Thank you so much for this article. DD has been playing, touching and looking for a few months now, especially since she can take her own nappy off. I knew it wasn't a bad thing but I had no idea what to say to her.
My nephew used to seem to enjoy it also. He would rub the front of himself through his nappy though. My sister just used to let him be or if it went on for a while or they had company she would distract him with toys or whatever. He was proably the same age as your DD.
My DS has a habit of absent-mindedly playing with himself when he is watching tv or in the bath. It does make me uncomfortable, because it is more than a little disconcerting to see your 6 year old with an erection. I just gently tell him to stop and that it is not nice to do that in front of people - in private is ok. My 2 year old DD is fascinated with her vagina atm, because we have started toilet training so it's not covered by a nappy all the time - she doesn't really 'play' with it though, it's more of an exploration thing - like she just wants to have a look and see what it is.
I've never had any of my kids quite do that, but all have played. If at home I just leave them alone, ignore it. I usually took the chance with the girls to say 'thats yours, you keep it for you', or something similar. Usually if they were trying to show me
DS is different. He doesn't leave his alone! The girls weren't too phazed. I might say something like 'what have you got' or 'have you got your doodle'. Mainly coz I want it to be normalised. I want him to know its ok (well at 1 it is!!) When he gets older I'll tell him its for at home or whatever, just for you etc.
I've never heard of actual 'toddler masterbation' before. I guess it would be a bit confronting, but I wouldn't worry too much. Its all normal.
DD1 does it all the time, especially when sitting watching tv in the nud. I'm not too phased about it but the only time I do tell her to be careful is when she gets a toy or something that could hurt and touches herself. She has a little giggle so I know shes enjoying herself. I also distract her if shes doing it alot. I want her top be comfy with her body and not grow up with shame/guilt/embarresment like I did...and at 33years of age, I'm still getting over it!
Well, this is a thread I'm gonna have to keep my eye on - maybe bookmark it.. Then again, I can get DH to be the one who explains it to our little monkey - but we've got a while to go!
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