Mother Seeking Help

I think it is just one of those stages. Both of my nephews did it and so did my daughter. Who knows why, just like were do they get picking their noses (YUCK). I didn't say anything to my daughter, just walked over and took her hand out. Eventually she stopped.

My daughter is now a year old. She does the same thing. As soon as we cracked her diaper off her hands were on her "china". I thought the same thing as you did thinking she may have an infection or rash. Turns out according to our Pediatrician she is exploring. She is curious about herself "down there". He exlpained to us she has the same curiousity as she did when she discovered her feet. The only difference now is that we (the parent) have a "reaction" to this particular curiousity. He told us that it would pass in due time but not to give her such a reaction to it b/c she will continue doing it just to see the reaction that me and my husband have. Aside from a good handwashing and hand sanitizer we don't give her the reaction she is now looking for and she has become bored w/ "down there" almost entirely.
Hope this helps
K.

I agree with the other mothers that you shouldn't use negative languge to stop the behavior. Telling her its nasty is doing more harm than good.

All kids go through a stage where they touch themselves. They are just exploring thier bodies and there's nothing wrong with that. Wash her hands when you catch her and just let her play. If it really bothers you are you don't have time to wash her hands all day just keep a onsie on her.

L.-
I did this with my first daughter also. I did tell her that it was nasty, and it had no ill effects on her. (I also told them that their dad's cigarettes were nasty too.) so don't panic that you've burned a bridge there.
First, I let her know that it was inappropriate when her diaper was on. (usually it was soiled). I combined all of this advice. Let her know it's inappropriate(whatever words you use)-but in reference to the soiling, not the touching. Second, ONESIES are great for keeping hands out. Third, no diaper for about 1/2 hour after she was changed did great too, because it made it less curious of an area.
Good luck
V.

I agree don't tell her it's nasty, Just let her do it it's normal for her, My son is 15 1/2 months and he does it all the time when his diaper is off or if he is in the bath tub. their just exploring. I use to tell him to stop but another mother told me not to do that, so I just let my son do it as long it's clean.

beck

instead of putting her on the potty just put it out in plain view to look at and play with it when she starts to sit on it then start putting her on it...as for the hand in the diper they are very curious about that don't tell her it is nasty tell her what it is and just keep washing her hands she will stop....

1st off don't tell her it's nasty....

2nd I think its completely normal. Both of my kids have their hands down their diapers often enough. My son is 29 months old and he just touches himself everytime we open his diaper. I think he doesn't just to confirm that "its" still there (you know men)and that he has the proper name for it.

My daughter is 15 months and wow does she put her hand down there!!! Every chance she gets... We just distract her and or just ignore it!

Hi L.,

I'm not an expert, but at this age, I believe they are just curious about their own bodies. I don't think she gets our concept that it's gross to do that, because it's not sanitary. For right know, I would wash her hands every time she does it. It's going to be a pain for you, but she may get tired of having to do that every single time.

Have you tried to let her go bare bottom for a while? It may help with potty training. Every child is going to be different, and being afraid to go on the potty is not uncommon. I think they feel they are losing something when we flush. I always taught my kids to wave good bye when they were done and then we flushed!!

I hope this helps somehow!!

Wishing you the best!!

P.