My 19 month old has successfully given up his binky. However, he has developed what I think is a worse habit. To pacify himself he sucks on his thumb, and this would not be a problem if that was all he did. He now does what I would call a "Al Bundy" I have noticed he will have his other hand jammed down the front of his diaper. Is this a "boy" thing?
I have tried onesies,coveralls and one piece sleepers to keep his hands out of his diaper.He has found creative ways to still reach down there. I've have also tried keeping both his hands busy with toys and other objects. It seems to happen when he is sleepy or at the end of a crying spell.
Can anyone help me with this? I don't know what else to do.
P.S. We started potty training a week ago and I believe that is when he made this new "discovery".
My son has done the same thing since he was only a couple months old. Thank goodness he has stopped doing it durng diaper changes. I didn't have enough hands to change the diaper and keep his hands out of the mess at the same time.
The masterbation is normal. All little boys do it (and some little girls). It feels good and they don't know that it is not socially acceptable. He will do it on and off for a long time. We tell our son (who is now 5) that it is something that is privat and if he wants to touch it he needs to be in the bathroom or his room, alone. He usually then stops.
it is a baby thing, a boy thing and then someday it will be a man thing..
when boys discover their parts.. they find they like them...
It is normal for boys to do this.. You can not win this battle he will find ways to find his man parts..
I would let it go... or give him back the binky...
Kids are curious... its funny that we think "self discovery" is naughty. My son went through the same phase... He never did it in public nor was it inappropriate for his age.
Hi V.,
My son, who's a few days away from 3, did the same thing around the same age. Although he still plays with it from time to time, it's generally only when he's in the bath. Thank God! lol I'm sure it's just a phase, so I wouldn't worry too much about it or make a big deal about it to him. Best of luck to you!
L.
This is absolutely a normal part of development. Trying to stifle this behaviour will only lead to frustration for both you and him and may also create a stigma of being "naughty" which you do not want him to feel for such a natural thing. It is also equally natural for you to feel as you do about this because you obviously don't want him doing this in front of company or in public. Try to encourage him to limit this behaviour to home only and even better yet, to his room. Know that he is not doing it for any type of sexual satisfaction but rather just because it's fun and feels good. If it becomes a chronic problem, you may want to talk with your pediatrician about the possibility of a urinary tract infection or for other suggestions on how to address the issue. Good luck!
