Toddler Putting Hands In Diaper? Trust The Answer

New parents often wonder if this is typical behavior. In fact, it’s incredibly normal. They explore their bodies the same way they learn about their noses, toes, ears, and fingers.

Touching their body, including their genitals, can occur at different stages as children grow. There is no reason to scold or embarrass your child for touching their genitals.

Should you do something if your baby touches himself?

When children touch their genitals, parents don’t know whether to address or ignore the behavior.

If you discourage your child from touching their genitals by removing their hands, but encourage them to discover and play with their fingers or toes, you are sending a confusing message.

Unlike adults, infants and young children are not yet aware of the sexual nature of the genitals. They simply discover and explore their world – including their bodies.

Studies have shown that genital touching is common in early childhood. Sometimes children are so interested in their bodies that they want to show off different parts of their bodies. How you, as a parent, respond to this curiosity affects how your child views their body and their sexuality.

If you strongly disapprove of your child showing off an interesting part of their body, they may feel the need to be mysterious. They may even be ashamed of their bodies. But if you practice tolerance and understanding for your child’s emerging sexual awareness, you can teach your child to respect their body and be proud of it.

Q: OK, my son is now 3 years old and has started playing with his penis. He tells me it’s “big” and I’m not sure how to answer that. I have never seen this topic discussed. How do you explain privacy to a young boy and get him to keep his penis in his pants?

A: Don’t worry – you are not alone. This is a very common phenomenon at this age and is completely normal. Your son is exploring and learning about his body and he’ll tell you what he thinks about it! That is a good thing. You want to make sure he has positive body image, so how you handle that interaction is very important.

First of all, when you’re speechless, simply repeating a version of what he said (yes, you’re a big boy and getting bigger every day) buys you some time and confirms his observation. A positive response will boost your son’s confidence and language skills as you discuss his observations together.

It’s also important to put your growing body awareness into context by saying something like: You have a big, strong body, and your penis is an important part of it. That’s how you pee and I know it feels good to touch too. You can also point out his strong legs, big body, wobbly toes, ticklish belly button and all his other body parts. This builds his vocabulary and gives him a better understanding of his own body.

Also remember that the more factually (and less emotionally!) you respond to his penis comments, the less power it gives them, making them less likely to engage with them. (My friend, who banned her 4-year-old from using the word “butt,” was dismayed to hear how quickly he could switch tactics and start each sentence with “But…” to circumvent the rule.) The key is, to be comfortable with the language you are using and the information you are sharing. When you discuss this behavior with him, do it in a gentle and non-judgmental way. Young children are very sensitive and notice our tone of voice and facial expressions, not just our words. If he senses that you are angry or embarrassed about his actions, it can create shame that can have a lasting negative impact on his body image.

If you see your son playing with his penis, set some reasonable limits for that behavior and explain why. For example: Your penis is a private part of your body. That’s why we go to the potty privately – to the bathroom. So if you want to touch your penis, you have to do it in private, e.g. B. in the bathroom or in your bedroom.

If you see him sticking his hands down his pants as subtly as possible, walk up to him and remind him that he either needs to stop or go somewhere private. Some parents set up a special sign with their child to remind them what the rule is so as not to embarrass them in front of others. And remember, when you help your son learn the new rules of touching his penis, he’s going to need plenty of reminders.

6 common signs of potty training readiness

Whether your child is about to start potty training sooner or later, your child will let you know when it is time. This emerging independence shines through and they strive to please. Now is the time to actively look for these signs of potty training readiness.

If your child shows two or more of these signs, it’s a good indication that they’re ready to start potty training:

Pulling on a wet or dirty diaper Hiding to pee or poop Showing interest in or copying others’ use of the potty Having a dry diaper longer than usual Waking up dry after a nap Telling them they’re going are walking or have just gone into their diaper

If you’re still not sure you’re ready, take our potty training readiness quiz. This fun quiz will help you identify some of these signs of potty training readiness and determine when it’s time to move on with your family’s potty training adventure!

Are you ready?

The journey to potty training is something you and your child will undertake together, so it’s important to make sure you’re ready to start when your child is.

When a child shows readiness, it is a signal for parents to prepare the child by purchasing products such as a small potty, training pants, and children’s books on using the toilet. You can also let your child practice potty training.

