7 Month Old Playing with Himself During Diaper Changes & Bath Time

I have 2 boys... Totally normal. Try not to make such a big deal about it. Having sons just makes it easier to understand men ;)

Just keep his nails trimmed to avoid real damage. This is normal and there's nothing to worry about.

I remeber that!! The worst is when the little bugger had a gigantic messy poop diaper - I kept a favorite truck at the changing table that he only got to play with while I changed a messy diaper. Otherwise - he is a boy - girls do it too.
Keep his nails trimmed - he will move on to new hobbies and you'll ahve new tricks to learn! don't make a big deal out of it or you'll give it too much power and he'll do it to bug you when he gets to the terrible 2 phase. My son used to stretch & pull on it in the tub so much I made my husband come watch to tell me if he was hurting himself - I had no idea those bits are so stretchy! he doesn't do it as much as he did last year - I just ignore it. He will tell me he wants "pridacy" (privacy) sometimes - and I let him close the door leaving a crack open so I can hear if he starts stringing the TP out the window or something else forbidden. ;)

I'm not sure what you mean by "playing" with himself. My daughter always reaches down there when I change her, I think it's the cold breeze and the relief of no diaper. She also holds herself for a minute or two when I put her in the tub. You may be meaning more then that, but if not, I wouldn't be concerned.

Hi D..

Yes, it is normal. He's curious about what is down there that he doesn't get to see or touch all the time. My son did it at that age and is still a very hands-on kid at age 7. The question I have is that you say he's making marks and scratching. When you see his doctor next, have her check for any fungus. Sometimes a little fungus condition will cause itching, but that is not necessarily the case and nothing to get too excited about. It could be from being cooped up in a diaper all day. Other than that, it is normal and I would just talk to him while you are changing him and tell him what he's found and assure him that it is o.k. to notice it - just like you would point out his nose, eyes, etc. That way he doesn't feel like he is bad for touching. Good luck, and keep the questions coming! Being a new mom is so exciting.

I agree with Deborah B

He'll be playing with himself for a long time. It's just the way they are, especially boys. Give him a toy to play with while you change him to distract him. He'll stop at some point and then it'll start up again, like when you're ready to potty train him. We're were having this problem with our 4 year old recently. It's a pahse that seems to come and go.

I wouldn't worry about it at all. That is a very interesting and sensitive part of his body so he is naturally going to explore it -- best to avoid making him feel like he is doing something bad or that part of his body is bad.

Hello, I don't have a son but I remember my nephews and cousins doing this. My little girl does this also I believe that this is a natural thing as they are exploring and curios as to what it is. I think making a big deal out of it will only make it a bigger issue than what it is.

My son did this since he could reach it, until just recently, when he lost interest (he's now 2 years old). We would just chock it up to him "taking inventory" to make sure it was still there. And for poopy diapers, it definitely helps to have someone else there to hold his arms down!

In a nutshell, no, there's no need for concern. This behavior is a totally normal, natural developmental stage. He is exploring his body and discovering the different parts. My little guy (7.5 months old) does the same thing as soon as the diaper comes off, so we just hold his hands out of the way until he is clean (since the hands go right back to his mouth as soon as the new diaper is on!). We also try to make sure his nails are well trimmed so that he doesn't hurt himself. Good luck & don't worry!

I think you should lighten up. After all, it's his body and he should be able to touch it when it wants to (in the privacy of your home.) You don't want him to get the idea that there's something wrong with t******* h******. As long as he's not digging down his pants and into his diaper, I say he's just exploring and has figured out there's something there and is just checking it out.

I had the same issue with my daughter who is now 2 yrs old. She would scratch until she bled sometimes. It was horrible! I tried distracting her, holding her hands, telling her no, ignoring it, you name it. I asked her pediatrician at one of her check ups and she checked her for a yeast infection and a bacterial infection, but she didn't have one. So she said some kids just are facinated more than others and eventually they grow out of it. Eventually meaning it only stopped a few months ago and still occassionally happens maybe once or twice a month. When she scratched herself that bad she would cry when she would pee in her diaper saying it hurt and I found that Desitin really helped soothe the area until it healed. So my suggestion is to have him checked by the doctor just to make sure there isn't anything wrong, but if there isn't then all I can really say is that eventually he will grow out of it. Sorry I don't have better advice than that. Good luck!

