Is this normal?

[Anonymous]

3-year-old has a new habit where she lays on her tummy, puts her hands between her legs and rubs herself rather obviously and I don't know how concerned I should be. When asked why she just says it feels good. I've asked her to not do this in front of people, but this seems way, way too young to start masturbating, right? It's really weirding me out. And the other day the daycare teacher mentioned it with a tone of concern so... this must be abnormal?

[Anonymous]

I started at that age. I don't think it's super typical but I also think it's within the range of normal. You should just teach her that it's for private and she only do it in her bedroom.

[Anonymous]

I don't think this is typical, but that doesn't mean it's a cause for concern.

Definitely focus on teaching her there are some things that we only do certain places. We eat the table, we are in our beds to sleep etc.

[Anonymous]

Not that uncommon but there is a ton of shame around it. Teach her that you should only touch your private parts in private but try to withhold judgment and don't try to talk her out of doing it. Also, make sure she knows that if she touches her private area with her hands, it's important to wash her hands for sanitary reasons. Just be matter of fact about it.

What you don't want to do is freak out, tell her it's "gross", or order her not to do it. It won't have the desired outcome!

[Anonymous]

My daughter often rubs her vulva with her hand whenever she is naked.

[Anonymous]

Not at all uncommon. As everyone has said, just teach her time and place. And perhaps hand washing pre and post. Otherwise, do not give it another thought.

[Anonymous]

Infants masturbate, OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not at all uncommon. As everyone has said, just teach her time and place. And perhaps hand washing pre and post. Otherwise, do not give it another thought.

My daughter runs her legs together. Definitely tell her to do it only at home in her bedroom (I made the mistake of not doing that and found out my daughter was doing it at school when I went it to read her class). My daughter started at 2.5 and it’s brought on by stress, exhaustion, and excitement. It calms her down. My daughter is NT, bright, very verbal, and has lots of friends. Please don’t worry about it, OP!

[Anonymous]

not uncommon at all! my son has been humping his stuffed toy since he was a little over 1. its how he falls alseep every single day. the ped told me it is pretty common.