If your child's hands stray toward her crotch at inopportune moments (in front of your in-laws, for example) keep a toy close by to give her instead.
Masturbation is a lot like nose-picking - she does it because she's bored, because her hands are free, and because she can. If you can't ignore it or laugh it off, distraction is your best bet. Even though you know it's normal and lots of children do it, you'll probably still be embarrassed if your child starts masturbating in front of company. "It's not a meaningful concept." And, she adds, "A child this age by nature is looking to push buttons, so if you start drawing attention to it, you'll probably just get her to do it more." Your best bet is to look the other way or immerse yourself in a distracting activity.ĭistract her. "Privacy means nothing to an 'under 3,'" Meg Zweiback says. Many parents attempt to explain privacy to children as a way to head off sexual abuse, and it seems logical to extend this concept to masturbation. You may have already told your child that some of her parts are private, and that only she, her parents, or a doctor may touch them. If you think this may be the case, check in with her doctor for advice. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, if your child masturbates constantly or excessively, it may be a sign she's feeling anxious, emotionally overwhelmed, or isn't getting enough attention at home. Of course, just like anything else, when it comes to masturbation too much of a good thing may indicate a problem. But it's absolutely not something to be worried about."
"A child may masturbate herself to orgasm," says Zweiback "complete with panting, red face, and a big sigh at the end. That said, young children masturbate because it feels good, and the good feelings can be as pleasurable for her as they are for adults. (A young child who's been sexually abused is more likely to become withdrawn or suddenly have trouble sleeping.) They simply don't have the imaginative skills for this kind of behavior. Masturbation in young children isn't sexual (as it is for adults) because young children don't know what sex is.Īnd although explicit sex play in older children is often a tip-off to sexual abuse or exposure to inappropriate sexual material, this is extremely unlikely to be the case with young children.
It doesn't cause physical harm, pose a health risk, or mean your child is going to turn into a sex maniac. Masturbation is a completely normal thing to do. You don't need to be concerned." What to doĭon't panic. "When parents first see this kind of exploration, they wonder 'is this normal?'" says Meg Zweiback, a nurse practitioner and family consultant in Oakland, California.
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