infant masterbation

[mummalou]

My daughter is 17 months and appears to be masterbating while in her carseat and highchair quiet frequnetley. I know masterbation is a normal behaviour but it seems to be increasing and she does it constantly while in her highchair. I didn't think it would be happening so soon. What causes it to happen this early on in life? I've read before that it can be caused by anxiety, self esteem etc, can this be true at 17 months?

[allmymarbles]

In an adult this would be a sexual act. In a 17-month-old, it isn't. But little kiddies are very touchy-feely. Your problem is that her behavior is not socially acceptable, so the first thing to do is to tell her that big girls don't do that, and she has to stop. Just be matter-of-fact about it.

As a mother I would not consider this a medical or emotional problem.

[Erin31]

My daughter was also diagnosed with infant masturbation syndrome before she reached a year old. They thought it was seizures and put her through tons of testing and medications that caused her to have delays and need physical therapy and speech therapy. Now she 4 and over the last month it has become a big problem. She was doing it while playing with 4 other kids. She just dropped and started what we call "Wiggles". It goes on for hours daily and now they are starting the EEG testing all over again. I found that she did it only when she was getting sick or over tired. However, this time no sickness and she's sleeping well for the most part and it's out of control. I'm at a loss on what to do. I can barely distract her anymore and it's happening in public and while she plays. I'm so afraid this will impact her socially and how do you explain that reasoning to a 4 year old?

[ahelpingmom]

Type in Expert Consult chapter VIII/section Twenty nine, They are talking about some type of medicine that can be used... also just type the Expert Consult infinitial masterbation rocking back & fourth and read all subjucts to get all sorts of information on this subject and medicine's that may work.Good Luck and I hope you find info that may help! Bless Everyone!!

[enav]

When i was very young my mother said that i use to masturbate by crossing my legs very tightly and rocking back and forth. Apparently I worked up a sweat doing this while sitting on the couch and tilting my head back enjoying the sensations. I would like to say that YES!! your children are masturbating and YES it is normal. Unfortunately my technique as a infant has followed me up until today and it has become a method I use here and there. Strangely, my little cousin has started doing this too, THE EXACT SAME THING AS ME but she has never seen me do that it's strange but yeah...

[mom74]

I can understand what everyone is going through.My daughter is 7 years old and she was diagnosed with infant masterbation just after she started to sit up on her own.She mostly did it in her high chair at meal time.It was so intense that she would hold her breath while she was pushing to the point of passing out.It was very scary for us.The doctor told us that she should grow out of it by the time she starts school but that hasn't been the case.Now she does it while sitting on the sofa watching t.v.I really don't know what to try next to make her stop ; if that's possible.Does anybody have any suggestions?

[jenlyn201]

I can totally understand what you are dealing with.  My 14 month old is doing the same thing  and it is getting to the point that I don't know what to do...she does is everywhere (the shopping cart, stoller, high chair, car seat)  and when she doesn't get comfort, she gets really upset.  Have you received any help with this topic?  I am ready to call my pediatrician and see what I need to do.  I have tried the distracting thing, but that only works for a minute.  HELP!  I don't know what to do!

[tmv]

I really don't see how she could feel that much through a diaper, maybe she's just happy or excited and making movements that resemble sexual excitement in adults. They go through different body movements according to their development during that time, and sometimes we think too much of them.  Hope this doesn't upset you, I just think it's probably something else. Take care and good luck with your little one.

[Ally1995]

This is not uncommon behavior in a 17 mo old. I have a friend whose daughter did this for quite a few years. Could you try giving her something else to play with or distract her? Also, what happens if you don't react to her? Pick her up, put her in her room and say "that's something you can do alone..".
Just a couple of thoughts..
But there's nothing wrong with this.

[boosty]

i dont really know what to say. i would talk to her pediatrition and see what they say. i knwo its not a bad thing or anything to worry about. i wouldnt worry too much about it but i would ask the doctor just to get an idea how this is happening. it doesnt sound like shes getting some kind of pleasure from it . just ask and see what the reasons are for her doing it. i read somewhere on the internet that infant masterbation sometimes is diagnosed wrong. i will post another comment after this when i find the website. ok?

[boosty]

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/518798

[mummalou]

thanks very much for the website, I'll check it out.

[mummalou]

No she's not touching, she's rubbing against the bar on her highchair and on the strap of her carseat....

[boosty]

are you sure shes masturbating or just touching ? my daughter constantly had her finger deep in her belly button all day long and the doctor said some kids either suck their thum, some put their fingers in their belly button or their ears. maybe your daughter is not masturbating . she is just touching and feeling . i am sure if there was another unusual place she research on her body , she would .