That’s the cue for parents to prepare the child by purchasing products like a small potty, training pants, and children’s books on using the toilet. You can also let your child practice potty training. Browse Pull-Ups.com’s Potty Training Tips section for more advice and tips, and use the educational games, quizzes and songs to motivate your child.

Visit the Pull-Ups.com potty training tips section for more advice and tips and use the educational games, quizzes and songs to keep your child motivated. Remember the basics of being a good trainer for your potty trainer and keep things motivated from the start by being patient, positive and consistent.

being a good trainer for your potty trainer and motivating things from the start by being patient, positive and consistent. Focus on what your child is doing right. Stay optimistic. They’ll make it smoother, easier, and more rewarding for both of you.

Things to consider when you start potty training

Toilet training is a developmental process. Children’s bodies and brains are constantly evolving, and each new phase lays the foundation for the ones to come. No amount of teaching can make these developments happen before their time.

So don’t try potty training if your child is already going through a lot of changes. Here are 10 examples of when NOT to force potty training:

Witnessing the birth of a sibling Moving to a new home or other major family changes Transitioning from crib to Big Kid bed Stopping using a bottle at night Stopping breastfeeding Stopping the pacifier Starting daycare or moving to a new school . experience illness. Being in the middle of the holidays and there’s already a cascade of sweets, lots of late nights and excitement in the air. Feeling pressure from an outside force – like a daycare center or a well-meaning relative – to go to the potty Child, but your child isn’t ready yet

Stabilize the family ship before launching a new skill like potty training. And besides, YOU don’t need any extra strain from potty training, even in stressful times! Waiting for things to settle down will ensure potty training seas are enjoyable — and successful — for the whole family.

A successful start

When you and your child are ready to start potty training, make it a big occasion. Mark the beginning of potty training with the introduction of Pull-Ups® training pants and the potty seat. Don’t worry about hard and fast deadlines. No matter what your mom told you, there is no right age to start potty training.

stay positive Keep it fun. With a positive attitude and a little creativity, potty training can really be more about quality time. Find ways to encourage your child’s early interest.

With a positive attitude and a little creativity, potty training can really be more about quality time. Find ways to encourage your child’s early interest. Make fun activities like decorating the potty chair, choosing rewards, or creating a special potty progress chart together.

with activities like decorating the potty chair, choosing rewards, or creating a special potty progress chart together. Use incentives. Don’t forget to load the praise and rewards from the start. Bragging rights and the expectation of applause are powerful motivators for your child. So find those moments to celebrate and share them with everyone in your child’s cheer zone.

Don’t forget to load the praise and rewards from the start. Bragging rights and the expectation of applause are powerful motivators for your child. So find those moments to celebrate and share them with everyone in your child’s cheer zone. On your marks, get set… not yet! If your child starts off well but then gets hopelessly stuck, don’t worry! It’s not uncommon for the potty chair to return to the closet for weeks or even months. If your child loses interest, wait a few weeks and then try again.

If your child starts off well but then gets hopelessly stuck, don’t worry! It’s not uncommon for the potty chair to return to the closet for weeks or even months. If your child loses interest, wait a few weeks and then try again. Learn more about regression here.

The real secret to successful potty training is to wait until your child shows signs of willingness that indicate an interest in toilet training. Like so many skills your child will acquire, potty training requires a willingness to develop and cannot be tied to a time limit. Just think of patience; Your big child will be potty trained at the right time!

“My daughter is almost two years old and she plays with her poop, which she takes out of her diaper and wipes off her hands, onto her sheets, her clothes and her crib. I’ve read that’s a sign that she’s curious about her bodily functions and her willingness to potty train. But we tried the potty and she only used it once. My mom says she’s not ready yet, but I can’t let her play with her poop anymore. Help!” ~Rebecca R.

It sounds like you have a Poop Picasso on your hands, or really on your hands (seriously, the stuff that’s considered art these days!). let’s talk about how to convince them to be less productive…or at least switch mediums.

Everything you’ve read is true, at least sometimes to some degree, about some toddlers. Interest in potty products (both pee and poop) is often a sign of interest in potty training and a degree of willingness. (That means even if the door is open, wee-skilling usually comes before poop.)

