strange problem

[varneeta]

dear doc please advise as my daughter who is 2yrs old now has adapted a very strange habit which we are unable to understand.she always rubs her vagina on bed or whereever she can which makes us really think that wheather she is masturbating in this age??she developed this habbit when she was 8 months old and started using walker and she used to rub her private parts in the walker.she doesn't do it with hands.so plz help what to do as we really get irritated and shout at her but she doesn't understand.
thanks.

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

Parents are often surprised to learn that young children can derive pleasure from stimulating their genital area. Now, before concluding that the behavior is a simple, pleasuarable experience, be sure to have her doctor evaluate her and be sure the behavior is not a reaction to inflammation, irritation, etc., because that also could be true. If all is well medically, handle it by distracting her from the behavior, not by yelling at her. You are correct in saying she does not understand, and it will only confuse her if you are yelling at her.