers, toes, ears, eyes, nose, tongue, hair, etc., that one is always left out. Once she becomes acquainted with it, she'll move on to something else and you won't have as much a problem with it anymore.

Answer 2

ALL children do this. Its another part of her body shes learning about. When she played with her hands and toes were you worried? No because its a normal thing. I wouln't allow her to think its okay to take off her diaper use some extra tape or pin the diaper on so she doesn't take off the diaper in stores etc to play. When she gets older and you find her touching herself,( which is also normal) Tell her she has to do that in her room by herself, that nobody else is allowed to touch her and shes not allowed to touch anyone else there. Shes not yet playing with herself if shes still wearing diapers, shes touching because its new to her. Playing with herself would be rubbing etc because it feels good. That comes with age.

Answer 3

My one daughter used to do the same thing,She was 3ys old at teh time. when ever i would catch her i would tell her to stop and explain that her hands could be dirty and we dont want her to get an infection or anything like,I also read somewhere not to tell your kids its digusting or wrong to touch themselves, they dont want to feel ashamed but i think it was just a stage because I havent had a problem with it for a long time, so i think its pretty normal. My other duaghter is 2, she hates clothes and take her diaper off every single time she goes in the crib, this is very annoying especially when you have to wash sheets 4 times a week, Her and her 5 year old sister share a room, she actually takes it off and throws it at her sister, though the older one gets mad and I tell the little one no, it is kinda funny, but i do think its just a stage, im just going to keep telling her NO, until she gets it, and she eventually will, Good Luck ur not alone!!!

Answer 4

its just a phase, it's normal and is harmless. my daughter is 2 years old and has been doing this for almost 6 months. when girls play " down there" it feels good but it's not sexual. this is pure curiosity. in order to keep my girls diaper on i started dressin her in footed zip up pjs during nap too, more to avoid a mess than her playing with herself. if shes asks question just be honest about body part names but you can mostly ignore her. Don't scold her over it. tell your husband not to worry. litlle boys play withthemselves too. my 4 year old boy still does ocationally.

Answer 5

Both my boys started this just before potty training, I was so worried that I wouldn't be able to potty train them because they would just walk around playing with themselves. A couple of weeks in overalls and snap-crotch clothes and you can usually get them onto a new obsession. Ultimately, she will always do it, eventually not in front of you. Just keep ignoring it and keep her covered well in public so she can't find an access point.

Answer 6

My 21 month old boy has been doing that kind of thing too. At that age, they are just curious and not doing anything wrong. I have also been basically ignoring it too. My husband though, tends to stop him from doing it. We're not really sure how to handle it but just know that it's normal.

Answer 7

It is very normal. They are just discovering their bodies. How long does it last? I would have to say it depended on the child. When my child noticed her private area I sat down with her and tried to explain it to her. I am still trying to explain it to her but she does not touch herself anymore or at least when I am in the bathroom with her.

Answer 8

My 3 year old does that right now. Basically I tell her to stop or she will have to go to her room to do her "pee pee homework." It is totally normal for toddlers to be doing that. At first I was totally flabergasted that she had started doing that but then I got over it and after much research realized it's totally normal.

Answer 9

It's ok for now, a toddler is going to be curious about their body, my nephew used to do the samething. If this continues past 5, then I would start to ask questions & maybe talk to someone about help on what to do.

Answer 10

Completely normal. all little kids like to touch "it", she is probably ready for potty training if she is taking her diaper off. Ignore her, for me, with my son, it lasted about 4 months.

Answer 11

It's normal, she's exploring. just teach her that it's her special place but its not ok to be touching it all the time. She'll stop playing with it eventually.

Answer 12

It is quite normal. They are examining themselves as to where they pee from and beginning to explore all aspects of themselves.Just ignore it and in time, it will stop.

Remember, it is her"private areas" that is in your mind, not hers, she knows nothing except to learn.

Answer 13

Don't ignore it. Explain to her that she is a girl and she goes potty there. Toddlers are as capable of getting aroused as adult are. She probably realised that when she touches there it feels good. Your child's doctor can give you information on how to handle this.

Answer 14

they all do it, they touch their faces so only want to find out what the rest of their body is like nothing unusual all my kids did it

Answer 15

normal..........totally...I am sure she is not even thinking anything about it.....she is exploring HER BODY......that is it.....We adults make to much of a big deal about these things......

Answer 16

Its normal.lol

Answer 17

Tell her no! Correct your child. When my daughter started that I had to explain to her that you do not touch those parts. They are not to play with and it is very, very rude to touch them, especially in public. If you don't stop it now, she's not going to learn, and then eventually when she gets to school there will be an investigation into possible child abuse.

Answer 18

totally normal. don't worry about it.





it will never stop. have you stopped touching yourself? I haven't



.

Answer 19

Discipline. That's not ok. She may not know better. You need to stop it before it becomes a real habit and is displayed in public. Talk to your pediatrician.

Answer 20

masturbating toddler. lmao

hahahahahaha :-j