I'm not convinced of the link to sexual abuse. Usually this is perpetrated by someone a child is already comfortable with. I believe you strongly reinforce what is inappropriate touching, even to very young children.
I agree with this. Having said that, I can see how raising children who expect that their boundaries will be respected would be a protective factor for preventing abuse...as children, adolescents AND adults.

I liked the article and it made me aware of some things I hadn't thought of. I have always narrated to C about what we're doing & why we're doing it, I think out of instinct. My midwife was the first to do this for my DS and I found it really affirming - she never touched C without explaining why she needed to, and always reassured him (eg explained when we were clamping & cutting the umbilical cord, when she weighed him, did the heel ***** etc). I loved that she was being so respectful and considered about our baby's needs.

I have fallen into the trap a few times of apologising, or saying things like 'ohh that's not very nice' if he's cried when friends or family have held him. I'm glad I read this now so I can stop it before he was old enough to understand what I was saying. I don't want him to feel like he's doing something wrong when he expresses that he isn't comfortable with something/someone.

OP - thanks for sharing!