My daughter is 23 months and won't keep her hand out of her diaper.?

Question

I feel like I am wrong telling her to stop.
I think she is just curious to figure out what the heck it is.
But it makes me uncomfortable.
She does it all the time.
What can I do?

Answer 1

She's not "too old" to still be in diapers, as someone posted. The majority of parents start training around 18-24 months, hoping to be done by that magical 2nd birthday, but reality is that most kids are closer to 2.5-3.5 years old before they're really doing it ALL by themselves (which is what I consider truly "potty trained"). I prefer to call the process potty *learning*, actually. Still...

The diapers and/or wetness may cause her to itch a little. Or it could just be curiosity, which I agree is quite natural at this age. You should see what little *boys* are doing with their penises (penii?) at that age!! LOL You'd be amazed, and ALARMED, at how far those things will stretch...

We just told our little ones that it was a private place, and touching should be done privately. They rarely actually went off to another room expressly to touch themselves. A hand-washing, without trying to make it seem like they were "dirty", was usually enough to distract them. Little kids love making bubbles! I'd just offer it up as something we were just going to do, because-- "let's go wash our hands now!", rather than, "yuck, you touched your nasty privates and now your hands are yucky too". I don't think they should be ashamed of their bodies, but on the other hand, you really *don't* want them walking around with those germs all over their hands, going in their mouths, etc.

This method had worked for us with all six of our kiddos.

Best of luck!

Answer 2

In all honesty this is completely normal. I have 3 girls who all did the same thing. There really isn't anything you can do to make her stop. She is "exploring" and found something that "feels good"...seriously, little boys do it too. They don't understand of course what it is. I tried not to make a huge deal about it when my kids did it, because it seemed like the more I responded the more they did it. (Word of advice....never give in when they come running and want you to smell their hands. I learned this the hard way!) Kids like to get responses out of us even at a young age. If she still does it all the time even after you have tried to ignore it for a while, you could try to calmly tell her "no no" and smack her gently on the hand...not enough to hurt but to startle. Consistency with any form of discipline is a must. I hope this helps.

Answer 3

I am having the same problem. My 1 1/2 year old daughter will not keep her hands out of her pants. She is more in the back than in the front. She goes to daycare and they assured me that it is a normal thing. When you see her doing it try and do something with her. Play a game or whatever she is into. My son who is 2 1/2 is really into asking questions about his parts so I guess she is just starting early.

Answer 4

My son is the same way. He always likes to touch his whenever his underwear are off. He stares at it, pulls it and such. I think it is hurting him but my mother said that if it hurt, he wouldn't do it. She also told me that because it is so rare that he actually gets to see it (because of the diaper first and now underwear) that it is totally normal for him to be exploring. I just tell him that it shouldn't be done in public. And he usually doesn't do it unless he is using the potty or in the bathtub. If it makes you uncomfortable you can tell her not to do it.

Answer 5

tell her that there is nothing wrong with it, but that it is an activity that can only be done in the privacy of her own bedroom. My daughter was the same way, she is a little over 3 now and whenever she starts for it she stops and says,

"oh, I can only do that in my room,"

then either goes in there or stops altogether.

Answer 6

I guess depending on if theres anything in there or not when she does it that will tell you if its a gross habit, if not I like the "do it in your room idea". Maybe its time to put her on the potty when she does it. Maybe its uncomfortable to wear it.. and she's ready for that next step..pull-ups and underwear (whether theres anything in it or not).

Answer 7

Maybe she doesn't want to wear the diaper anymore... 23 months is rather old to still be wearing it. Aren't you training her to use the potty/toilet? She's probably sick off it all bulky and wet(?) around her. Time to cut loose!
Kids are always going to be fascinated with their genitalia. Try not to tell her it's 'wrong', because it's not. Try distracting her with something more fun.

Answer 8

Toddlers explore everything...even themselves. It's natural curiousity...nothing sexual whatsoever. You need to relax before you start giving her the wrong message...that the human body is somehow dirty. She doesn't need to grow up with that kind of complex.

Answer 9

Well, you could go with the old reliable "Your privates are yucky and bad and you should be ashamed of them", or you could ride it out, I guess.

Answer 10

IF YOU WANT HER TO STOP , TELL HER SAY "HEY YOU WILL GET SICK IF YOU KEEP DOING THAT" SHE IS CURIOUS AND THAT IS VERY COMMON