They all do this and it is just natural so just take his hands off and tell him no but if he does it still just dont make a big deal. Boys dont stop this behavior even when they are men.

My son did the same thing when he was little and still does even though he is 10. He is a boy and alot of them fondle themselves just because they can and it feels good. My boyfriend will actually hold himself while sleeping like he is trying to protect it from something. I wouldn't worry about it.

My son is almost 8 months. He has been curious about other parts of his body. Now that he knows there's more than hands and feet. I wouldn't say he's playing with himself but curious. Only when he's taking a bath or changing his diaper. I try not letting him when I'm changing his diaper because I don't want his hands to get dirty. However, I don't mind when he's taking a bath. It's just that he's curious to what it is. Just like any other part of his body. It's only for a few moments and he gets distracted by something else. If your son is only doing what my son is, I wouldn't worry about it. However, If your son is doing something different and you're still not sure, give his doctor a call.

My son did it constantly since he was very small. I've learned many of our kids have abnormal levels of testosterone (high levels). He got autism from vaccines and had many other problems, so this one was the least of my worries.
He is 9 and has almost completely overcome it. He just does it sometimes at home.

Our Dr told us it was normal because it is a part of the body they dont get to explore usually and it does feel good. I got in the habit of handing my son a wipe and he helps clean himself. Now that we are starting to potty train this has been helpful. It is also a part of learning how girls and boys are different. He has looked for my "boy part" in the bath and also for my husbands. We tell him boy part like you would say toe or something and the we move on. He has grown out of the touching for the most part.

I don't have a boy but I've read on other posting lists that this is totally normal and his way of discovering his body. Unless you think there's a discomfort that he's trying to alleviate, I'd say just lighten up and ignore it. It'll pass! It's even possible that your efforts are intensifying the situation.

He is 7 months old, let him explore his body. My son, now 2, had the same issue about redness and looked as if he might pull it off! Dont worry, he didnt, and your son wont either! It is good for him to be naked and learn about his body!

Yes lighten up, he's only 7 months old.

D.-

This is TOTAL NORMAL baby behavior! I know, its a little annoying, well maybe more than annoying, but boys start very early with this. My daughter(she's 10 months old) only does it a little...but I was a professional nanny for 10 years and took care of 6 boys. They all did this as soon as they could figure it out. Every time I dealt with it, when i was a nanny I would ask the doctor, and every time they said--its normal!
You could try having some "special toys" at the changing table, that he could grab onto, when you are changing him.
Good luck!

Children are naturally curious about their parts and how they work, especially those they cannot or don't get to see regularly. It is perfectly natural for him to be exhibiting this behavior. However, by now he has probably discovered that it feels good too. At 7 months there is not much you can do about it and trying to discourage him will only make him want to do it more. Keep his fingernails cut short and allow him to explore at appropriate times such as the bath.

If this is not just a phase with him, you will need to teach him as he gets older when and where this behavior is appropriate; in his bedroom alone or in the bathroom. My son that used to explore has mostly grown out of it although when he is relaxing in front of the TV in the evenings at times I notice him lightly brushing the area (outside his pajama pants, of course). For some children is calming for them. I just discreetly call him on it when I see it now and he stops. Try not to discourage your boy from discovering his body...his behavior is natural.

I'd say lighten up, it's natural. He's only 7 months old, just keep his finger nails clipped short and he'll be fine. :-)

Hi D.!

Your son is so normal :o) He's too young anyway to worry about things like this, in my opinion. When he gets to be 3ish, then you'll want to start making him understand that it's "private" to touch "that", so he should go in his room.. He probably won't ever go in his room, but at least you'll be getting him to understand that it's private, and NOT shameful.

For now, I wouldn't worry about it. Once he gets more mobile, he'll have more to do with his hands and it won't seem so constant!

:o) N.

D.,

I have two boys, 1 is 2 and the other 8 months. My 8 month old been doing the exact same thing since he was about 6 months. My 2 year old still does it occasionally in the bath, but would much rather play with toys. I think giving your son a toy during diaper changes is a good idea, so he won't stick his hands in the messy diaper. Otherwise, I don't think it is something to be concerned about. It is a phase that he will grow out of (then revert back when he becomes a man :) ). I think it is just a new discovery, like when they discover their feet.

Hope it makes you feel better that your son is not the only one out there that does it...it is completely normal.