My Daughter Picks at Her Belly Button constantly...any Suggestions?

My son also did this. He has an outie, and it was definitely a comfort thing for him. When he picked it raw, I put him in a onesie so he couldn't get to it, but that probably won't work with a 3 year old. My son has since moved on to his nipples. It's a self soothing thing for him, that he does when he's tired or upset. Have you tried giving her something else to play with? Tell her if she's tired or upset, to play with a special blankie or stuffed animal instead. I thought it was just my kid who did this! Good to know he's not the only one!

My daughter did this as well, from a very young age. It was her soothing mechanism - we had lots of conversations about did her belly button hurt, itch, etc. She just did it to soothe. She never would take a pacifier or a special blanket. She still does it at age 13 when she get stressed out. I would not worry unless you feel there is a medical issue. You could take her to your physician if you have additional concerns. Our pediatrician said it is not uncommon - much like kids who twirl hair or chew fingernails.

I was going to suggest onesies too, you shouls be able to find them in sixes 3t and 4t still, if nothing else, somewhere online. Or you could definitely get some leotards for her to wear to keep it covered. I would definitely stop hitting her for it though. It seems completely illogical. You don't want her to pick at her belly button because you don't want her to hurt herself, so when she does it, you hurt her? It doesn't make sense.

It maybe itchy to her. Try some lotion. tell her it is magic lotion and will make the itchy monster(or whatever) go away. Just athought.LOL!!

My son has this issue. We have found that the bigger deal we make out of it the more he does it. I think it is just his soothing technique. When he does it I will move his hand and give him another object to hold (book or toy) and try not to make a big deal out of it. He has stopped doing it as much as he did. It is probably just a phase and in a year or so they won't be doing it. I try to keep his hands as clean as possible and his button clean as well to keep infection away.

I am 40 now but I did this as a child. Anxiety, Bordem, who knows why. Nothing was wrong with me. It beats the kids who won't keep their hands out of their pants. At some point I outgrew the habit. I just stumbled across this thread because I got a mosquitoe bite in it today and it reminded me of my old childhood habit and since the internet is now a thing I decided to Google it and see if I was just really weird or if other kids do it too.

C.,

Hand spanking will not help matters. She will do it no matter what because her belly button is bothering her. Did you ask her why she does this? Does her belly button itch or hurt? Is there some sort of discharge? Maybe this is a medical problem. I think you should take her to her doctor. In the meantime, ask her lots of questions (if you haven't already) about exactly why she does it. I don't think it's just a random habit. I think something is going on with her belly button. Good luck.

My daughter does this every once in a while; however, it hasn't been a huge problem. I just tell her that if she picks at it is going to bleed and hurt her if she continues. She freaked out from the blood and stopped. I guess this doesn't help you out since she is not afraid of the blood.

Have her wear onesies. If you can't find her size at the stores look it up on line. She wears it long enough she'll probabaly forget about it.
Lonie

Some mineral oil might heal that - it also might keep her out of it. I wouldn't want to stick my finger in a sticky wet hole.

Good luck!