I have a few questions about my 2 year old son.?

Question

I am a mom of two girls age 12 and 9. My son is two and when I change his diaper (we are currently pottytraining too), he grabs his boy parts and tends to be kinda rough that even I whince. He plays with his parts and has even put his finger in the spot where it just doesnt belong. I dont remember my girls doing this. Other parents have told me not to discourage this.

Also my son has a cold with a cough. He needs a set of shots that are due but Ive been told not to get them while he is sick. Is it safe anyway?

He also started waking thru the night and screams holy terror when I wont pick him up and lay down with him. I dont even have to lay with him. He is content to sleep on the love seat as long as I am on the couch too. He does this because I lay with him and watch tv till he crashes out. I dont want to give up the cuddle time. He's my last baby as I cant have anymore. If I leave him in his crib to cry he cries enough to make himself throw up. Im such a pushover.

Answer 1

You're not a push over, you're a loving mom, but if you want to cuddle with him, you've gotta do it in his bedroom. A toddler needs to learn to fall asleep inhis own bed. I don't agree with people who suggest letting your baby cry himself to sleep. that's not only cruel, it's been proven to cause future hypertension in those kids. Make bedtime specail, read to him, bathe him, them put him to bed and stay ON THE FLOOR next to him, until he sleeps. Soon he'll sleep quickly knowing that his mom is there and you can get up and go to your bed. A toddler that goes to bed happy makes for a happy mom and a happy toddler! Day AND night!!
Never let him get into the screaming thing, by avoiding bedtime tension.

Now about him pulling his privates. NO BIG DEAL. If he was in pain, he wouldn't do it. He's going to discover about himself one way or another. It's inevitable and totally natural.

Oh, and the cold? Wait till he's better and then get his shots. The rule of thumb is no shots with a fever, but b/c his body is going to fight a dead or weakend virus that's in his vaccine, he doesn't need to be fighting one enemy going into the battle with another one! ;o)
Good luck. You sound like a great mom.

Answer 2

Boys routinely explore thier penis and other bits.. They are more visible and therefore more curiously attracting than a girls bits... When you are changing him or he is bathing his bits are there so he takes the oppurtunity to check out the bit... He will grow out of the interest don't worry about it... Keep his nails trimmed so he doesn't scratch or otherwise irritate the area and don't worry he will not hurt himself by pulling or squeezing, the bodys natural pain response will stop him from doing damage... He is just seeing what the bits are and exploring sensations...

If your child has a cold don't get him immunized, immunizations are either a weakened or dead form of the actual disease and if your childs immune system is comprimised by a sickness their reaction to the immunization can be worse...

I understand the want to experience every moment with your last born especially when you know for certain it is your last born, but children need rules and structure instead of giving up cuddle time modify it so he is in his bed and you are able to leave him to go to sleep the final bit on his own... When he screams to be picked up gently explain that you are busy and will sit down with him in a few moments get an egg timer and set it first for 2 minutes and when it dings pick him up... over time set the timer for more and more time explaining you will stop and hold him for a few minutes when the timer goes off. This will teach him that he doesn't get evrything he wants immediately he needs to wait sometimes...

With his age being so young you have alot of oppurtunity to modify his behavior to a more appropriate less demanding one now before the problem is totally ingrained and will take alot more work to change... You can also get alot of snuggling and cuddling in... Snuggles and cuddles are one of the best parts about being a mom but they need to be balanced with disipline and structure so your son will become the man you want him to be one day...

If you start early in teaching him what will and will not be acceptable behavior and build on it as new situations develop you and he will be far happier in the long run because his world has gradually grown and developed rather than suddenly changing one day because he got too big and his once cute antics are now too much... As hard as it is to tell your "baby" No, it's your job to set the rules and boundaries or you will likely raise a very well practices "Holy Screaming Terror"...

Answer 3

I am a Mom of 2 boys and a girl, all grown now, and have grandchildren. My youngest son pulled at his body parts also, the Dr. said to ignore it. He did eventually stop.
As for him having a cold and needing shots, I think it depends on the shots he is getting, I would just check with your pediatrician, he may have his own set of protocals.
On the 3rd problem, I think you are right, your a pushover. He has you wrapped around his finger. He belongs in bed, ALONE!! It may take a few nights of you being persistant and walking away, but so long as he is not hurt, don't talk to him, lay him down and walk out of the room. I know its especially hard when its the youngest, but you aren't doing him any favors in the long run. Good luck!!!

