Is it normal for toddler to touch himself

Reassure your children that you will listen to them, believe them, and want to keep them protected. Control media exposure. Get to know the rating systems of video games , movies , and television shows and make use of the parental controls available through many internet, cable, and satellite providers.

Providing appropriate alternatives is an important part of avoiding exposure to sexual content in the media. Be aware that children may see adult sexual behaviors in person or on screens and may not tell you that this has occurred. Review this information regularly with your children.

Some good times to talk to your children about personal safety are during bath time, bedtime, and before any new situation. From child care to sports practices to dance classes, not to mention camps and after-school programs, children are meeting and interacting with many different adults and children on a daily basis.

Expect questions. The questions your child asks and the answers that are appropriate to give will depend on your child's age and ability to understand. The following tips might make it easier for both of you:. Don't laugh or giggle, even if the question is cute. Don't react with anger. Your child shouldn't be made to feel ashamed for his or her curiosity. Be brief. Don't go into a long explanation. Answer in simple terms. For example, your preschooler doesn't need to know the details of intercourse.

See if your child wants or needs to know more. Follow up your answers with, "Does that answer your question? This is fun! This touching type is usually just a very curious toddler exploring his body, much like his finger explores his nose to see what treasures he can find. Masturbation in a child is different; the child will usually appear dazed, flushed, and preoccupied while rubbing themselves with their hand or another object. Children might masturbate several times per day or only once a week.

Is it curiosity or abnormal? When children are young it is natural and healthy for them to explore their bodies, and in the process they may learn that touching certain parts of their bodies feels good. So they repeat this, even in situations where it may not be appropriate. What You Can Do You can talk with your son about this behavior and help him learn where is okay and not okay to touch himself. You can start to teach him that touching his penis is only for private, and not for public.

Toddlers may also become more aware of their natural erections. Toddlers don't have that filter in place that tells them it's not appropriate to touch your penis anytime or anywhere the urge strikes. Before age 5 or 6, a child is a little too young to absorb this lesson. If this is a new behavior or has become much more frequent, check your child for medical issues like a dermatological condition, fungal infection, or other illness.

If you notice any of the following outward symptoms, call your child's healthcare provider:. Genital chafing and irritation are common for boys, especially when wearing diapers in warmer weather. If your child is playing with his penis all the time, or you'd like him to not do it in public, don't call too much attention to it. Instead, use redirection, giving him something else to do with his hands like play with a toy or hold a book.

You can also ask him to do something with his hands with prompts like:. Once your child is out of diapers, or you notice he's doing this as a self-soothing activity, you may want to begin modifying his behavior. Start talking about appropriate times and places for touching that part of your body. Nearly all boys need that talk at some point. Be matter-of-fact; this is a normal activity, but it's something to do in private.

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