Dr. Robert Needlman
Specialist in pediatric behavior and development.
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 Ask Dr. Needlman
A 2-Year-Old Who Masturbates | | | QUESTION | | | | My 29 month old has developed a habit of fingering her labia while she sits in her underpants, nude or in the bathtub. I know it's natural behavior to be interested in a body part she didn't notice when she was in diapers (she is now toilet trained and never wears diapers) but it is starting to bother me because she does this so often. Should I discourage her from touching herself or wait for her to get bored? — Mark in Canton, Ohio | | | ANSWER |
February 16, 2001 | | | You're right: masturbation is normal, and every child does it. If parents respond with harsh disapproval, most children continue to do it but feel guilty or ashamed, or they develop attitudes toward their bodies that make it harder to develop healthy sexuality as adults. Most young children masturbate when they are tired or bored, often as they are falling asleep or watching TV.
Except for bedtime, you can try to find something interesting for your child to do --- bring out a few pots and pans, a new box of crayons, a book, a toy that's been out of circulation for a while. At bedtime, its probably best to ignore the behavior.
As your child gets older (age 3-5), you can help her understand that touching her "private spots" is something she should do in private, as a matter of good manners (akin to "Don't pick your nose in public" and "chew with your mouth closed").— by Robert Needlman, M.D., F.A.A.P. |
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