Self Discovery in Toddlers

i have found that when it comes to the things that little boys will do, its never silly to ask for advise. both of my boys used to yank on themselves.( my 3 1/2 still does) i would get so imbarissed if he did it in public. there father used to say thats what all boys do, but moms are different. i used to tell them if you pull on it it will fall off. now my oldest would laugh and then stop, but my youngest now he just laughs and continues on. i think this is something all boys go through and its part of exploring themselves, (like with the nose)if you just tell them its not nice to do, and leave at that eventually the polking and other forms of investigating will stop. good luck and as i have found sometimes humor is the best medicine.

Holly-
The only thing I can say is that I would try to discourage him from doing either in public. Once he gets to school you don't want calls all the time about him touching himself. When he is in the bath or in bed - let him go at it.... it's only natural that we do what feels good, right?! Just make sure he knows it's not nice to do in public, that it's a personal thing between him and himself. I never nursed (not for lack of trying) so I can't say anything about that - except on a more personal note of "you go girl" because I remember the feeling of swelled breast and it was not comfy - lol....
Good Luck-
S. B.

My 4 year old does this too. We tell him it's not nice to do that in public, you have to do it in private. So he does it where people can't see. Saying 'private' also helps reinforce the message that those areas are not for other people, i.e. strangers, to see or touch. Only family, doctors, and sitters or teachers if he needs potty help. Don't feel bad about asking, we all have kids or brothers who've done it.
Also, if you think he might be doing it for comfort, you could try introducing a lovey, like a blankie or a Hot Wheels car. Tell him if he's unhappy he can always count on it to be there. Just make sure you have about 5 identical ones; they will get lost at the worst possible times! One other thing - DO NOT let anyone make you uncomfortable about nursing so long! Nipples are there for that purpose.

I know I am a year and a 1/2 way late with this response Holly, but I only just saw it on the side panel. First of all, I think it is so wonderful that you nursed your son for 3 plus years! More moms should do that for their kids and I would have if my sons had wanted to. They did get breastmilk for over a year, but I think it would have been so cool to have nursed them for two or three years! I was devistated when my babies were no longer interested. I missed it!

When our sons were little, my husband & I would let them have naked time for an hour or so, because they enjoyed that freedom so much. We didn't see any harm in it and my kids have never been shy about their bodies. One of the cutest memories I have is of when my younger son Connor was 21 months old and he came to me, pulled on his shirt and said; "Momma, I wanna be a nay-nay boy!" It took me a minute to realize he that he meant 'naked' and it still brings a smile to my face to recall it. :) All kids explore their bodies and it's a very natural thing for all humans to do. God bless! D. N. xo

First of all, don't let anyone make you feel bad for nursing as long as you did. You were fantastic to nurse that long. Babies were meant to nurse MUCH longer than our Western civilization thinks we should, so Kuddos to you Momma!

As far as the nipple grabbing, I do believe it is a comfort issue. No harm done, right?

Here's what Dr. Sears has to say about childhood touching/masturbation.

http://www.askdrsears.com/faq/az9.asp

Good Luck!

i guess my first question would be, why did he nurse so long? it could be he feels secure holdin his nipple since he did nurse so long maybe this is the only way he knows how to get comfort.