Certainly she’s more ready now than she was as a baby, when pooping was something that happened (sort of) without her noticing much. Back then she might have complained after sitting in a dirty diaper (although not every baby does), but other than that the content wasn’t the least bit interesting.

Now they definitely are. Your interest may have been sparked by her brief exposure to the potty arts (you may have read her books on poop) or just a toddler’s natural curiosity. A first diaper dive was fascinating for you, and that plus your reaction (I leave with a mixture of shock, disgust, maybe just a touch of amusement, lots of big eyes and raised eyebrows and wrinkled noses and high-pitched screams. …understandably!) drove her to diaper dips number two and three…and more. What’s in here, she realized, is squishy, ​​spreadable, sticks to walls and furniture like magic – and boy does it ever catch Mommy’s attention!

Sometimes kids with sensory issues or developmental disabilities, or a kid who’s had some sort of trauma, do a lot of diaper diving, but for most toddlers, it’s just the urge to explore that motivates. All normal, of course, age appropriate at this point. You might know and appreciate that, but you probably don’t appreciate the smell or the mess (who would?). Potty pressing is unlikely to prove helpful and could escalate their antics or lead to painful and unproductive restraint. However, it makes sense to make the connection between poop and the potty — that poop belongs in the potty. On the way to a soak in the tub to wash her clean, let her come along to rinse away what’s left of the poop, even if it’s just a little Resi-Doo (if she loves a tub, lather her up standing up on). get up lest she be rewarded with a hilarious bath for her chaotic mess). Having her help clean up the mess she’s made can create an educational moment — but it can also create a risk of infection if she puts her hands in her mouth before you can wash them thoroughly. Poop carries germs that can make them sick if ingested, even if it’s their own poop.

Of course, try to catch her and preempt her with a diaper change before she burrows in… and reinforce those opportunities even when she wasn’t actually knowingly cooperating: “Good job, keep your poop in your diaper!” Watch out on the other hand, if you catch them pooping with their hands, to correct their behavior clearly and calmly and consistently: “We don’t touch poop. arm is dirty. Now we have to wash it off.”

This habit will get old (and ho-hum) for them, especially if you’re relentlessly boring in your response and perseverance. In the meantime, though, there are a few other tricks you can try if you haven’t already. First, make the diaper area as inaccessible as possible (put her in footed one-piece pajamas that are difficult to remove or coveralls that are pulled on backwards and tape her diaper in place to make it harder to get in). ). A one-piece romper with no snaps or zippers can also help keep them (and their poop) in check. When using cloth diapers, avoid easy-to-tear Velcro.

Something else to explore: these other mediums. Have them finger paint (if they enjoy it; not every toddler does) or play clay. Or, yes, even with food she can enjoy with her fingers. (Like soft chunks of bananas…hey, why not…dipped in a little lukewarm melted chocolate?)

And remember, the door to potty training is still open, and eventually she will make it across the threshold and close the chapter (sorry for the mixed metaphors) on poop diapers altogether. Watch for signs of readiness and keep the potty away. Should you decide to go in headfirst, bootcamping (underwear or home naked) often works well, albeit without the pressure to perform and with lots of positive reinforcements (stickers I prefer candy, both for dental reasons and because candy or other food reinforcements can cause food fights organize and more).

Here’s to keeping poop in place!

Hug Heidi

Help me, Heidi! is a weekly advice column where What to Expect creator Heidi Murkoff answers your most pressing pregnancy and parenting questions. She tackles the things you’re dying to know right now – so if you have a question, ask Heidi here or on Facebook and she might respond in an upcoming column.

Sexuality is a normal part of life, even for babies and toddlers. Like other aspects of development such as motor skills or emotional intelligence, sexual behavior is healthy and usually expected and follows a typical childhood trajectory.

Most children discover their penis or vulva at a similar early stage of development. They might “play with their privates” on the side, as part of self-discovery or because it feels good. Sometimes a child will also show interest in looking at other people’s genitals. This behavior often starts around the age of 2 and decreases in both boys and girls after the age of 6.

Although a young child’s interest in their own or another person’s genitals is a normal part of sexual development, it can be worrying or uncomfortable for some family members or friends. In a public setting, a child’s sexual behavior, however innocent, can create embarrassing moments for a child care worker, a parent, or even other children.

