Putting Items in Underwear

I think that it is normal for 2year olds to want to carry things stuff/things around with them...keep their things close to them (but maybe not that close...LOL). I would ignore it as much as possible and make sure that she has pockets to put things in...or even a fannypack or apron to keep her "things" with her. Don't make a big deal about it, just remind her that pockets are where we keep things. Good luck!!

I totally hate to be the negitive nelly here...all the suggestions so far sound great!

There was a story a few years back about a girl who would stick things in her underwear. She did it because she had been abused there. I really don't want to suggest that as a possibility but the part of my brain that controls the "just in case..." thoughts made me do it.

I hope there is absolutely no possibility for that to be the case and that a purse will cover it :o)

~A.

I think kids this age like to carry things on their person. With my daughter she sees us put our cell phones in our pockets and wants to do the same. So she now has a play purse just like mommy that she can put things in it and carry the items around if she does not have pockets. This pretty much stopped the putting things in the diapers, now that I think about she has not done that since we have given her a play purse (this also comes along with us everywhere now because she wants to be just like mommy!).

L.,

My kids love pockets. They love to carry stuff around and only wear clothes that have pockets. Is it possible she just needs someplace to put her stuff? Try pockets, a purse or little bag. It could also be that she is finding a new way to explore her private parts. If that is the case, I would just keep patiently redirecting the behavior and wait for her to outgrow it. If she knows you don't like it, she will probably do it longer.

Good luck,
S.

ok, this is probably an oddball suggestion, but it is what came to mind besides suggesting pockets or purses: if she is doing it because she wants a special place to put things, purses and pockets are great. But what if she is doing it because it feels good? All kids are going to want to explore their bodies and discover what feels good. If you (or another caregiver) has been forceful in making sure she never touches her private parts, she may have just discovered by accident that this is a way to feel good in that area. Have you asked her why she puts toys in her underpants? If the purses don't work, I guess it's another angle to go at it from. And you could always ask a pediatrician.

L.,
Sounds almost too simple, but do you think your little girl could be re-directed with a cute little purse? You could convince her that is where her special items go. Then, if she continues using her underware instead (which, incidentally, will be a really cute memory) you could revoke the purse rights. Give it a try...

OMG... I just had to reply when I read this ;) My daughter did this all the time during her 2's and I kept telling her that we don't put things in her undies.. that's a no-no. She had mentioned it was her "pocket". I would say it isn't and I would show her what a pocket was. She would come to me proudly just to show what she had put into her "pocket" (undies) and say "see Mommy?"... like it was no big deal.

I read the other posters and thought, "huh... she (my daughter) hasn't done that in quite a while" (thinking she just outgrew it). Now that I read the replies I think the many purses she now owns must have redirected her. She just loves to carry things in her purses and care for her "babies" (dolls).

My guess... she will outgrow this. Get her some purses :)

Good luck,
~SR