child masterbating

[bobbykr]

Dear Dr. Kevin Kennedy,

I am writing from Cochin, India. I have a daughter who is 18  months old. She has a normal growth, her diets are normal, everything seems to be normal till couple of days back when we found that she tightens her legs keeping it straight when on feeding. Though it was found in the recent days that she is doing it regurally even if she is lying on the bed or soffa. Recently we took her to a doctor, who said the act is basterbrating by inheritance it starts from the age groop of 8 months onwards and after some time it stops naturally, we were so shocked listening to it that we couldnot ask him the exact phrase or meaning to it.....thinking how come a 18 month old child can feel it, may be its a stupidity on our part, but at that moment we were surprised.

Doctor, I would like you to kindly advice us on the same. We would like to know what makes her do it, is it a natural thing found in kids, will it effect her in future etc.

Thanking you and looking forward to hear from you, sir.

Bobby
India

[apodacamaria]

I would get a second opinion...

[umnana]

My daughter is almost 4 and she has a similar habbit , we asked her doctor and he said that it is perfectly normal and it will go away with time , the important things are not to show her that you are upset over it , not to make her feel that she is doing anything wrong and to keep her occupied since they tend to do that when they are bored . Just remember that they are little people , they have the same feelings and sensations like we do , and they keep on exploring their bodies . What she is doing makes her feel good and that's why she does it . Divert her attention to something else that she likes to do whenever you see her doing it .

Good luck

[margypops]

Dr Kennedy is on the expert/Doctor Forum look to the right on the forum page