Answer 4

I always took the baby's hand away and said no. It doesn't hurt any to discourage his playing with himself. And if he's hurting himself he'll stop. Personally for germ reasons I really discouraged it. It's truly your choice though, you shouldn't let anyone sway you either way unless you like their reasoning. I'd call the doctor about the shots while sick. As far as being a pushover, it's totally understandable, but just make sure you're still in charge. You still have to be the parent and in charge. You could certainly start having cuddle time in his bed, or even before he goes to bed. Cuddling with him in his bed maybe a nice alternative. Good luck!

Answer 5

When boys are at this age it is normal for self discovery. However if he does it constantly try to show him any sign of NO. take his hands out and say no !! It should wear off slowly.
Consult your physician on this shot issue they will have a better explanation and perhaps give you pointers on what is safe/ normal if you have any further questions...they are there to help.
Mommy is like a favorite pillow/ blankie for some. Lay with him till he is fast asleep but keep him in view when he is resting when he tosses or fusses be there as if you never left eventually this too shall pass!!

Answer 6

I have a 4 year old son and he has always been a handfull! When he wes 2 he did the same thing with his "boy parts" infact he still does. We have always told him it is not nice to do that infront of people and that he should do that in his room or in the bathroom. It has not caused any trouble with him and he is just fine. But now he gos in the the bathroom and we do not have to see that.

I have gotten my children shots when they are sick before and they have been just fine. But if you feel that you should not get them ask you Dr. what he thinks.
I know what you mean abuot cuddle time. I put my daughter in a "big girl bed" she is 2. I read to her and cuddle her there insted of doing it in the liningroom with the tv on. she likes it better and I do too.

Answer 7

now lets get to the fact that he grabs his parts, my son also did that and every other little boy that i have know. leave him alone, on that one. and most doctors wont give your child shots when they are sick anyway. so, as soon as he is well make the appointment. and you really need to stop allowing him to crash on the couch. you need to have some kind of routine, and in that routine add cuddle time. and him crying until he makes him self throw up. well, of course that's whats going to happen cause mom will come in and pick me up!! this is hard i know, but allow him to scream and cry and yes even throw up, go in clean up the mess lay him back down in his crib.you need to be persistent. other wise he will be 5-6 years old and still wanting to lay with you. if need be turn on some soft music a small night light and you could even give him something that you had on that day to fall asleep with. but you need to do this. get a routine and stick with it, its going to take some time, and it will be hard, but you can do it.mom

Answer 8

Wow, sounds like you have your hands full with this one. It's no big deal if your son touches his 'boy parts', my son who's now three did that at age two as well. Your son is just exploring his body, so don't discourage him to do so.
The shots shouldn't affect your son's health, but I would check with your pediatrician to make sure.
As far as your son waking up in the night frightened, it sounds like he is insecure about something. Don't give up cuddle time, but instead hold him in your arms while in his room and read to him (this works well for my son) to get him to relax. Hopefully he will just be so tired that he won't mind too much when he is ready to fall asleep in his crib. I hope this helps and good luck to you!

Answer 9

The grabbing himself part, perfectly normal. Just a little boy thing.

No shots when they are sick.

As far as the waking up screaming during the night. My niece used to wake up during the night screaming and it turned out to be her ears. She needed tubes in her ears and by screaming, it relieved the pressure in her ears. If he has been sick, he may have an ear infection and that could cause the screaming in the middle of the night.

Answer 10

Touching his self is normal. He is just curious and will grow out of it eventually. I would ask the doctor about the shots but I think as long as they are not running a fever it is OK to get them. And about the sleeping. I think you need to put him to sleep in his room because if he goes to sleep on the love seat and wakes up in his room he is probably scared and confused. Put him in his bed and sit on the floor of his room with him until he goes to sleep. I had to do this with my oldest and eventually it will get to where you can just leave him and he will be comfortable on his own. Have patience and if you don't want to give up the cuddle time, don't. Let him be your baby as long as you want!