Children and Masterbation

[katie1188]

I have realized my 5 year old daughter has been masterbating by humping a pillow for about 2 or 3 months now. She does it on a daily basis and sometimes 2 or 3 times a day. Me and her father are very concerned about this. We have tried to make her stop but nothing seems to work. We have tried to disiplain her as well as taking away her pillows. We have put up the pillow she seems to favor but nothing worlks. My fiance is very upset about this and when he catches her doing it he puts her in time out. I am wondering what we can do about this and should we be disiplaining her or just ignore it? I have read the other articles about children and masterbation and it says to talk to the childs medical professional if it happens very freguently. Is this true and should I talk to her doctor to see if there is an underline problem that is occuring?

[lookin4answer]

I came to this forum looking for answers with the same situation.  My daughter is 4 and "stimulates" herself by rocking back and forth at the end of a chair, car sear, or bed.  She mover her legs up and down and gets all sweaty.  She's been doing it since she was 1 when we moved her to a forward facing car seat.  I had tried punishing her but that never worked.  She stopped for about a year, when she was 3, because I told her that the doctor was going to take off her legs if she keeps doing it.  I know it's a little extreme but I didn't know what else to do.  I felt bad punishing her because she is a really good kid.  Now she is 4 and a half and started doing it again.  I read somewhere that you should talk to her and tell her that other people might think she is weird for doing it and that she should only do it in private.  The thing is that we don't want her doing it at all.  When she was about 18months her doctor said it was just a case of "self stimulation" and that she would grow out of it.

I'd like to follow up w/ you to see what progress you've made and share tips on what seems to work and what doesn't work.

[katie1188]

Thank you I will try this and see what they say.

[brag68]

Katie, I always start with my daughter's pediatrician. I'm thinking maybe don't make her feel bad about doing this is what they may tell you. At any rate, my opinion is call and discuss with the doctor and he/she will give you the expert advice you need. Hope this helps.