How should I react to my 16-month old daughter?

Question

okay, I am a first time mom. I have a 16-month old daughter and she is "discovering" her body. I don't no how to react when she starts discovering those private- covered -by -the -diaper -area. Heck I don't even know what or how I should refer to that area of her body. HELP! any suggestion.

Answer 1

LOL my 15 month old little boy sat today for 5 minutes inspecting his "package" it's a way of exploring his body and finding out how things feel (whether they are soft and squishy or hard and bony... or in his case I guess they can be both). Don't feel ashamed babies don't understand what those parts are or what they are for and to them it's no different than inspecting their belly button (something my son has been insepecting a lot the past couple of months and just discovered yesterday Momma has a belly button TOO!!!) In fact my daughter never really developed a fascination for it, but keep in mind you're not going to stop her from inspecting it, you can't keep her diapered always (there's always bathtime) and if you stop her and react badly she won't understand why she can't play with her body parts. And call it whatever you are comfortable with (my niece calls it her privates, which is fully appropriate, but my daugter calls it her peepot... something me and my sisters called it when we were little, not sure where we got that one). Either way make sure it's something you are comfortable with her shouting in public, because she will find a reason sometime someday to talk about it in public and you need to be sure you are able to react without blushing... too much, because the "problem" may be very serious (if even only to your daughter) and it will discourage her from talking to you about future problems if you react badly to her talking about it. When your daughter gets older (like 2 or 3) and she starts holding herself, do what most moms do and ask, do you have to go to the bathroom, when she replies no, say then don't hold yourself or I will think that you DO, and I will take you to the bathroom whether you do or not and make you go! This will make her understand that she shouldn't do it without reason (you're not going to be able to convince a 4 year old that HAS to go potty not to hold herself, so accept that), but at the same time you are not shaming her or making her think that she is doing anything bad. As for now, let your baby explore (it's not masterbation), and decide now what you will be comfortable with her calling her girl parts. And don't change it or it might confuse her. Some people believe that it should be called what it is in medical terms, I'm just not sure I'm prepared for my 5 year old to SAY vigina in public, or my son to say anything about his penis...ever, to me that is MORE shocking than the euphanisms that people make up to call them coming from a kid's mouth. But it's up to you.

Answer 2

It's her "Coolie." At least that's what Iv'e heard new moms call it, I guess it's a cute way not to say "Cuchie"
At 16 months I wouldn't worry or say anthing about it. If you want you can give it a name (above) and discover other body parts. Like the ear lobes. Yeah, those are exciting. She's really young. She's still a baby. Sorry I can't suggest a good book. But im sure there's one out there.

Just don't react in a negative way!
and Enjoy motherhood, tell her this story when she's 16.

Answer 3

Well I read somewhere recently that we learn the shame of our bodies from our parents when we first start discovering it. But personally I don't think that means you shouldn't tell her to not do it. Just reassure her when she gets older. I mean sometimes we need a little shame right. But that's not the point when she just starts finding those areas or her privates (my grandma always called it "monkey" and my aunt referred to it as "coochie", my parents however stuck with privates) tell her no. It's simple. I mean it could be quite embarrassing if she started exploring while you had company over or while you were in public, right.

Good Luck and bless your daughter.

Answer 4

This is totally natural. Every child does it. They are discovering their body. Just ignore it unless they are doing it in public and divert her attention. I have read somewhere not to say it is nasty or shame them because it will hurt them emotionally. Just call it a nickname until she is old enough to know better and then you can use the real term. My daughter's was called her cooter. lol If she does it constintly all the time until she is 4 or 5 and it is causing problems with being around people or harming herself, see a pediatrician. You are such a good conserned mother. Have fun with your little girl. They grow up so fast.

Answer 5

My 19 month old has been doing this for 3 months on and off.
Best thing to do is not make a big deal out of it.
Ignore it, wait and see how long see is discovering, then distract her.

Note, children do not have perverted minds, How much should you really be worried?


Try Once Upon a Potty video and book, help her put an identity to it.

Answer 6

Children at this age have a natural curiosity. Treat it as just that. If it bothers you make a game of it by telling her noooo in a silly joking way. Make a game out of it and get her mind on something else. Always call body parts what they are when you are teaching them. At this age you could call it her privates or V, When mine were little I would tickle them when they got curious and say don't you touch your V spot. It is ok to let them explore everyone is curious about their bodies and as you can see it starts at an early age. Just remember as she gets older to refer to it as her vagina, don't use slang sometimes that is worse. Besides it is what it is and there is nothing wrong with that.

Answer 7

She'll learn as she gets older that the reason anyone even wears clothes is because those things are considered innapropriate, but right now I'd say just let her be, unless she's like...Doing it in public or something, then maybe just slap her hand or something. She'll get the hint eventually. lol. But yeah, that's what kids do is discover themselves, you're just lucky it's a girl, not a guy, or it would be twice as bad. Baby boys seem to get very amused by themselves. lol.

But they don't really know better, so just let them be till they can learn things like that.

Answer 8

Just move her hand away from her private areas. NEVER EVER react in a harsh way that may scare her....the first few times you may even tell her what it is as you move her hand away so she knows WHAT it is. That is how I taught both my daughters (ages 5 and 2 1/2) and they are fine with it. they know it is their private area and NO ONE can touch it! Use these opportunites to start educating your baby girl!! Seize it!!! Utilize it!! And good luck!! You can e-mail me if you'd like to chat more!!! I love helping with parenting!!!

Answer 9

I let my daughter explore at certain times. She should know about her body. I tell her pee pee comes out of there. I call it her "gee gee" just for now (she is 13 months). I say let her see whats going on after you changer her or in the bath. It is only natural, but of course, you dont want her to do it all the time or everytime you are in the bath or diaper time. Explain to her about it as you do everything else she is learning about.

Answer 10

i would not be happy with reference to the age element yet as you're on the age of consent via fact the regulation curiously says you at the instant are nicely there is no longer alot year human beings can do. you will no longer understand he's employing you till he has this is the sorrowful element and is all component to becoming up. carry onto it for as long as you could and don't provide in till you're certainly pleased with it - no longer via fact of any rigidity from him. criminal in accordance to the regulation it perhaps yet each and every guy or woman is different and all mature at different factors. basically becuase some slease in government says this is okay would not propose that as quickly as you adjust into sixteen attempt to do away with what's an exceedingly particular element for you. i wouldn't be happy for particular and neither could her dad whose sitting right here cricket bat on the door waiting - so i think of she could understand our view. appreciate your self and don't provide in. If he's real he will wait slightly longer then that shows your mum he replaced into extremely a effective respectful guy for even though long