4 year old daughter humping stuffies

[Anonymous]

Hi all. My four year old daughter just started humping her stuffies. I believe this is normal but am also highly anxious it has something to do with sexual abuse at school or somewhere else I’m not around (very rare).

But I realize I’m also anxious and from what I’ve read online, it’s normal behavior and a good time to have the public vs private talk and how no one touches there but her.

Any similar experience? Guidance? Thank you!

[Anonymous]

It's developmentally normal.

The AAP has advice at https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/gradeschool/puberty/Pages/Masturbation.aspx

Up to the age of five or six years, masturbation is quite common. Young chil­dren are very curious about their bodies and find masturbation pleasurable and comforting.

[Anonymous]

It's normal- just tell her she needs to do that in her room.

I have a teenage boy-- so have to be very careful about not entering his room without knocking. It's a different league.

[Anonymous]

I remember doing this, but it was with my blankie.

My own DD was about 1 and would just make humping motions when waking up - my SIL (who didn't yet have DC) became concerned when she saw this...I remember telling SIL that our pediatrician said it was normal.

DD continued probably until about 4.

[Anonymous]

I would masturbate all the time at that age (female here). My mom would tell me to take my hand out of my pants. I also used to do it on the playground at school against the swing stand. I was sexually active at a young age (14) and always wondered it were related.

[Anonymous]

Yup, normal. Sex positive parenting at that age means helping them understand that this good feeling is fun and is also a private feeling that we enjoy in our own room and don't share with others.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would masturbate all the time at that age (female here). My mom would tell me to take my hand out of my pants. I also used to do it on the playground at school against the swing stand. I was sexually active at a young age (14) and always wondered it were related.

LOL. No. Why would young children know it was inappropriate? It feels good so they do it. Simple as that.

[Anonymous]

Heck, I did this until I won't even tell you how old!

[Anonymous]

Our pediatrician mentioned this at our 3 year appointment that this may start soon. Seems completely normal!

[Anonymous]

I remember masturbating a lot as a small kid. (And I lost my virginity at almost 21 to a man I eventually married...so I don’t think there’s a link there to answer prior poster). Our 3.5 year old piles blankets and humps them. She’s not potty trained so I don’t know how much is her diaper bothers her and how much is it feels good. Our almost 8 year old started very young - around age 2. She still will do that but mostly I know because she asks me if she can have some privacy. It can be hard to work on making sure it’s private without shaming. Our 3 year old does it more when she’s board or anxious and that’s often in covid times.

[Anonymous]

I tell my DD that this is private and she can do this in her room. I was concerned at first,but was reassured.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I remember masturbating a lot as a small kid. (And I lost my virginity at almost 21 to a man I eventually married...so I don’t think there’s a link there to answer prior poster). Our 3.5 year old piles blankets and humps them. She’s not potty trained so I don’t know how much is her diaper bothers her and how much is it feels good. Our almost 8 year old started very young - around age 2. She still will do that but mostly I know because she asks me if she can have some privacy. It can be hard to work on making sure it’s private without shaming. Our 3 year old does it more when she’s board or anxious and that’s often in covid times.

Honestly I’ve had a hard time with this. My daughter isn’t embarrassed by it and has asked multiple times for more of an explanation about why it’s supposed to be private. She still does it absent mindedly when she’s laying on her stomach. I can only tell because she lifts her feet and there’s a slight motion. I find it really awkward and am still not sure how to go about getting her to be private but not ashamed.

[Anonymous]

My son as a young 4 year old constantly had his hand shoved down his underwear. I encouraged seeking privacy/not doing this during meals and at one point led with something like “I know it feels good to to in your penis but ...” and he quickly corrected me: “No, my testicles.” So yeah.

[Anonymous]

Normal.

[Anonymous]

Someone needs to delete this thread. Stop giving details.