My 1-1/2 Year Old Girl Will Not Stop Touching Her Privates!

I am cringing as I type this! My daughter has become obsessed with touching her vagina. I don't know what to do about it! I don't want her to think that touching and exploring is dirty, but she's not at the age yet where she understands that some things need to be done in private. It started off with just touching during diaper changes and baths, but now she is grinding on things (like people's legs), and digging in her pants.

I am not going to lie, it grosses me out. Parents don't want to see that stuff. And it is definitely a power issue with her, if I tell her to stop, she wants to do it even more. I am hoping that this is a phase and it will pass, but I could really use some pointers to try to deal with this.

Thanks

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Permalink Reply by jovan grant on October 31, 2008 at 3:57pm: Well there are a couple things to do. Number 1, if she is talking then ask her as gentle as you can if something is bothering her down there. Sometimes there could be an irritation from the diaper and that causes the child to pay more attention to that area. Before I go on, one thing you need to stop doing is seeing it as gross. You won't be able to purely handle it because it grosses you out. As parents we don't want to see that, but this is an opportunity for you to get closer with your child. think of every situation like this as an opportunity to get closer with your child. Pay more attention to this and deal with it as if your determined to redirect her behavior. This will form a bond between you two on another level. Now, back to number 2, when it comes to the grinding on things get down to her level on your knees, look her directly in the eys and say NO! Don't yell, but say it firm and give a brief reason why you dont want her to do that. For example, "No sweetie don't do that because it is not a good habit and we need to work together so we will form some good habits". Never under estimate a child and think they don't understand.They understand the vibe you're sending and that alone is delivering a message. But if you feel grossed out then she receives that vibe as well and will not see any need to stop. She may not understand the term good habit and bad habit, but just that point of you stopping and getting down to her and sending that vibe that it's not right will trigger singnals in her brain. She was in your stomach for 9 months and she felt everything you felt. Every emotion was delivered to her and it still apply now. If you havent't started already, start toilet training. I hope this wasn't too much and maybe will help.

Permalink Reply by Zicea Becks on October 31, 2008 at 8:45pm: She's just a baby! It's not like she's 12 and doing this.

Maybe her little tu-tu itches. Maybe she likes the way it feels.

You do the same thing to yourself in these instances, so why are you grossed out??? Unles you're a prude about sex....which will cause a bigger problem as she gets older.

I wouldn't be grossed out. She can't even form coherent sentences at that age, let alone knows what she's doing.

When she does it, just tell her "No." or ask her if she's itchy...maybe you didn't get all the soap out at bath time. (has happen to me)

I tell Slater (2) 'don't grab your girl bits in the public, baby'. She moves on to something else.

If this grosses you out, I can't imagine how you feel if you had a son flicking his little willy. You'd die! (lol)

Permalink Reply by Susan on November 1, 2008 at 12:58am: I left out some stuff in my first post so I will clarify a few things. Even though I get grossed out by her doing it, I don't express that to her. As far as she knows, I am totally cool with it...I am all about nurturing good feelings.
The only time I tell he to stop is if I'm cleaning a poopy diaper or if she's grinding on someone's leg besides mine or my husband's.

We are in the midst of potty training now and she pees on the potty during the day, but still wets at night. We're still working on the poops.

It is obvious that she has discovered that touching her vagina feels good and I'm okay with that, but sometimes it just seems like she is being really aggressive, as in painful aggressive. I'm not a prude, (I had a feeling someone was going to say that!), I'm just being honest. I guess maybe I wasn't expecting this kind of sexual awareness to happen so soon, but it's good to know I'm not alone! Thanks for your help.