15 Month Old Humping Behavior. Anyone Else Experienced This?

Crystal,
Thanks so much for writing in about this! My 17 month old son has been 'humping' his taggie for almost 3 months now! He does it before he falls asleep and then when he wakes up in the morning. I have tried to look up this behavior on the internet. There is not much out there about it. One woman who wrote in about it received responses from multiple women telling her how stupid she was to even speak of this behavior and that children don't do it. I have been so so worried about my son and scared to mention it. I wanted to ask his ped. on his 18 month appt., but I'm so nervous about it. Your writing in helped me alot! I can't thank you enough!
C.

My son is 3 1/2 years old and he still does this! I asked my pedi about it and he told me it was not abnormal and not to worry about it. Recently my sister told me that her almost 3 year old daughter does the same thing. I thought it was bizarre also, but it seems like there are a lot of kiddos who go through this stage!

I just thought I'd tell you - I used to do this! I called it "bouncing," it was a soothing rythym (can't spell that word, EVER) that helped me fall asleep. Almost like rocking myself to sleep. I wouldn't be concerned about it; though I did it when I was older I soon outgrew it.

I have a 3 year old son and a 8 1/2 month old son. I haven't seen the baby doing this yet, but I do remember my oldest son doing it. I just can't remember to what extent. I know it used to freak my hubby out, though! :)

Hey there Crystal,
Just thought that I'd let you know I have a 5yr old daughter that still does it. Shes been doing it since was just a few months old. I'm not embarrassed at all about it. We have rule about when and where it is inapproprate(sp). It used to really weird me out, I mean really , really weird me out. But I decided that my daughters comfort and security(she only does it when she's trying to fall asleep) was way more important to me than what any one else thinks.I know that its kind of creepy but lots of babies do it in utero and it still comforts them after birth. To me its the same idea as sucking their thumbs.
Hope it helps,
R.

My son is 19 months old and he has been doing the "humping" thing since he was very tiny. It is a little disturbing, but my pedi says it is a comfort thing and he will grow out of it. Boy, I hope he is right! It can be a little embarrasing when company is around.

K.

Hi!

I am so glad to know that it isn't just my child that does this. I have 5 children and only the youngest, my four yr old daughter,
has ever done this. She started at about 5 mo of age and still does it now when tired. I found it VERY odd behaviour and have never seen any other child do it. When she gets over tired I will catch her doing this humping motion in her room on her bed. We have told her that this behaviour is not allowed anywhere but in her own room when she goes to bed. It seems to be a comfort measure for her, but embarrasses me. I'm so relieved to know that others have also experienced this. Thanks for writing in.

My sister's daughter did this. Neither of her other 2 daughters did, but this youngest one did. She thought it was quite odd also. She is 2 1/2 now and I don't think she still does it, but it did go on for a pretty long time.

The only child I have ever seen do that was a little girl in my Day Care that was molested by her dad. He must have discovered he is getting pleasure doing this. I was reading a book on sex and children and it says they will experience sexual pleasure some will even reach orgazim. Babies will touch when diaper changing and like to play. I hope he grows out of it because that is embarrassing to take him in group things. Good Luck G.

Hey N.,

My brother used to do this also, he turned out just fine he is now 44 and happily married. I think these are things little boys do. :) hang in there

Your doctor is right...This is a sensory issue and your son needs this sensation in order to be able to settle down and sleep..We as adults want to put a sexual attachment to this behavior but it is not that at all. You will probably find that there are other little quirks your son does but you are not paying attention to it because the "humping" issue has you bothered. If you probably pay attention, there are probably textures from foods or other objects that drives your child to do odd little things...

I would suggest that if you find there are other things that your child is doing for sensory input, I would request the doctor refer you to an occupational therapist...I would be interested to know if he has started using language yet?

Wait till he goes to school; his teachers and classmates will be thrilled with the humping...

Here I am looking on line because my son is now 4-1/2 and I find him humping on the floor in his bedroom when I think he is playing or when watching tv. It started a long time ago but seems more freguent now. I am/was getting really worried!! This is not something you want to talk to anyone about.....so thank you all who posted something. I feel soooo much better. I thought it was because I feed him soy milk as a baby.