When your toddler starts reaching into a diaper (or underwear) it can be a little disconcerting at first, especially if it happens in public. Has your child ever done this and, if so, how did you handle the situation? How Did You Handle It?
Its normal
- I am a mother of 3 boys (no girls) I do know that it is a VERY natural thing for your son to play with his boy parts. It's our job as a parent to tell them not to. And as for it being a guy thing, yes, it is to an extent, but there is a stopping point. My husband don't do it and I won't let my boys do it. And for the ones that call it names like "WANKER" to their children are very wrong. You are teaching your kids to be distasteful and rude. So call it a penis or parts or privates NOT "wanker."
- —Guest FeeFee
Distract him with a toy
- My son is 20 months… He plays with it all the time. I mean ALL the time!!! It's normal, boys will be boys, they never stop playing with it. Just don't make a big fuss about it and if you see him doing it just take his hand out of his pants and tell him "No" very nicely. Not, "NO DONT DO THAT!!" But just shake your head and say, "No." Try to also hand him a toy or something to get his hand's attention. My son is learning very quick and normally only tries to reach when I change his diaper.
- —Guest Lala-Marie
Sons and daughters do it
- I have 5 daughters and 1 son. And yes they all did it! I took them to doctors and they said to leave them alone it's normal. They are learning their bodies! I can’t stand to see my son grabbing at his penis.. However I just ask him not to do it in front of people! My daughters stopped early. The BOY is still exploring his body! HA! I just have to stop him from pulling it out in Walmart…
- —Guest Quintes
Just wait till puberty!
- Don't worry. Boys want to learn about themselves. Just make sure your little one does this privately. Tell him that it is ok to do that but to do it in his room. When puberty comes it will be a different story but for now don't worry. It is natural for a boy to play with his penis.
- —Guest Thomas
Not in Public
- My son grabs his when he's naked, when he's not, when he's playing, when he's eating, when ever he can… it's not a big deal. My hubby holds his all the time… It's just a guy thing. When he does it in public, I just tell him to play with his wanker when we get home and not in Wal-Mart. He stops.
- —Guest Kiey
Do it in the Bedroom or Bathroom
- I have two sons, one four and a half and one six months, and they each play with their penises on occasion. We tell our older son that he can touch his penis in his own room or in the bathroom, and we've not had any problems. I would not worry about this behavior.
- —Guest SAHD of 3
Don't Overreact
- Our son touches himself on the potty, when we change his diaper, when we go swimming, etc. We don't make a fuss becase it's a normal human thing. The more we parents stress out over stuff like this, the more kids will do it just to get your reaction.
- —Guest BDaddy 2005
Learning About the Body is Healthy
- I am a single mom to a very healthy 3 year old boy. And yes, he does like to play with his penis occasionally. In fact, the first time he did that he became erect while at the potty and then said "Uh-oh Mommy, what happened??" We both laughed at it and I still think it is funny. I don't see any harm in him learning about his body and the way that it is intended to work.
- —Guest Kathy
Do it in Private
- My grandson does the same thing and it's perfectly normal, as I told his mom. He's just curious as to what that thing is hanging between his legs. Wouldn't you be if you were a little boy? We just explain to him to do it in private when no one is looking.
- —Guest Patti
Stop Worrying About It
- Some people must live with heads buried in the sand. I’m kicking 50, And years ago people where under the idea that it’s a sick thing to do. I think to tell a child that is a dangerous thing to do. Please don’t do that. kids have enough to worry about now days without hearing it from their own parents. Masturbation is normal for boys, girls, men and women. If you say it's not, or that you don't then someone's telling stories. Just explain when it's O.K. and it's a private act. Stop worring especially when they are at such a young age.
- —Guest Nana
Let Him Be Naked
- Well.. you could just let him be naked.. in the back yard naked with the potty there too.. gives you a good chance for him to air out (good for the skin) and learn about his body (good for his brain) and feel good about himself (good for his psyche). Or I suppose you could tell him it’s dirty and bad and that he should fear the strange appendage...
- —Guest Dave
Hands Out!
- I started saying "hands out" very neutrally when he began to do it a lot, and now I have to say that less and less. I also say "you can touch your penis when you’re naked." It works for him.
- —Guest Mom of 2 Toddlers
It's Totally Normal
- I've seen lots of little boys (and, frankly, big "boys" :) ) do this, I think it's totally normal. My toddler is recently potty trained, and the new sensation of NOT wearing a diaper seems to have drawn his attention to his penis. I've had a few run-ins with my husband, because to me, it's not a big deal and it's totally age-appropriate (he's 3 1/2). We haven't had an issue in public yet, if we do, I will correct that behavior as a specific issue. I think making a big deal about it is more likely to create an issue than just ignoring it. We try to treat it as just another body part, like an elbow or nose. The one issue I have had is one of my boys grabbing the others penis (I also have a 16-month old) in the tub; I've explained to my older boy that his penis is private, and that it's ok for him to touch, but he shouldn't touch anyone else's. That did the trick, so far.
- —Guest Tawny Lee
It's Natural and Private
- YES…ALL boys play with their penises! It is natural, you just need to explain that it is something that is to be done in private. Kids will explore themselves, it is a natural development, we as parents just have to teach when and where it is appropriate to do those "private things."
- —Guest Carrie