This behavior is mostly harmless and part of healthy sexual development. However, certain behaviors can also be a warning sign of stress or potential abuse.

Here are guidelines on what is normal and what to expect when it comes to early sexual development. Also, find tips on how to help children understand what is and is not appropriate touch.

What is typical

Young children typically engage in a variety of normal behaviors in which they explore their own or their peers’ private parts. Babies sometimes touch their own penis or vulva during diaper changes to discover their own body parts, just as they would grab their toes or their face.

Around preschool age, children may show more curiosity specifically about private parts, what makes them different from other parts of our body, and how boys’ and girls’ bodies differ. At ages 2 to 6, the following are common early sexual behaviors. However, in typical development, children tend to rarely engage in these behaviors and are easily distracted:

Being interested in looking at other people who are naked

Looking at or touching a sibling’s genitals

Masturbate at home or in public

show their genitals to their peers

Sits or stands too close to others

Touching her genitals at home or in public

Sometimes normally developing children exhibit less frequent or unusual early sexual behavior. While these behaviors are not necessarily a cause for alarm, they may warrant a discussion with a pediatrician to investigate possible causes, such as: B. a new sibling or exposure to sexual content (e.g. in a movie) or accidentally observing sexual behavior at home.

These less typical sexual behaviors include:

Engaging in any of the above sexual behaviors more than occasionally

Inserting objects into their own genitals

Imitation of sexual acts or intercourse

rubbing your body against others

Touching an adult’s genitals

Attempting to tongue kiss others

Young children may occasionally touch themselves, show their genitals to peers, or try to look at other people’s privates. These actions are part of a normal phase in early sexual development. While it may feel a little surprising, alarming, or uncomfortable, know that for the most part, this behavior is expected and is a healthy part of self-exploration and testing boundaries.

how to react

The appropriate response to children playing with their private parts or showing interest in other people’s genitals depends on where these behaviors occur and how persistent they are. Most child experts warn that there’s a big difference between innocent self-discovery and sexual behavior that upsets others or signals your own child’s distress.

Private vs Public

When your child is exploring their own body in the privacy of your home, avoid scolding or shaming them. They are probably just doing what feels natural to them and not acting in ways that adults would see as sexual. If you notice your child touching themselves, exposing themselves, or showing interest in other people’s naked bodies, it may be a sign that it’s time to talk to them about the name and basic functions of the sex organs .

When discussing their private parts with young children, it’s best to adopt a matter-of-fact tone and use anatomically correct terms such as penis/testicles, vagina/vulva, and breasts. Made-up names can be confusing or convey to children that there is something shameful about those body parts. Giving terminology about genitals builds the children’s vocabulary for future discussions and helps build a bond of trust.

An open, no-nonsense approach can make it easier for children to come to you with questions like making babies. Even if these questions come up before you plan to talk about sex with your child, it’s a good idea to answer them truthfully, with as little or as much detail as you think the individual child is willing to understand. Note, however, that simple answers often suffice.

If a child is playing with or examining their genitals in public, feel free to stop the behavior.

Discourage them quickly, but without judgment or making a child feel “bad.” Young children may also interpret parental reactions, such as shame, laughter, or embarrassment, as positive responses, which may encourage them to continue the very behavior you are trying to discourage.

Even young children can understand that certain things shouldn’t be done in public, whether it’s screaming in church or taking your penis out of your pants on the playground. Explain that a person’s privates are just that—private—and that people may feel uncomfortable showing them to others.

Appropriate vs. inappropriate touching

Some children’s early sexual behavior may involve curiosity about other people’s genitals. Experts say that preschool age is about the right time to start explaining the difference between appropriate touches — like high-fives, handshakes, and hugs — and inappropriate touches.

Your child may smack a friend’s butt, tickle them, or even lean in for a sudden hug in a way that would make a peer uncomfortable. A good rule to reinforce with children is that they should ask another person before touching or hugging them. You should also teach them that it is not appropriate to touch another person’s body parts that a bathing suit might cover, or in any way to allow a friend to express themselves through words (like “stop” or “no”) or actions ( how to withdraw) resisted.

It is equally important to explain to young children what it means when another person touches them in an inappropriate way. Children should learn as early as possible to tell you immediately if a peer or adult is touching their privates or any part of their body in a way that hurts, scares, or is just “gross.”

