Son Sleeps with Hand in diaper....help?

Hi K., thumb sucking and at times touching of the genitals are comfort behaviors which means if stress is present in which your case your husband leaving the child will perform self soothing behaviors... I would try to replace the hand in diaper with a new toy/activity. Show your son the toy every time he is seen touching himself. Tell him no and say let's play with the toy...the key is to redirect him and replace the behavior with another behavior...

I think your husband will find this hilarious when he gets back to his wonderful family :-) Most of the men I have known stick their hand down their pants...Gay or straight...That is one thing most men do...I don't think this is such a huge deal, but I understand cleaning it up may be. Also, please don't feel guilty for having to work and put food on the table. Everything is meant to be. Look at the bright side. Your son will have advanced social skills that others could be lacking. I say bravo to you for holding down fort while being both Mommy and Daddy. Your husband will be proud! I also think the onesies is great advice :-)

You know I think whether they are male or female..they find their goodies and dont leave it be. Even my 23 month old is always sticking her hand down her diaper. Even when I did daycare I remember the boys always doing it as well. I've been told this is totally normal and there is also an article at Babycenter.com about it as well. You cant do much about the exploring but as for the peeing everywhere..you may have to put him into clothes which keep him from getting in there..like one piece rompers, overalls, jumpers and such. I put my daughter into onsies and itseems to do the trick, even though she does know how to take off her onsie to go potty..she doesnt fool around with it, just to get her hands into her diaper..Good luck and hopefully that helped a bit. P.s. Thanks for your response to my request.
W.

Does he have to go to Pre School? If not you might consider taking him out. He needs the love and nurturing of his mommy right now.

so totaly normal...and ok...
and yes a pain. i like the idea of a onsie at daycare though.

Sorry ladies but if you're not looking for an honest answer then dont ask on here. All we want to do is offer up something you may not have thought of.

Update:
Well, it appears that someone by the name of Brenda M didn't like my msg. Yes, I did state that what I was saying might come off sounding a little harsh but also "something to think about." So, this is the msg I sent her back since she didn't offer up any suggestions of her own on here.

***I said the little guy has had things happen recently that MIGHT have brought him to that point. MAYBE the result of his Dad leaving and being put in school at such a tender age, is just "his" way of reassuring himself that he's ok. On the other hand kids have been known to do things of the sort. Its not because theyre being gross or dirty (in their mind), its just what some do.
This is a place for opinions, thoughts and comments. Maybe just maybe she hadn't come to that conclusion of why he's doing that, so I was offering up something for her to think about.
On the other hand it sounds like you've got way too much time on your hands to be msging people about someone elses issue(s).***

(My original msg)
A 2 yr old in preschool? Wow! Maybe this is sounding harsh but 1st (in his little mind), his Dad deserts him then he's shipped off to be a "big boy?" I have kids atill at home that are older than that!

Hi K.,

I have a friend who had exactly the same problem. Her boy was OBSESSED with his pee pee. He wold fiddle with it when awake, and hold it when sleeping...she was changing his bed 3 times a day!! They managed to get him to keep it put away in public, and found some jammies that zipped up for night time and nap time, to stop him from getting to it (he could undo onsies!!) Beyond that, not sure there is much you can do but wait it out. He seems to have lost interest now, but it took a few months.
Hang in there, tell yourself "This too shall pass","I am a great mother, doing a great job" and get some zip up jammies...and smile, think of the stories you can tell when he brings home his first girlfriend!!!

L.

Theres not really much you can do. Have you tryed putting oneis on him? Hes still a baby and what he is doing is normal. He is just discovering himself. It will pass dont worry. Or you can redirect him by giving him a blanket or a stuffed animal to go to sleep with. He still is very young and i think a daycare center is good at his age. It helps him interact with others and learn all kinds of things...DONT WORRY

Remove his hand from diaper and give him something soft and cuddly to hold and feel, give son lots of extra attention both at home and at pre-school. Reassure him you/Mom not leaving him, when you drop him off at pre-school tell him everytime you are coming back, give him pictures and video to look at of him and Dad, and talk about what is going on in the video's/pic's. Try to sign up for "United Through Reading Program," for more info on United Through Reading call ###-###-#### ext 202. Contact Fleet and Family Support Programs, Murphy Canyon Branch at ###-###-####, they may be able to set you up with a child counselor for support, or you may talk with one of their New Parent Support Home Visitors for advice over the phone as well. His behavior is normal under the circumstances.