My 16 month old daughter enjoys humping pillows. Should I be worried?

Diane - posted on 11/08/2011

Children masterbating is completely normal at any age. It is HOW they do it and WHEN they do it and What is said by them while doing it that gives red flags. Otherwise it is as normal a physical function for them as an adult or teen or tween. I am always a bit startled by some of the medical advice on here. Unless we are doctors or nurses we need to gently advise mothers to go to their physician if suspicion of anything else. Even yeast infections! There are numerous factors in a yeast infection that a clinical physician looks at before advising treatment. One is the TYPE of yeast (if indeed it is yeast) that needs to be treated and Two if it isn't yeast trying home treatments for yeast can exacerbate other conditions! Ie; allergies to dairy products, the overload on the kidneys when using products like cranberry juice (which is also a dehydrator and stimulant to kidneys). An ounce of caution is worth a ton of cure, please lean to the side of caution when using home remedy advice given here. Respectfully, Diane ASHS

Hush - posted on 01/28/2011

Turtle does this too in fact when she is at the toilet she say "I put her finger in her gina (vagina) hole" she often tried to hump when in bed or sit on our feet and want us to lift her using our feet to lift.
I was told this is normal until about 4.

Kristen - posted on 01/27/2011

LIke the other ladies have said, give her yogurt or a probiotic to make sure she doesnt have a yeast infection. Other than that, it feels good, just like it does for us. Don't make a big deal out of it. If this continues until she is 3 or 4 you can start to talk to her about "private things" versus "Public things".

Beth - posted on 01/24/2011

I used to work day care, and little girls did this a lot during nap time. Our director said it was normal and shouldn't be made a big deal of. I would also be giving her yogurt since she is on antibiotic, the yogurt will naturally fight the formation of yeast which will cause her to want to "hump" things.

Laura - posted on 01/24/2011

My 2 yr old does the same thing. Even dad's knee is used actually it seems to her favourite. I think it's normal. They aren't doing it to be perverted or anything to them it just feels nice. Try and distract her if you feel it's at an inapropiate time or place or if it really bothers you.

Delani - posted on 01/23/2011

just a side note... make sure you are feeding her yogurt, the antibiotics can cause a yeast infection... I have that problem when I am on them... if she is allergic to dairy products also use cranberry juice... would use the cranberry juice watered down for at least a week after the antibiotic... hope this help... Cetaphil is an awesome for all sorts of rashes..

Heather - posted on 01/22/2011

My little girl ' plays' with herself and she is two but the dr says it's normal because it makes get feel secure because it's something she can control but I try to distract her sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't but I feel like it's ok because at least the doctor says it's normal lol

Nina - posted on 01/22/2011

Hey Delani
She's just been on antibiotics the last week. She had a really bad nappy rash that started from being allergic to wheatbix, but then she got hit with chicken pox the same time and her nappy rash was the worst hit...maybe that could explain, but the doctors gave her antibiotics and another cream to use which thankfully is doing a lot for her...maybe that could explain why then..it makes sense. Thanks so much for that

Delani - posted on 01/22/2011

you may want to make sure she does not have in infection, this may be causing relief by scratching and itch.

Nina - posted on 01/22/2011

Thanks Casey, yeah I'll do that

Casey - posted on 01/21/2011

I don't know if it is normal or not for little girls to do this cause I have only had little boys so far, but I don't think I would worry to much about it, however if it is bothering you then just find something to else to distract her and remove the cushions.