You should also let her know that it’s okay not to want to hug or kiss someone — not even grandparents or your favorite teacher. Teach them to hold up a hand for a high-five or punch instead.

Possible signs of concern

Sometimes young children exhibit more sexual behavior at home or elsewhere due to certain new circumstances or exposures. Sometimes this is unavoidable and often it is nothing to worry about. However, you may need to work more with your child to teach boundaries and help them understand what are appropriate sexual behaviors and language in public and private settings.

For example, a newborn sibling whose genitals are exposed during a diaper change, or a nursing parent who has more exposure than usual, can cause children to become more curious about their own or others’ private parts. Children living in households where adults are frequently nude or engage in more open sexual activity are more likely to engage in sexualized play. Exposure to R-rated or adult content can also lead to this behavior.

Possible signs of sexual abuse

However, it is important to understand that certain early sexual behaviors can be a red flag that a child is being abused. About 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 13 boys will experience sexual abuse at some point in their childhood. Hard as it may be to imagine, this abuse is often committed by someone known to the child, e.g. a family friend, relative, or authority figure such as a coach or teacher.

The following sexual behaviors in young children are rarely normal, and experts recommend that parents contact their child’s pediatrician, their local child protection department, or the National Sexual Assault Hotline (800-656-HOPE) if their children: they show:

A child’s anger when a parent or caregiver asks them to stop engaging in sexual behavior

Compulsive sexual behavior (i.e., one child tries to force another child to do something, or feels compelled to do something)

Sexual behavior between children who are 4 years or more apart

Sexual behaviors that are very aggressive in nature

Sexual behavior that causes emotional distress or pain in a child

If you think your child or someone else’s child is being abused, call the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline at 800-656-HOPE (4673). You will be connected to experts in your area who can advise you on whether you should seek professional input or immediate help.

A word from Verywell

Curiosity about genitals is a normal part of early sexual development. When young children touch their own genitals or show interest in looking at other people’s privates, they are most likely doing what young children were born to do: learn about themselves and the world around them.

However, sometimes persistent, aggressive, or overt sexual behavior can be a sign that a child has seen or experienced something confusing or exciting. For this reason, it is important to talk to young children about their private parts and inappropriate touching to protect children from an early age. The more comfortable children are in speaking openly about human sexuality, the more likely they will come to you with problems or questions as they grow up.

Potty Training: How to Get the Job Done Potty training is an important milestone. Get the facts on timing, technique and how to deal with accidents. By Mayo Clinic staff

Potty training is a big step for kids — and their parents. The secret of success? timing and patience.

is it time

Potty training success depends on physical, developmental, and behavioral milestones, not age. Many children show signs of potty training ready between the ages of 18 and 24 months. However, others may not be ready until they are 3 years old. There is no rush. If you start too early, it may take longer to train your child.

Is your child ready? ask yourself:

Can your child walk to a toilet and sit on it?

Can your child pull their pants down and back up?

Can your child stay dry for up to two hours?

Can your child understand and follow basic instructions?

Can your child tell you when to leave?

Does your child seem interested in going to the bathroom or wearing “big kid” underwear?

If you answered mostly yes, your child may be ready. If you answered mostly “no,” you might want to wait—especially if your child is about to make a big change, such as a new baby. B. a move or the arrival of a new sibling.

Your readiness is also important. Let your child’s motivation, rather than your eagerness, guide the process. Try not to equate potty training success or difficulty with your child’s intelligence or stubbornness. Also, remember that accidents are inevitable and penalties are irrelevant. Schedule toilet training when you or a caregiver can devote the time and energy to being consistent daily for a few months.

Ready, Set, Go!

When it’s time to start potty training:

Choose your words. Decide what words you will use for your child’s bodily fluids. Avoid negative words like dirty or smelly.

Decide what words you will use for your child’s bodily fluids. Avoid negative words like dirty or smelly. Prepare the equipment. Put a potty chair in the bathroom or where your child spends most of their time. Encourage your child to start with the potty chair fully clothed. Make sure your child’s feet are resting on the floor or a chair. Use simple, positive terms to talk about the toilet. You might toss the contents of a dirty diaper down the potty chair and toilet to show its purpose. Have your child flush the toilet.

