Is This Normal? - Las Vegas, NV

Hi N.:
Yes,its quite normal. toddler's,even baby's can show signs of being more aware and in tune with their bodies. As an example,when A baby will get attached to a favorite blanket,because the soft silk edges give her a soothing pleasant sensation,when she rubs it against her skin.Certainly You wouldn't snatch the blanket away from your baby because of this. .Your daughter may have discovered,that it gives her a sensation when she leans up against you,with her pelvis,or it could simply be that she wants that contact with her mom,and your leg, comes up and measures where her little pelvis is.There is absolutely nothing wrong with her discovering herself at this age.There's nothing odd, bad or naughty about it.(It's normal),and she should not feel its anything more than that. This doesn't have a thing to do with sexual behavior or desires,and your child should never feel shes looked upon with disdain for experiencing those feelings that come so natural to all living beings.I wish you and your growing daughter the best.J. M

YES...IT'S NORMAL!!!! I have 2 daughters (ages 4 1/2 & 2 1/2). And BOTH of them do this...and yes, started at a very young age. My daughters DO do the up/down & side/side movement....I did it too growing up. My girls particular do it at nap/bed time...puts them to sleep, I guess. :) They are just exploring themselves and it feels good to them. Don't make a big deal out of it...otherwise she will think it's "wrong" and that she is "bad" It's totally harmless and nothing to be ashamed of or alarmed of. So just relax and let her be a little girl. :)

Yes, it's normal. Both my boys and my girl have done this. Sometimes the boys still do. When they started doing this I have just told them not to do that. I wasn't mean about it, but just wanted them to understand that we don't play with our bottoms. Plus I didn't want them doing that to someone else. I didn't think that would be good either.

Hi N.,
My niece does this in the car seat - she is 5 now and I think she still does it. My son does this too (he is 6) but only in bed a night to help him fall asleep.

It is totally normal. You just have to let the kids know it is something they should do in private. Your daughter is a little young to understand what private is but do the best you can.

Good luck.

You will be surprised at how early they find themselves. My daughter is now 6 1/2 and since 4 1/2 or earlier, she has been touching herself. I never remember doing that, so it is freaking me out a little, but I think it is normal for the little body. Some friens of mine do remember doing things like that early. It is fine so don't worry.

Most everyone addressed the issue quite well if she is exploring her body. what I did not notice in your question is if she is doing this for comfort? If so then I agree with everyone else....she is normal. But, if she seems to do it while crying or fussy, maybe look for other signs of a urinary tract infection. No one mentioned that and it is possible, and girls get them much more easily than boys. Hope for both of your sake it is her learning about her body. Best of luck.

I know many children who have done this when they are tired, overly excited, etc. It is a totally natural response to discovering their own bodies. I would just pick her up and give her a hug or redirect her energies elsewhere.

I agree with Andrea H, you might just want to distract her away from that (gently, just show her a toy or pick her up and hug her - anything else) because we wouldn't want her to end up exploring others (like at day care) or allowing that for herself. I mean, just don't allow this to develop into a habit, I think that's what I'm trying to say.