hands in the pants

[Honey693]

DD always has her hands down her pants. It doesn't bother me too much since I assumed it was just like sticking fingers in her nose or ears, but it drives DH insane. Like completely bonkers. During a diaper change he saw her stick her fingers up her vagina and he flipped. I think freaking out and making a big deal about it is going to make it worse, but he doesn't believe me or doesn't care, who knows. Anyone else going through this? What are you doing about it?

[amberskyfire]

DD does this all the time, too. It drives me insane, not that she's doing it, but that she does it all the time and then will stick her hands in my face or mouth. That really bothers me.

I just kept moving her hand and telling her "please keep your hands out of your crotch." As she has gotten older, it has gotten much better. Now she only does it absent-mindedly when she doesn't realize she's doing it, like while watching a video or listening to me read a story.

A friend of mine has a boy with the same problem. He has sensitive skin that is easily irritated and he will scratch himself bloody. She keeps him in outfits like onesies where he can't get his hands into his pants.

[ArcticRose]

I think this is just something kids do. Mine is 19 months and has been doing this increasingly. I've been putting her in clothes that don't allow access when we are in public... other than that, I try not to let it bother me. It's her body, she should be able to explore it and learn about it. Imo.

[LCBMAX]

Don't know if you and your dh can get into some very coarse humor re kids, but if so, you'll die laughing over this old Louis CK clip, especially the version of "hands in pants" that he riffs on around minute 7. If you don't like coarse, don't watch! Really.

I'm on the side of letting her be happy any way that feels good to her and doesn't hurt anyone else.

In our house when my 2.5 yo son goes after his bottom, I just remind him that he'll need to wash his hands when he's done, and I make sure that happens. It's just hygiene, not morality.

[MacroMama]

We tell our DS that that activity is fine, but should be done in his bedroom or the bathroom. That's helped some.

[MusicianDad]

Tell your DH that it's her vulva and she can touch it if she wants too. If he has a problem with it you would be happy to sign him up for an anatomy class or two so he can learn that it's not a horribly, dirty thing she is doing.