Put a potty chair in the bathroom or where your child spends most of their time. Encourage your child to start with the potty chair fully clothed. Make sure your child’s feet are resting on the floor or a chair. Use simple, positive terms to talk about the toilet. You might toss the contents of a dirty diaper down the potty chair and toilet to show its purpose. Have your child flush the toilet. Schedule potty breaks. Have your child sit on the potty or toilet without a diaper for a few minutes every two hours, first thing in the morning, and right after nap time. For boys, it’s often best to master urination while seated and then stand up after the bowel workout is complete. Stay with your child and read a book together or play with a toy while they sit. Let your child stand up if they want to. Even if your child just sits there, praise them for trying—and remind them they can try again later. Take the potty chair with you when you are not at home with your child.

Have your child sit on the potty or toilet without a diaper for a few minutes every two hours, first thing in the morning, and right after nap time. For boys, it’s often best to master urination while seated and then stand up after the bowel workout is complete. Stay with your child and read a book together or play with a toy while they sit. Let your child stand up if they want to. Even if your child just sits there, praise them for trying—and remind them they can try again later. Take the potty chair with you when you are not at home with your child. Arrive – fast! Act quickly if you notice signs your child may need to use the bathroom — such as: B. squirming, squatting or holding the genital area. Help your child become familiar with these signals, stop what they are doing and go to the toilet. Praise your child for telling you when to leave. Keep your child in loose, easy-to-take-off clothing.

Act quickly if you notice signs your child may need to use the bathroom — such as: B. squirming, squatting or holding the genital area. Help your child become familiar with these signals, stop what they are doing and go to the toilet. Praise your child for telling you when to leave. Keep your child in loose, easy-to-take-off clothing. explain hygiene. Teach girls to spread their legs and gently wipe from front to back to prevent germs from entering the rectum into the vagina or bladder. Make sure your child washes their hands afterwards.

Teach girls to spread their legs and gently wipe from front to back to prevent germs from entering the rectum into the vagina or bladder. Make sure your child washes their hands afterwards. Leave the diapers off. After a few weeks of successful potty breaks and staying dry during the day, your child may be ready to trade in diapers for training pants or underwear. Celebrate the transition. Have your child return to diapers if they cannot stay dry. Consider using a positive reinforcement sticker or star chart.

If your child refuses to use the potty chair or the toilet or doesn’t get it out within a few weeks, take a break. He or she is probably not ready yet. Pushing your child when they’re not ready can lead to a frustrating power struggle. Try again in a few months.

night training

Naps and night training usually last longer. Most children between the ages of 5 and 7 can stay dry at night. In the meantime, use disposable training pants and mattress covers when your child sleeps.

Accidents will happen

Dealing with accidents:

Stay calm. Do not scold, discipline, or shame your child. You could say, “You forgot this time. Next time you come to the toilet earlier.”

Do not scold, discipline, or shame your child. You could say, “You forgot this time. Next time you’ll come to the bathroom earlier.” Be prepared. Have underwear and a change of clothes available, especially at school or childcare.

When to seek help

If your child seems ready for potty training but is struggling, talk to your child’s doctor. He or she can offer you advice and check to see if there is an underlying problem.

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This article was co-authored by Catherine Palomino, MS. Catherine Palomino is a former daycare manager in New York. She received her MS in Elementary Education from CUNY Brooklyn College in 2010. This article has been viewed 56,745 times.

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It’s not uncommon for toddlers to bottom-touch, but if they do it around other people, there are ways you can teach them to stop. If you notice your toddler touching himself, remain calm and try to divert his attention to something else, such as something else. B. on his favorite toy. This is much more effective than blaming or punishing them as it can confuse and upset them. Calmly explain that it’s okay to touch yourself when they’re private, but not around other people or in public. If they touch themselves a lot and don’t seem interested in anything else, they may be doing it to deal with stress. If so, help him find other ways to express his feelings, such as taking deep breaths and talking about how he’s feeling. Read on for more advice from our child care co-author, including how to prevent your toddler from inappropriately touching other children.

Think about how you prefer to relax at home. After a hard day’s work, you might flop onto the couch, put on a game, put your feet up. . . and slip your hands into your pants.

