Why does my 2 yo do this?

[Krabs]

He likes to poke my belly button, and if I don't pay attention during the day, he'll stick his finger in it when I'm not looking, like when I'm getting dressed, etc.

He also likes to lift up my shirt when I'm sitting on the couch and lift his up, and touch bellies. He thinks this is hilarious. I do too, but why is he doing that? lol

[_betsy_]

Has nursing recently slowed down or stopped? He may be craving that intimate, close touch and cuddling.

How do you react when he does it? If you're surprised and make funny noises or whatever, he's just looking for a funny reaction. If you don't react at all, maybe he's trying to get you to react.

I'd be totally crazed by that, but I'm quickly/easily touched-out. I'd probably have to put a band-aid over my bellybutton for a few days until he stops.

[MusicianDad]

I say he's doing it because he's 2 and belly buttons are a little weird if you think about it.

[fairejour]

Originally Posted by Krabs

He likes to poke my belly button, and if I don't pay attention during the day, he'll stick his finger in it when I'm not looking, like when I'm getting dressed, etc.

He also likes to lift up my shirt when I'm sitting on the couch and lift his up, and touch bellies. He thinks this is hilarious. I do too, but why is he doing that? lol

Ummm....because kids are dumb?

[Krabs]

Originally Posted by _betsy_

Has nursing recently slowed down or stopped? He may be craving that intimate, close touch and cuddling.

How do you react when he does it? If you're surprised and make funny noises or whatever, he's just looking for a funny reaction. If you don't react at all, maybe he's trying to get you to react.

I'd be totally crazed by that, but I'm quickly/easily touched-out. I'd probably have to put a band-aid over my bellybutton for a few days until he stops.

He hasn't nursed in 6 months. We cuddle a lot during the day and he sleeps with us at night.

It's a mix how I react. Sometimes he takes me by surprise (like when I have my shirt over my head and he does it) and I react and tell him to just take his finger out. of. my. belly button. Sometimes he's being obviously silly and I laugh and tell him to stick his finger in his own belly button.

He'd be really upset if I put a band aid over it. I couldn't do that to him.

Originally Posted by MusicianDad

I say he's doing it because he's 2 and belly buttons are a little weird if you think about it.

That is true!

Originally Posted by fairejour

Ummm....because kids are dumb?

nice...

[JBaxter]

Originally Posted by fairejour

Ummm....because kids are dumb?

ummm wow.. not something that has ever crossed my mind for ANY of my 4



2yr olds are starting to develop a sense of humor and noticing things around him < like mommy had a whole in the middle of her tummy. My 14 month old thinks sneezes are hillalious for some reason. Its "cool" that his little finger fits in that little hole. Its also one of those thigs you get to bring up when he's an adult. Remember when ...

My vote it that its a phase all mine have had quirky funny things they went through.

[Krabs]

Originally Posted by JBaxter

ummm wow.. not something that has ever crossed my mind for ANY of my 4

Same here. I hope that poster never tell her kids that.

[Fruitful4Him]

My LO is nearly 2 and for the past few months will pull on my ear, stick her finger in my ear, nose, eye, and belly button. She also will pinch while nursing. It is irritating..but she is just exploring, or maybe likes the way it feels; I dunno.I tell her no...just nursies...and while it doesn't stop it entirely...I guess I am too enticing, LOL... sometimes I have to just cover up the area so she doesn't see it. Other times I will just stop nursing until she can stop..but it is hard.

[not_telling]

My 17 month old likes to poke mine and DH's belly buttons, too. He thinks it's funny and we do too (unless his fingernail is particularly scratchy).

But, what he REALLY likes to do right now, especially after he's just finished nursing, is use his mouth to make big juicy fart noises on my belly. Then he grins really big. Makes me laugh every time.

[p31mom]

Is he trying to figure out what it is? I think it's a normal fascination around that age. My 21-month old likes to poke at various body parts. I name them and she tries to repeat it ~ ears, mouth, eyes, chin, button, etc. Mine will lift my shirt and poke it and say "button".

[Dov'sMom]

I have no idea, but mine does it too. He laughs and laughs when he gets his finger in there. He is also known to pull my neckline down so he can lay his cheek against my bare chest.

Now that we've been talking a lot about the new baby, he finds that a license to pick up my shirt and rub my belly whenever he wants because "Me rub da baby!" When he sticks his finger in my belly button, it's "Me poke da baby" or "Me tickle da baby." Sometimes he lifts my shirt to "show" the baby things.

[hlao23]

My 19-month-old does this too...to me and DH. I've had to be careful in public b/c sometimes he'll try to dive for it down the neck of my shirt if he can't pull my shirt up!

Just make sure you keep those nails trimmed. Scratched bellybuttons hurt!

[Umpqua]

Belly buttons are both weird and fun. I've known this since I was a baby! And isn't it nice that 2-year-olds can do this sort of thing without negative social repercussions?

[sapphire_chan]

Um, guys? I'm pretty sure "dumb" meant "goofy"/"weird".

Toddlers have their own reasons for doing stuff and it doesn't usually line up with adult ways of thinking.

[sapphire_chan]

My guess is that it's partly because his finger's a similar size to your belly button. Same reason little kids end up sticking forks in outlets and enjoy those shape sorter toys.

[geenaleigh]

My 20 month old loves to play with my belly button. He thinks it is hilarious to lift my shirt and poke my belly button. He says "beboo" and tries to get to it all the time. And he loves to blow "raspberries" on it too. I can't help but laugh.