That’s exactly what guys do. Many men reach for their junk both privately and in public without batting an eyelid. This includes fully dipping your hands into your underwear, occasionally reaching down to adjust your pack, or even just playing a little pocket pool.

How come you do it? These three surprising reasons might explain why.

More from Men’s Health

(For more cool guy science — and 2,000+ awesome life hacks to help you get stronger, healthier, and sexier — check out The Better Man Project, the brand new book from the Editor-in-Chief of Men’s Health.)

1. It protects your package

Putting your hands between your precious jewels and the potential dangers of the outside world makes you feel comfortable and secure, says Vanessa Van Edwards, author of Human Lie Detection and Body Language 101: Your Guide to Reading People’s Nonverbal Behavior.

Guys subconsciously assume this position when they’re relaxing because they feel more comfortable when their vital organs aren’t in danger. “You can think of the hand there as insurance against a friend who might hit them with a nut, or a kid who accidentally hits a ball at them,” says Van Edwards. Perhaps that explains why Major League Baseball players are constantly rearranging their trash at the plate.

(And you’re right to be a little cautious. Here are the 10 worst things that can happen to your penis.)

2. It relaxes your nerves

Are you about to make a big pitch or close a deal? Rubbing the stomach or other parts of the body in a non-erotic manner triggers the release of oxytocin, a calming hormone, according to a study in the journal Frontiers in Psychology.

This may be why touching your junk can be comforting. But since massaging the groin in a boardroom could get you fired, Van Edwards often encourages nervous speakers to stroke or touch their arms or neck to reduce anxiety. Of course, none of this applies if you’re an MLB player

3. It helps you assert your dominance

If you face a business competitor with your hands in your pants, you could be consciously or unconsciously trying to figure out who’s boss, says Rob Kominiarek, DO, family physician and founder of the Alpha Male Medical Institute.

Telling other people to back off by pointing at your junk helps you mark your territory, he says. Evolutionarily, whoever mates the most wins — even if nowadays that means winning customers and accounts rather than producing offspring.

As a mother of two, I can safely say that very few things surprise me…especially when it comes to parenting. Still, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t shocked at the number of times I’ve had to tell my son to literally keep his pants on when we’re out in public, visiting a friend, or entertaining company. For two years, between the ages of 1 and 3, the odds were high that I was frantically googling “why do toddlers love to take off their pants?” while my child was walking around in his underwear screaming like a half-naked man possessed. But it turns out there’s a reason our kids love getting rid of their pants, and it’s not just to embarrass the you-know-what of us.

“The number one reason toddlers take their clothes off is discomfort,” Maureen Healy, author of The Emotionally Healthy Child and child development expert at Growinghappykids.com, tells Romper. “They have fitted pants or just prefer the feel of their birthday suit. Boys and girls may also enjoy the attention they receive when they are not wearing clothes, which helps them feel cared for.”

Healy says another reason our kids love hanging out panty-free is to show off a newly learned skill. If they can get dressed – or in this case undressed – they want to demonstrate that ability, even if it’s not at what we think is the right time or place.

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Regardless of the reasons above, Healy says that children who take their pants off are developmentally normal. “[Her child] is doing everything in [her] power to be comfortable in this world, which includes removing clothing that makes [him] feel itchy, constricted, or uncomfortable in any way. Of course, that’s not always appropriate, but that’s a separate issue in relation to your family, culture, and community norms.

Our society has a notoriously problematic relationship with nudity, even when it comes to children. Therefore, how we respond to our children taking off their pants is of crucial importance. “Parents who can respond from a place of stillness can help their son or daughter through this experience,” says Healy. According to Healy, the best approach is to acknowledge what is happening and, depending on the situation, allow your child to be naked or, if you don’t find it acceptable given the situation, coach them to put their clothes back on.

We just want to be our child’s calm and patient guide as they strip off all their clothes at the post office.

“Often these situations require some ‘fancy footwork’ to help your child put the clothes back on by giving them praise or rewards later,” says Healy. Other option? For this situation, have a spare set of clothes on hand in case your child takes off their pants because that particular pair of pants is uncomfortable.

What you shouldn’t do, according to Healy, is use shame to convince your child that they need to wear clothes. “Kids’ bodies are healthy, being naked is a beautiful experience,” says Healy. “We just want to be our child’s calm and patient guide as they strip off all their clothes at the post office.” Healy says this requires parents to keep their “emotional houses” in order. As parents, we should rely on our own coping skills and recognize that this is just a phase that our children will eventually grow out of. And while no parent is perfect, and neither do we have to be, according to Healy, we must “do our best and help our children by learning how to behave in social situations.”

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Sure, it can be pretty embarrassing when you’re in the cereal aisle and your kid decides their pants are no longer comfortable. And yes, no one really wants to find themselves in a situation where their child is “showing off their new Entrobing skills” when visiting family and/or friends. But coming from a place of calm understanding, patience, and unconditional love while training your children to get back dressed through positive reinforcement will ensure that this pants-free phase is just that: a phase. (And hey, it’ll make for some really hilarious stories someday.)

As babies grow older, they use their mouths to explore the world. It’s normal for children between the ages of 18 and 24 months to put everything in their mouths. This helps their sensorimotor development. It helps them learn more about an object, e.g. B. how big it is, how hard or soft it is and how it is shaped. The mouth acts like a second pair of eyes, giving the brain additional information about the objects in the world. This behavior typically subsides by the age of 18 months, but may continue until the age of two. In this article, I will examine why some children continue to engage in oral sensory search beyond this age. I’ll reflect on why they still put non-food objects in their mouths and share some ideas on how to help them.

Oral sensory seeking behavior, or mouthing objects, is normal behavior in babies and young children. They use sucking to calm and soothe themselves. This self-soothing can also be referred to as self-regulation. It explains why pacifiers or pacifiers work so well to calm an upset baby. Sucking is also an important survival reflex, essential for feeding.

You may continue to see these behaviors in children over the age of two. Remember that these behaviors are completely normal in children under the age of two. From the age of two, however, they are less common.

Common reasons a child is still putting things in their mouths after the age of two

We just want to reiterate that it is really normal for children under the age of two to put objects in their mouths. The frequency can also increase when children are teething, which is also completely normal behaviour. Here we will discuss some reasons why older children might continue with oral sensory search beyond this age.

1. The child has developmental delays

As mentioned above, children use their mouths to explore objects and their world. Older children with developmental delays may continue to use their mouths to explore objects as an 18-month-old does, as this reflects their developmental age. Although they are older on paper, having passed their birthday, their brain still processes information at a much younger age level. They are still in the sensorimotor stage of development. Because of this, they still put things in their mouths, as is normal for this stage of development. Their behavior essentially reflects their developmental age rather than their actual age. These children need more time to develop beyond this stage than their normally developing peers. Below we give some suggestions for suitable activities.

2. The child uses oral sensory search input to self-regulate or soothe

As we said above, sucking is very soothing. It’s a strategy babies use to soothe and regulate themselves. Some children continue to use this strategy when they are older. It can be a useful sign that your toddler or toddler is upset, tired, or overwhelmed. It can also be an indicator that they have no other strategy for self-soothing.

3. The child experiences sensory overload

Children with sensory processing difficulties may also put things in their mouths or chew when they are overworked. Chewing is also observed in children with autism and sensory problems. Sensory overload occurs when the child or adult has experienced too many sensory inputs from their environment. Their brains are overwhelmed by the amount of information they have to process. They therefore use oral sensory search to help with self-regulation. Chewing and sucking helps self-soothe, so it’s a strategy children and adults use to calm themselves when experiencing sensory overload. Since the jaw is one of the strongest muscles in the human body, chewing gives the brain a big boost of proprioceptive sensory input. We’ll go over some helpful ideas below, so read on.

4. In some cases, the child may have problems with his teeth

In some cases, the child may have problems with their teeth. Their adult teeth may cut through. However, it could also be a sign of tooth decay or infection. If this is suspected, the child should be examined by their dentist.

5. You may have a condition called “pica”.

Children with pica put all things, not just food, in their mouths. It can be anything from a cigarette butt to Lego, dirt or a coin. These children do not distinguish between edible and inedible objects. Research has found that between 4% and 26% of people with learning disabilities present with pica, and the

The likelihood of pica occurring increases the more severe the learning disability is. The National Autism Society suggests that the reasons for pica could be medical, dietary, sensory, or behavioral. The NHS provides information on page 23 of this booklet ‘Eating difficulties in children with disabilities’.